Christmas Tree Pizza Bread –

Christmas Tree Pizza Bread Recipe

This holiday season, bring a touch of festive fun to your table with Christmas Tree Pizza Bread. This delightful recipe combines the universally loved flavors of pizza with a whimsical, shareable shape that’s perfect for gatherings. Imagine warm, soft bread filled with savory pizza sauce and gooey melted cheese, all arranged to look like a Christmas tree. It’s an appetizer that’s as enjoyable to make as it is to eat, and it’s guaranteed to be a hit with both kids and adults.

This pull-apart bread is not just a treat for the taste buds; it’s a centerpiece. The combination of simple ingredients and a creative presentation makes it an ideal addition to any holiday party or family dinner. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or new to the kitchen, this guide will walk you through creating this delicious and visually stunning dish. Get ready to impress your guests and create some delicious holiday memories.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to create this festive pizza bread. We’ve included some suggestions for high-quality products you can find on Amazon to make your shopping easier.

• Pizza Dough: 1 pound of store-bought pizza dough or your favorite homemade recipe.
• Pizza Sauce: 1 cup of your preferred pizza sauce. For a rich, classic flavor, we recommend Rao’s Homemade Pizza Sauce.
• Cheese: 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese. A low-moisture, whole-milk mozzarella like Galbani Mozzarella Cheese melts beautifully. You can also add 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan for extra flavor.
• Herbs: 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish. A sprig of rosemary for the “tree trunk” is a nice touch.
• Butter Mixture:
  • 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted.
  • 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
  • 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano or Italian seasoning.
• Flour: All-purpose flour for dusting your work surface. King Arthur All-Purpose Flour is a reliable choice for any baking project.
• Optional Toppings: Mini pepperonis, diced bell peppers, or black olives.

Equipment Needed

Having the right tools makes the process smooth and enjoyable. Here are the kitchen essentials for this recipe, with links to our top picks on Amazon.

• Baking Sheet: A large, rimmed baking sheet is essential. We recommend the Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker’s Half Sheet.
• Parchment Paper: To prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
• Pizza Cutter or Knife: For cutting the dough into uniform squares. A sharp OXO Good Grips Pizza Wheel works perfectly.
• Mixing Bowls: You’ll need a small bowl for the butter mixture. Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowls are a kitchen staple.
• Pastry Brush: For applying the garlic butter mixture. A silicone brush like the OXO Good Grips Silicone Basting & Pastry Brush is easy to clean.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to assemble and bake your festive pizza bread.

1. Prepare Your Workspace and Dough:

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the pizza dough into a large rectangle, about 12×18 inches. If using store-bought dough, let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes first to make it easier to work with.

2. Assemble the Pizza Pockets:

• Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the dough into approximately 3-inch squares. You should get about 24-30 squares.
• Place a small spoonful of pizza sauce (about 1/2 teaspoon) and a pinch of shredded mozzarella cheese in the center of each dough square. If you’re using other toppings like mini pepperoni, add them now.
• Carefully fold the corners of each square up and pinch them together to form a small, sealed ball. Ensure the seams are tightly sealed to prevent the filling from leaking out during baking.

3. Arrange the Christmas Tree:

• Place the filled dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, seam-side down.
• Arrange them in the shape of a Christmas tree. Start with a single ball at the top, then create rows with an increasing number of balls (e.g., a row of two, then three, then four, and so on) to form the triangular shape of the tree.
• Use a few remaining balls to create a “trunk” at the base of the tree.

4. Bake to Perfection:

• While the tree is resting, prepare the garlic butter. In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, garlic powder, and dried oregano.
• Brush the garlic butter mixture evenly over the entire surface of the pizza bread tree.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese inside is melted and bubbly.

5. Garnish and Serve:

• Once out of the oven, let the pizza bread cool for a few minutes.
• Brush with any remaining garlic butter, if desired.
• Garnish with freshly chopped parsley to mimic evergreen needles and place a rosemary sprig at the base for the trunk.
• Serve warm with extra pizza sauce for dipping.

Baking Tips and Tricks

• Dough Handling: Don’t overwork your pizza dough. Handle it just enough to shape it. If the dough is too elastic and keeps shrinking back, let it rest for 10-15 minutes to allow the gluten to relax.
• Cheese Melting: For the best “cheese pull,” use low-moisture, whole-milk mozzarella. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can prevent it from melting as smoothly, so shredding your own from a block is a great option.
• Prevent Burning: Keep an eye on the tree as it bakes. If the top starts to brown too quickly, you can lightly tent it with aluminum foil for the last few minutes of baking.
• Seal a Deal: Make sure your dough balls are sealed very tightly. This is the key to keeping the delicious sauce and cheese inside while it bles.

Creative Variations

This recipe is wonderfully adaptable. Here are a few ideas to customize your Christmas Tree Pizza Bread:

• Pesto and Ricotta: Swap the pizza sauce for pesto and use a mix of ricotta and mozzarella for a creamy, herbaceous filling.
• Spicy Pepperoni: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to your pizza sauce and use spicy pepperoni for a version with a kick.
• Four Cheese: Use a blend of mozzarella, Parmesan, provolone, and asiago for an extra cheesy delight.
• Veggie-Loaded: Fill the pockets with finely diced bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and olives for a vegetarian-friendly option.
• Sweet Treat: For a dessert version, fill the dough balls with Nutella or a mix of cinnamon sugar and cream cheese. Brush the top with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar before baking.

Read More: 5 Easy & Fun Christmas Snacks for Kids

A New Holiday Tradition

This Christmas Tree Pizza Bread is more than just an appetizer; it’s a festive activity and a delicious centerpiece all in one. It brings people together and adds a memorable, tasty touch to your holiday celebrations. The simple steps and versatile nature of this recipe make it easy to adapt to your family’s tastes, ensuring it will become a requested favorite year after year.

We encourage you to get creative in the kitchen and make this recipe your own. When you do, share your beautiful and delicious creations with us on social media! Tag us and use the hashtag #ChristmasTreePizza so we can see your festive masterpiece.