Description
This Pull-Apart Holiday Tree is a festive, cheesy appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Made with mozzarella-stuffed pizza dough balls shaped into a Christmas tree and brushed with a flavorful herb and Parmesan butter, it’s both visually impressive and delicious. Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping.
Ingredients
Cheese and Dough
- 7 mozzarella sticks
- All-purpose flour, for dusting
- 1 lb. store-bought or homemade pizza dough, room temperature
Egg Wash
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp. water
Herb Butter Topping
- 4 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
- 1 oz. Parmesan, finely grated (about 1/2 cup), plus more for serving
- 1 tbsp. finely chopped fresh parsley, plus more for serving
- 1 tbsp. finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tbsp. thinly sliced fresh basil
For Serving
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Warmed marinara sauce
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Cheese: Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 450°F. Cut each mozzarella stick into 5 pieces to prepare for stuffing.
- Shape Dough Balls: On a lightly floured surface, divide the pizza dough in half. Roll each half into an 18-inch by 4-inch rectangle. Cut the dough into 2-inch squares, about 33 in total. Wrap each square tightly around a piece of mozzarella, sealing each into a ball to enclose the cheese completely.
- Arrange Tree Shape: Place the dough balls seam side down, touching each other, on a parchment-lined baking sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree as shown in the recipe’s photo or diagram.
- Egg Wash: In a small bowl, beat the egg with 1 tablespoon of water. Brush this egg wash generously over the tops of the dough balls to promote golden browning.
- Bake: Bake the arranged tree in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes until the dough balls are golden brown and the cheese inside is melted.
- Apply Herb Butter and Garnish: While baking or immediately after removing from the oven, whisk together melted butter, grated Parmesan, chopped parsley, rosemary, and basil. Brush this mixture over the hot dough balls. Sprinkle extra Parmesan, parsley, and crushed red pepper flakes on top for garnish.
- Serve: Serve the Pull-Apart Holiday Tree warm with a bowl of warmed marinara sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Ensure the dough balls are tightly sealed to prevent cheese from leaking during baking.
- You can prepare this ahead and refrigerate before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
- Substitute fresh herbs with dried versions at about one-third the quantity if fresh are unavailable.
- Use homemade pizza dough for best flavor or store-bought for convenience.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.