Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread Recipe tastes like gooey mozzarella wrapped in garlicky, buttery dough with crisp edges and soft, steamy centers. It suits holiday snackers and party people, and it takes about 45 minutes total. I bake it every year and still lose track of time while shaping that little bread trunk.
Why Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread Recipe Is Worth It
Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread Recipe brings big payoff with simple ingredients and quick prep. You get a festive Christmas tree bread that pulls apart easily, stays tender inside, and lands that hit of garlic butter every time.
It doubles as a holiday appetizer and a kid-approved side, so it solves that pre-dinner munchies window. You also shape it on a single sheet pan, which keeps cleanup easy.
Ingredients You Need
- 1 pound fresh pizza dough, room temp for 30 minutes (store-bought from the deli case works great; Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods dough hold shape well)
- 12 to 14 ounces low-moisture mozzarella, cut into 30 to 32 small cubes (blocks melt cleaner than pre-shredded)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 to 4 garlic cloves, finely minced or 1 teaspoon jarred minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes, optional
- 1 large egg, beaten with 1 teaspoon water for egg wash
- 1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- Warm marinara for dipping (Rao’s tastes great and saves time)
- All-purpose flour for dusting
Equipment:
- Large sheet pan
- Parchment paper
- Mixing bowl and pastry brush
- Sharp knife or bench scraper
- Small saucepan or microwave-safe cup for butter
- Measuring spoons and cups
Quick Tips & substitutions
- Keep the dough cool but pliable. Warm dough sticks; fridge-cold dough fights you.
- Pinch seams tight so cheese stays inside. Face the seam down on the pan.
- Space the dough balls snugly for a neat tree that bakes as one pull-apart loaf.
- Brush garlic butter after baking for the best aroma and shine.
- Rotate the pan halfway for even browning.
- Swap dough: biscuit dough or crescent sheet dough both work; reduce bake time by a few minutes.
- Swap cheese: provolone, low-moisture fontina, or cheddar all melt well.
- No egg wash? Brush with olive oil instead.
- Gluten-free dough works; watch browning and add a few minutes if needed.
- Dairy-free option: use vegan butter and a good meltable plant-based mozzarella.
How to Make Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 25 minutes
- Total time: 45 minutes
- Heat the oven to 400°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Stir melted butter, olive oil, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a bowl. Set aside.
- Dust your board with flour. Cut the pizza dough into 30 to 32 equal pieces.
- Flatten one piece into a small round. Place a mozzarella cube in the center.
- Pull the edges up and over the cheese and pinch tight to seal. Place the ball seam-side down on the board. Repeat with all pieces.
- Arrange the balls on the prepared pan into a Christmas tree shape: start with a row of 8 at the base, then 7, 6, 5, 4, 2, and 1 at the top. Add 2 or 3 balls at the bottom as the trunk.
- Brush the dough balls lightly with egg wash. Sprinkle a pinch of kosher salt and black pepper over the top.
- Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until deep golden brown. Rotate the pan at the 12-minute mark.
- Brush the hot bread generously with the garlic butter mixture. Shower Parmesan over the top.
- Rest for 5 minutes so the cheese settles. Serve warm with marinara for dipping.
Simple Variations
- Pesto tree: Swap the parsley mix for 2 tablespoons basil pesto and skip red pepper flakes.
- Pepperoni pizza: Tuck a mini pepperoni slice with the cheese in each dough piece and serve with pizza sauce.
- Spinach-artichoke: Mix 1/2 cup chopped spinach and 1/4 cup chopped artichokes into the mozzarella cubes as you fill.
- Jalapeño popper: Add a small sliver of jalapeño and a dab of cream cheese with the mozzarella.
- Everything seasoning: Replace Italian seasoning with everything bagel seasoning and finish with chives.
Ways to Serve Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread
- Set it center stage on a board with a bowl of warm marinara and a second bowl of ranch.
- Pair with tomato soup or creamy potato chowder for a cozy lunch.
- Serve next to a roast, baked ham, or holiday lasagna as a cheesy side.
- Add a small bowl of chili crisp or hot honey for a sweet-heat twist.
- Sprinkle with extra parsley and pomegranate arils for a festive pop.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on a sheet pan at 325°F for 8 to 10 minutes until warm and melty. Freeze baked leftovers for up to 2 months; wrap tightly and reheat covered at 325°F until hot. Keep marinara separate and warm it right before serving.
Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread
Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread is a festive and delicious appetizer perfect for sharing during holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Using a sharp knife, score the bread in a crisscross pattern but do not cut all the way through.
- Mix melted butter, garlic, parsley, and Italian herbs in a bowl.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese into the cuts of the bread.
- Drizzle the butter mixture evenly over the bread.
- Wrap the bread in foil and bake for 15 minutes.
- Unwrap the foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve warm by pulling apart the sections of bread.
Notes
Serve as an appetizer during holiday parties. Add extra herbs or cooked bacon bits for additional flavor if desired.