There’s something truly magical about tearing into a warm, golden, cheesy bite of bread shaped like a festive tree. This Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe is not just a treat for your taste buds but also a total crowd-pleaser, perfect for holiday gatherings or any time you want to make the table feel extra special.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe quickly became a favorite in my holiday repertoire because it combines show-stopping presentation with simple, delicious flavors everyone adores. The pull-apart style makes it a social food, perfect for sharing and savoring together.
- Fun and Festive: The tree shape is charming and adds whimsy to your holiday table, creating an instant conversation starter.
- Pull-Apart Perfection: Whether it’s kids or adults, everyone loves pulling apart these cheesy, garlicky bites.
- Simple Ingredients: You don’t have to hunt for fancy items—common pantry staples come together to make magic.
- Quick and Adaptable: It’s ready in under an hour, and you can easily customize the cheese or seasoning to match your tastes.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe plays a role in balancing flavor, texture, and ease. Choosing the right cheese and dough sets you up for cheesy pull-apart goodness with crispy golden edges.
- Jumbo Biscuits: Using pre-made biscuit dough keeps things quick and fluffy, giving you soft, pillowy bread that bakes beautifully.
- Mozzarella Cheese Sticks: Mozzarella melts every time—gooey, stretchy, and mild—perfect for coating each bite in cheesy goodness.
- Butter (Salted): Adds richness and helps create that irresistibly shiny, golden crust.
- Garlic (Minced): Fresh garlic is key for that punch of savory aroma, making the bread extra mouthwatering.
- Italian Seasoning: A fragrant blend to elevate the flavor without overpowering, adding herbal notes.
- Egg (Beaten): Brushing this on the dough ensures a gorgeous golden finish and that perfect slight crisp.
- Optional Parmesan Cheese: A sprinkle for finishing adds a touch of savory saltiness and an extra layer of interest.
Make It Your Way
I often swap out the mozzarella for pepper jack or add a handful of shredded cheddar if I want a sharper kick. Trust me, customizing this bread to fit your mood or what’s in your fridge just makes it even more satisfying—and it’s so forgiving!
- Variation: One year, I added some finely chopped fresh rosemary to the garlic butter – it brought such a lovely piney aroma that paired perfectly with the Christmas tree theme.
- Dietary Modifications: Use dairy-free cheese and vegan butter to adapt this recipe for plant-based friends; the concept still shines.
- Make It Spicy: Sprinkle some red pepper flakes in the garlic butter for a gentle heat twist that guests will talk about.
- Make it Ahead: Keep the unbaked assembled tree chilled overnight to bake fresh for guests, saving prep-time on the big day.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients and Dough
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F and lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper—that makes cleanup a breeze! Cut each jumbo biscuit into four pieces, so you have 32 little squares. If you want to be precise, you’ll only need 31 for the tree, but having an extra lets you fix any mishaps or sneak a taste.
Step 2: Stuff Each Dough Piece with Cheese
Take a piece of dough and place a small piece of mozzarella cheese in the middle. Seal the edges carefully, rolling it into a smooth little ball. This step ensures you get that perfect oozy cheese in every pull-apart bite—don’t rush it, but don’t overstuff either to avoid oozing mess.
Step 3: Arrange the Tree and Egg-Wash
On your parchment-lined sheet, arrange the cheese balls into a Christmas tree shape with the seams side down—this helps the bread keep its shape during baking. Make sure they’re touching just enough so the bread pulls apart easily but still bakes in a cohesive mound. Whisk your egg and brush it gently all over the dough balls to get that golden crust.
Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake for 15-17 minutes, keeping an eye to avoid burning. If the top darkens too fast, a tent of foil will protect it while letting the inside cook through. Once done, your kitchen will smell absolutely incredible!
Step 5: Garlic Butter Glaze and Finishing Touches
While the bread bakes, melt your butter and mix in the minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Right after you pull the bread out of the oven, brush the garlic butter all over generously, and sprinkle on Parmesan cheese if you like—this adds a piquant bite and enhances the festive feel.
Top Tip
My go-to tip when making this Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe is to seal each dough ball carefully around the cheese to prevent leaks—no one wants a greasy mess in the oven! Also, brushing on that egg wash evenly helps get that beautiful golden color and shiny crust.
- Seal Securely: Pinch the dough edges tightly around the cheese, then roll gently so no gaps remain.
- Watch the Bake Time: Ovens vary, so start checking at 15 minutes to catch the perfect golden brown without burning.
- Brush While Hot: Apply the garlic butter right out of the oven to soak into the crust beautifully.
- Extra Herb Boost: Try adding fresh chopped parsley on top after baking for a fresh color pop and herbal brightness.
How to Serve Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe
Garnishes
I love finishing this bread with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or basil—that green contrast makes it look even more like a proper Christmas tree! A little grated Parmesan adds that salty sparkle that guests appreciate too.
Side Dishes
Pair this bread with classic marinara and pesto sauces for dipping—they complement the garlic and cheese perfectly. It’s also great alongside a fresh salad or a bowl of creamy tomato soup for a cozy meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday parties, I’ve arranged the tree on a festive platter with small bowls of dips around it. Adding little toothpicks nearby turns it into a fun finger food station that’s easy for guests to nibble while mingling.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover bread tightly or store it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days. I’ve found that reheating in a toaster oven or air fryer helps restore its crisp exterior while keeping the cheese melty inside.
Freezing
This bread freezes wonderfully! I freeze the unbaked assembled tree wrapped well in plastic wrap, and when I’m ready, I bake it straight from the freezer, adding a couple of extra minutes to the bake time.
Reheating
To enjoy leftovers, a quick reheat in the microwave works if you’re in a hurry, but I prefer the air fryer or toaster oven for crispier edges. Just a few minutes at medium heat, and it tastes freshly baked again.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While mozzarella is classic for its meltiness, you can mix in cheddar, pepper jack, or even a blend of cheeses to suit your taste. Just keep the pieces small enough to seal inside the dough.
You can assemble the bread a day in advance and keep it refrigerated, covered tightly with plastic wrap. Bake fresh on the day you want to serve it. This is a great time saver for busy holiday days.
Yes! Substitute the butter with a vegan spread and choose dairy-free cheese sticks that melt well. The biscuit dough can be replaced with your favorite vegan dough option or homemade recipe.
Marinara and pesto are my favorites—they enhance the garlic and herb flavors beautifully. You could also try ranch, garlic aioli, or even a spicy arrabbiata sauce for a little kick.
Final Thoughts
This Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe has become a holiday tradition for me because it’s so easy to make, delicious, and brings a bit of festive fun to every celebration. Whether you’re serving it crowded around the table or enjoying it in a quiet moment with a cup of tea, I promise you’ll love how it pulls everyone in—literally and figuratively! Grab your dough, cheese, and garlic, and give it a try. It’s one of those recipes that tastes like a warm hug from the oven.
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Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 31 cheese balls
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Pull-Apart Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread is a festive and fun appetizer perfect for sharing during the holidays. Soft biscuit dough is filled with gooey mozzarella, baked to golden perfection, and brushed with a flavorful garlic butter and Italian seasoning. Serve with marinara or pesto sauce for an irresistible crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Dough and Cheese
- 16 oz can jumbo biscuits, each biscuit cut into fourths
- 7-8 mozzarella cheese sticks, cut into 31 pieces
Butter Mixture
- 4 tablespoon salted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
Other
- 1 large egg, beaten
- Optional: grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Prepare Dough and Cheese: Cut each biscuit into fourths to yield 32 pieces; you will use 31 pieces. Cut mozzarella sticks into 31 pieces to match the dough pieces.
- Assemble Cheese Balls: Place a small portion of mozzarella cheese on each dough square. Seal the edges securely by pinching the dough closed, then roll each sealed piece smoothly between your hands to form a ball.
- Shape the Tree: Arrange the dough balls on the lined baking sheet, forming a tree shape with the seams facing downward. Make sure the balls slightly touch each other to allow pull-apart effect.
- Brush with Egg Wash: Whisk the beaten egg and gently brush it over the entire dough tree to promote golden browning during baking.
- Bake: Bake the shaped dough for 17 minutes or until golden brown. Keep an eye on it, and if the bread browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil to prevent burning.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: While the bread bakes, melt the butter and mix in the minced garlic and Italian seasoning.
- Apply Garlic Butter and Garnish: When the bread is out of the oven, brush the garlic butter mixture all over the rolls. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top if desired for extra flavor.
- Serve: Serve the pull-apart cheesy garlic bread warm, accompanied by marinara or pesto sauce for dipping.
Notes
- You can prepare the unbaked Christmas tree a day ahead by assembling it on the baking sheet and covering it in the fridge. Bake when ready to serve.
- For serving, offer pesto and marinara sauces as dips, and toothpicks if serving a crowd for easy sharing.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and reheated in the microwave or air fryer.
- Keep any leftover garlic butter in a sealed container for use on baked potatoes, extra garlic bread, or other recipes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cheese ball
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
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