Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread Recipe | Cheesy Holiday Appetizer
I’m so excited to share my version of Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread, because when I made it for the first time, it turned into an instant holiday favorite. I remember pulling apart gooey, cheesy bites right off the little “tree,” and my guests were instantly charmed.
It feels festive, fun, and surprisingly easy to throw together. If you like cheesy finger food or holiday-themed treats, you’ll love how this recipe brings joy and flavor. just like the Christmas Charcuterie Board Recipe that’s perfect for holiday entertaining. Let me take you through the steps so you can wow your friends and family.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you’ll need (for about 32 pull-apart pieces).
- 4 mozzarella string cheese sticks – cut each into 4 little pieces so the cheese melts inside the dough.
- 4 Colby-Monterey Jack string cheese sticks – these give a mild, creamy contrast.
- 1 (16 oz) can large biscuits (such as Pillsbury Grands, about 8 biscuits) – their soft, airy dough works great.
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter – for brushing over the dough to help browning and flavor.
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder – adds a gentle garlic hint without overpowering.
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning – a blend of dried herbs to boost aroma.
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley – for a fresh green garnish that also adds visual appeal.
- 3 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese – gives a salty, nutty finish on the top.
- 1 cup pizza sauce (or your favorite marinara) – for dipping alongside.
Note: serves about 32 small cheesy bread bites.
Variations
You can adapt this recipe in different ways to suit dietary restrictions or flavor preferences:
- Dairy-free version: use dairy-free cheese sticks (or shredded vegan mozzarella) and substitute vegan butter.
- Lower sugar / lighter sauce: use a no-sugar-added marinara or tomato purée with herbs.
- Add flavor boosters: mix in finely chopped cooked pepperoni, crumbled cooked sausage, or bits of cooked bacon inside some of the dough balls.
- Herbed twist: stir minced fresh basil or oregano into the butter before brushing to enhance the herbal profile.
- Cheese swap: use Colby, cheddar, or Gouda (in stick or cubed form) instead of string cheeses.
If you enjoy experimenting with festive desserts after your savory creations, you might also love trying the Christmas Trifles Recipe — it’s colorful, creamy, and layered with holiday charm.
Cooking Time
Here’s how the time breaks down:
- Prep Time: ~15 minutes
- Cooking (baking) Time: ~15–17 minutes
- Total Time: ~30–35 minutes
Equipment You Need
- Baking sheet – to bake and shape the “tree.”
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat – so the bread lifts easily and doesn’t stick.
- Pastry brush – to brush the butter and seasonings over top.
- Mixing bowl – to melt and combine butter + seasonings.
- Knife – to cut the cheese sticks and bisect the biscuit dough.
How to Make a Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread Recipe?
Shape the dough and cheese
Start by slicing each cheese stick into 4 pieces to get 32 total cheese cubes. Then open the biscuit can, separate into 8 biscuits, and cut each biscuit into 4 pieces (totaling 32). Roll each small biscuit piece into a little ball.
Fill and pinch
Take one dough ball, press a piece of cheese inside, pinch the seams tightly to seal it, and then gently roll it into a smooth ball again. Repeat for all 32 dough-cheese balls.
Arrange the tree
On your lined baking sheet, place the seam-side down dough balls side by side in a Christmas-tree shape: start with one at the top, then rows of 2, 3, 4, etc., narrowing at the top and widening toward the base.
Brush, bake, and finish
Melt the butter and stir in garlic powder + Italian seasoning. Brush this mixture all over the tops of your dough balls. Bake at 375 °F (190 °C) for 15–17 minutes or until golden. If you want an extra crisp top, broil very briefly (watch closely). Finally, sprinkle with parsley and Parmesan while still warm. Serve with warmed pizza sauce on the side.
Additional Tips for Making this Recipe Better
From my own experience baking this, here are a few tips:
- I always pinch seams tightly so the cheese doesn’t leak out during baking.
- I chill the filled dough balls for 5 minutes before arranging, it helps them keep shape.
- I brush extra butter mid-bake if the tops look dry.
- I let the bread rest 2 minutes after baking before topping so the cheese settles a bit.
- I slide the parchment off the tray onto a platter—it makes serving easier.
How to Serve Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread Recipe?
Serve this golden “tree” on a large flat platter. Garnish with extra parsley and a dusting of Parmesan. Place a small ramekin of warm pizza sauce at the base (like a trunk) so guests can dip.
Encourage people to pull off their own cheesy bites. It also pairs nicely with a holiday punch, soup, or salad on the side. For extra festivity, you could sprinkle red pepper flakes or drizzle a bit of olive oil with chopped fresh basil before serving.
Nutritional Information
Here’s a rough idea per one pull-apart piece:
- Calories: ~82 kcal
- Protein: ~3 g
- Carbohydrates: ~8 g
- Fat: ~5 g
Make Ahead and Storage
Storage (Refrigerator)
Once cooled, store leftovers in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing
I don’t recommend freezing the fully baked tree—it can get soggy. However, you could assemble the filled dough balls, freeze them (uncooked, spaced apart), then bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to baking time.
Reheating / Restoring
To reheat, place in a 300 °F (about 150 °C) oven for several minutes until warmed through. You can also use an air fryer’s reheat function. Avoid microwaving too long or the dough will get tough.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
Here’s why I think this Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread is a winner:
- It’s so easy to put together — just biscuit dough and cheese, no fancy techniques.
- It’s fun and festive — shaped like a Christmas tree, it becomes a centerpiece.
- It’s versatile — you can swap cheeses, add meats, or go dairy-free.
- It’s shareable — guests can pull apart pieces and enjoy.
- It delivers warm, melty, comforting flavors with minimal effort.
Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Start by slicing each cheese stick into 4 pieces to get 32 total cheese cubes. Then open the biscuit can, separate into 8 biscuits, and cut each biscuit into 4 pieces (totaling 32). Roll each small biscuit piece into a little ball.
- Take one dough ball, press a piece of cheese inside, pinch the seams tightly to seal it, and then gently roll it into a smooth ball again. Repeat for all 32 dough-cheese balls.
- On your lined baking sheet, place the seam-side down dough balls side by side in a Christmas-tree shape: start with one at the top, then rows of 2, 3, 4, etc., narrowing at the top and widening toward the base.
- Melt the butter and stir in garlic powder + Italian seasoning. Brush this mixture all over the tops of your dough balls. Bake at 375 °F (190 °C) for 15–17 minutes or until golden. If you want an extra crisp top, broil very briefly (watch closely). Finally, sprinkle with parsley and Parmesan while still warm. Serve with warmed pizza sauce on the side.
Notes
- I always pinch seams tightly so the cheese doesn’t leak out during baking.
- I chill the filled dough balls for 5 minutes before arranging, it helps them keep shape.
- I brush extra butter mid-bake if the tops look dry.
- I let the bread rest 2 minutes after baking before topping so the cheese settles a bit.
- I slide the parchment off the tray onto a platter—it makes serving easier.
