Garlic-Parmesan Pull-Apart Christmas Tree Recipe
This Garlic-Parmesan Pull-Apart Christmas Tree is a festive and delicious appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Soft, cheesy dough balls wrapped around mozzarella pearls, brushed with garlic butter, and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese form a beautiful, shareable tree that’s both visually impressive and irresistibly tasty. Served warm with marinara sauce for dipping, it’s a crowd-pleasing starter that combines gooey cheese with aromatic garlic and herbs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough Balls
- Refrigerated pizza dough, enough to cut into 24 pieces
- 24 mozzarella pearls
For the Garlic Butter Topping
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
For Serving
- 1 cup warm marinara sauce
- Parchment paper
- Baking sheet
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Prepare Dough Pieces: Cut the refrigerated pizza dough into 24 equal pieces. Wrap each piece securely around a mozzarella pearl, sealing the dough completely around the cheese to prevent leakage during baking.
- Arrange Tree Shape: Arrange the dough-wrapped mozzarella balls on the prepared baking sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree: start with a single piece at the top and increase the number of pieces in each row below to form a triangular tree pattern.
- Make Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, and chopped parsley. Stir well to blend all the flavors.
- Brush and Sprinkle: Generously brush the garlic butter mixture evenly over the entire arranged dough tree, making sure all pieces are coated. Then sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the top for an added burst of flavor and to achieve a beautiful golden-brown finish when baked.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and cooked through and the mozzarella inside is melted and gooey.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Offer with warm marinara sauce for dipping, perfect for sharing during holiday celebrations.
Notes
- Make sure to seal the dough tightly around the mozzarella pearls to prevent cheese from oozing out during baking.
- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor in the garlic butter mixture.
- For an extra kick, sprinkle some red pepper flakes over the tree before baking.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the gooey melted cheese inside each pull-apart piece.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the oven for a few minutes to regain crispiness.
Keywords: Garlic Parmesan, Pull-Apart Bread, Christmas Tree Appetizer, Holiday Appetizer, Cheese Bread, Mozzarella Balls, Party Food
