Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread

If you’re looking for a cozy, crave-worthy recipe to bring to your next holiday gathering, this Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread has your name written all over it. Imagine soft, buttery dough wrapped around gooey mozzarella, baked to golden perfection, and topped with garlic herb butter. Sounds like something you’d want to tear into straight out of the oven, right? That’s exactly the kind of holiday magic this bread delivers. This recipe is not just a snack; it’s a centerpiece, a conversation starter, and frankly, the kind of Christmas appetizer bread that disappears faster than Santa up the chimney.

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Why This Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread Is a Must-Bake

First of all, we’re working with minimal ingredients and maximum payoff. This cheesy pull apart Christmas bread is made using refrigerated pizza dough, so there’s no need to fuss over making bread from scratch.

You get all the warm, homemade feels without needing to be a pro baker. Shaped like a tree, it doubles as a festive table decoration. And let’s not ignore the real winner here: melty, gooey mozzarella cheese tucked inside every bite. Whether you’re serving this as a holiday tree bread appetizer or as a side to your big Christmas dinner, it brings both flavor and fun to the table.

Also, this is hands-on, edible holiday crafting at its finest. Kids love helping out with the dough balls, and adults? They love eating them. Everybody wins.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread

You don’t need much to pull off this holiday pull apart bread, but each ingredient packs its own punch:

• Refrigerated pizza dough – The foundation. It bakes up buttery and fluffy with zero effort.
• Mozzarella cheese sticks – Slice into bite-sized pieces for melty pockets of cheese.
• Butter – Melted and mixed with garlic and herbs for that flavor-loaded topping.
• Fresh garlic – Minced fine. Don’t skip this; it’s essential for that garlic butter cheese bread vibe.
• Parmesan cheese – Nutty, salty, and perfect for sprinkling.
• Parsley, rosemary, basil – Choose your favorites, or go wild with all three.
• Egg – Used for egg wash to give that golden-brown finish.
• Marinara or pesto – Because cheesy Christmas tree bread demands a good dip.

If you want to experiment, try stuffing some of the balls with a bit of cooked sausage or roasted red pepper for an extra festive touch.

How to Make Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread (Step-by-Step)

This is where the fun really starts. Follow along, and don’t be afraid to get a little messy.

Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Set your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper so nothing sticks.

Step 2: Cut the Dough
Roll out your refrigerated pizza dough and slice it into roughly 30 squares. They don’t have to be perfect—this is holiday baking, not geometry class.

Step 3: Add the Cheese
Cut your mozzarella sticks into 1-inch pieces. Place one piece in the center of each dough square, then wrap the dough around it and pinch the edges to seal. You now have stuffed bread balls.

Step 4: Shape Your Tree
Place your dough balls seam-side down in a Christmas tree shape on the baking sheet. Triangle-style works best: 7 balls at the base, tapering up to 1 at the top, and a little trunk of 2-3 balls at the bottom.

Step 5: Egg Wash
Beat your egg and brush it over the dough balls. This gives your cheesy pull apart Christmas bread a beautiful golden-brown crust.

Step 6: Bake It
Slide your tray into the oven and bake for 16-18 minutes, or until the dough is puffed and golden.

Step 7: Make the Garlic Herb Butter
While it bakes, melt butter in a small pan and stir in your minced garlic and chopped herbs. You’ll want to bathe in the smell. Don’t. Just brush it on the bread when it comes out.

Step 8: Finish and Serve
Once your holiday pull apart bread is out of the oven, immediately brush it with the garlic herb butter and sprinkle with grated parmesan. Serve warm with marinara, pizza sauce, or pesto.

Make-Ahead and Freezer Tips for Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread

If you’re running around like a holiday maniac (we’ve all been there), this cheesy pull apart Christmas bread can be assembled ahead of time.

• Make the dough balls and assemble them into the tree shape.
• Freeze them on a baking sheet (no egg wash yet!).
• Once solid, store in a freezer bag.
• When ready to bake, thaw, brush with egg wash, and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.

This little time-saver makes it one of the best freezer-friendly Christmas recipes you’ll keep coming back to.

How to Serve Your Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread

This isn’t just any bread; it’s the ultimate festive finger food. Whether you’re hosting a party or just vibing in PJs on Christmas Eve, this bread fits the moment.

Serving Suggestions:

• Pair with a rich tomato soup or creamy lasagna soup.
• Serve with a side salad and turn it into a light holiday lunch.
• Add to your appetizer spread alongside our Italian appetizer inspiration.
• Make it part of brunch with our holiday brunch pairing option.
• Or enjoy it next to a main course like our garlic butter meal pairing.

Tips to Customize Your Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread

Want to go off-script? Here’s how:

• Add cooked bacon or sausage to the cheese filling.
• Use crescent roll dough if you’re out of pizza dough—it’s just as buttery. Need ideas? Check our crescent roll holiday ideas.
• Use flavored mozzarella or smoked provolone.
• Turn this into a sweet-salty combo by adding a brush of honey butter on top.

Quick Recipe Summary

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 16-18 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Serves: 6-8 as an appetizer
• Cuisine: American Holiday
• Main Dish Type: Appetizer, Side
• Focus Keyword: Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread

Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread

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• Author: Jake
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6-8 servings

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Description

This Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread is a cozy, crave-worthy holiday centerpiece—fluffy dough wrapped around gooey mozzarella, shaped into a Christmas tree, and brushed with garlic herb butter. It’s festive, fun, and unbelievably delicious.

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Ingredients

• 1 can refrigerated pizza dough
• 6 mozzarella cheese sticks, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• 1 teaspoon chopped rosemary (optional)
• 1 teaspoon chopped basil (optional)
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
• Marinara or pesto, for dipping

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Roll out the pizza dough and cut it into approximately 30 squares.
3. Place a piece of mozzarella in each dough square, wrap and seal into a ball.
4. Arrange dough balls seam-side down in a Christmas tree shape on the baking sheet.
5. Brush the dough balls with beaten egg for a golden crust.
6. Bake for 16-18 minutes, until puffed and golden brown.
7. While baking, melt butter and stir in garlic and herbs.
8. Once out of the oven, brush bread with garlic herb butter and sprinkle with parmesan.
9. Serve warm with marinara or pesto for dipping.

Notes

To make ahead, assemble and freeze the dough balls in the tree shape (without egg wash). Bake directly from frozen at 350°F for about 20 minutes.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 18 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baked
• Cuisine: American Holiday

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 piece
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 350mg
• Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 16g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 7g
• Cholesterol: 25mg

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread is the kind of recipe that’s going to get you repeat invites during the holidays. It’s warm, cheesy, festive, and practically foolproof.

Even if your tree shape turns into more of a holiday blob, trust me—no one will care once they take that first bite. So tie on that apron, grab your dough, and get ready to bring some serious joy (and cheese) to the table.

For more cozy kitchen inspiration, try our cheesy breakfast pizza variation or end your meal with a sweet dessert idea to pair.

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