Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread Recipe
This Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread is a festive and delicious pull-apart bread perfect for holiday gatherings. Soft, homemade dough is layered with a savory blend of mozzarella, Parmesan, fresh herbs, and optional bacon or sausage, shaped into a Christmas tree design, and baked to golden perfection. It’s a fun centerpiece and irresistible appetizer for Christmas celebrations.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Snack, Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Italian-inspired
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F or 43°C)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Filling:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup chopped fresh herbs (like parsley and rosemary)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Optional: 1 cup cooked and crumbled bacon or sausage
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy. Add the olive oil, salt, and flour gradually. Mix until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Let It Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
- Shape the Bread: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Punch down the risen dough and roll it out into a rectangle (about 12×18 inches). Spread the cheese filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Form the Tree: Cut the dough into triangle shapes to resemble a Christmas tree. Carefully twist each triangle to form branches and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake: Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and the cheese is bubbly. Allow it to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, omit the bacon or sausage in the filling.
- Use fresh herbs for the best flavor, or substitute with 1 teaspoon dried parsley and ½ teaspoon dried rosemary if unavailable.
- Make sure the water is warm (not hot) to activate the yeast properly.
- This bread is best served warm but can be reheated in the oven for a few minutes if needed.
- You can customize the filling with your favorite cheeses or herbs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approximately 1/10th of the bread)
- Calories: 270 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: Christmas bread, cheesy bread, festive appetizer, pull-apart bread, holiday bread, mozzarella bread
Find it online: https://foodbylina.com/cheesy-christmas-tree-bread-recipe/
