Garlic-Parmesan Pull-Apart Christmas Tree Recipe
This festive Garlic-Parmesan Pull-Apart Christmas Tree is a fun and delicious appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Made by wrapping mozzarella pearls in pizza dough, then arranged in a tree shape and brushed with a flavorful garlic butter-parmesan mixture, this recipe bakes to golden perfection and pairs beautifully with warm marinara sauce for dipping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Total Time: 30-33 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6-8 as an appetizer 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough and Cheese
- Refrigerated pizza dough, enough to cut into 24 pieces
- 24 mozzarella pearls
For the Garlic Butter
- 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 facilitate easy cleanup.
- Prepare Dough Pieces: Cut the refrigerated pizza dough into 24 equal pieces. Take each piece and wrap it securely around a mozzarella pearl, sealing the dough completely around the cheese to prevent leakage during baking.
- Arrange Tree Shape: On the prepared baking sheet, arrange the dough-wrapped mozzarella balls in the shape of a Christmas tree, starting with a single piece at the top and increasing rows below to form a triangular tree pattern.
- Make Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, and chopped parsley, stirring well to blend all flavors.
- Brush and Sprinkle: Generously brush the garlic butter mixture over the entire arranged dough tree, ensuring all pieces are coated. Then sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top for added flavor and a beautiful golden finish.
- 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 cheese inside is melted and gooey.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Serve warm with a side of warm marinara sauce for dipping, perfect for sharing during your holiday celebrations.
Notes
- Ensure the dough is wrapped tightly around the mozzarella to prevent cheese from leaking during baking.
- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor in the garlic butter mixture.
- You can substitute mozzarella pearls with small mozzarella balls if pearls are unavailable.
- This recipe is great for a crowd and can be scaled up or down easily.
- Warm the marinara sauce before serving for optimal taste.
Keywords: garlic parmesan pull apart, holiday appetizer, Christmas tree bread, mozzarella pull apart, festive appetizer, garlic butter bread, party food
