Pesto Pull-Apart Christmas Tree Bread
Pesto Pull-Apart Christmas Tree Bread – This simple appetizer will be a hit at your holiday gatherings! Pizza dough balls are rolled around mozzarella cheese and baked together in a festive tree-shape. Brush some pesto on at the end and serve with a side of sauce and you have the tastiest party snack!
‘Tis the season for all the fun and festive holiday goodies. As much as I love a Christmas cookie spread, I always like mixing up good savory recipes to serve. This Pesto Pull-Apart Christmas Tree is stuffed with mozzarella cheese, baked until golden, and brushed with tasty pesto sauce. You can make this as simple as you’d like by using pre-made pizza dough, your favorite jarred pesto sauce, and pizza sauce for dipping.
To make this Pesto Pull-Apart Christmas Tree, you will need:
- prepared pizza dough (homemade or store bought)
- mozzarella string cheese
- olive oil
- salt
- Italian seasoning
- egg
- pesto sauce
- pizza sauce (for dipping)
Recipe Tips and Suggestions:
- You can use either homemade or store bought dough for this recipe. Whatever you choose, you will want to make sure the dough is workable enough to roll out into rectangles so you can cut 33 pieces. Canned pizza dough (like Pillsbury) is easier to work with if you want to make this as simple as possible.
- I find it easier to divide the dough in half and create two long rectangles and roll out enough to be able to get 16-17 squares of about 2 inches.
- If you would prefer to serve the pesto on the side, you can instead melt butter and mix with seasonings and Parmesan cheese to brush on top instead of the pesto. I do sprinkle some seasonings on top before baking, but I would at least do some melted butter and additional seasonings if serving the pesto on the side.
- I would not recommend making this in advance as I think it is best enjoyed fresh from the oven while the dough balls have that slight crisp on the outside and warm melty cheese inside.
- You could also arrange the dough balls into a wreath shape if you don’t want to do a Christmas tree!
Looking for more savory holiday appetizers? Check these out!
Pesto Puff Pastry Christmas Trees
Asparagus & Bacon Wrapped Puff Pastries
Pesto Pull-Apart Christmas Tree Bread
Pesto Pull-Apart Christmas Tree - Pizza dough balls stuffed with mozzarella cheese and baked together in a festive tree-shape topped with pesto!
Ingredients
- 1 pound prepared pizza dough
- 7 mozzarella string cheese sticks
- 1 large egg
- salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3/4 cup prepared pesto
- pizza sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Brush some olive oil over the a baking sheet. Divide the pizza dough in half. Roll out each half to about 12 inches in length and 4 inches wide. Slice into 2-inch squares.
- Unwrap the mozzarella sticks. Cut each mozzarella stick into 5 pieces.
- Take one square of dough and place into the middle of the dough. Roll the dough around the cheese, pinching and smoothing to seal. Repeat with remaining squares and arrange as shown in photos into a tree shape with a star at the top and base at the bottom.
- Add egg to a small bowl, add one tablespoon of water and whisk to combine. Brush the egg wash over the dougn balls. Sprinkle a bit of salt and the Italian seasoning over the top. Bake in the oven for approximately 20-25 minutes or until golden.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 2 minutes. Brush or spoon desired amount of pesto over the top. If desired, can also sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on top to look like snow. Serve the pull-apart bread along with a bowl of warmed pizza sauce.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
10Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 264Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 488mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 10g
