The festive holiday appetizer that always disappears first.

When it comes to easy holiday appetizers that look impressive but secretly take almost no time (aka my entire December personality), this Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Christmas Tree Bread is that recipe. It’s cute, cozy, incredibly delicious, and built for sharing… though full honesty? I could absolutely take down half this tree by myself while wrapping presents and yelling “WHO TOOK MY SCISSORS AGAIN?!” at my kids.

This is the kind of recipe that makes you feel like a holiday genius: minimal ingredients, inexpensive, quick, zero stress, and it still looks like you spent hours crafting something magical. It’s soft, cheesy, garlicky, buttery, golden, and perfect for dipping into warm marinara. If you’re hosting, bringing a dish, going to a cookie exchange, or heading to a holiday potluck, save this. Bookmark this. Tattoo it on your arm. (Kidding…) But really, this will be your signature December recipe. Plus its just so cute!

Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Christmas Tree Bread

Here’s the thing: this Christmas tree bread is dangerously easy.

⭐ Only 10 minutes of hands-on prep

You’re basically cutting dough, stuffing cheese, rolling balls, and arranging them like a tree. Truly that simple.

⭐ Looks like a showstopper

People love holiday-shaped foods. It photographs beautifully, which means? Great for Pinterest, Instagram, and Google Web Stories.

⭐ Huge crowd pleaser

Soft, warm pizza dough + gooey cheese + garlic butter = unstoppable.

⭐ Versatile & affordable

You can make it with store-bought dough, leftover dough, or your favorite homemade pizza dough. It feeds a crowd without blowing your grocery budget.

⭐ Your kids will devour it

Mine love anything pull-apart and cheesy. This disappears faster than I can say “stop touching the ornaments.”

⭐ Perfect for dipping

Warm marinara on the side takes it to the next level and gives that festive red Christmas pop.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything that goes into this cozy holiday pull-apart tree:

• 1 lb pizza dough
• 1.5 cups mozzarella, shredded
• 1/4 cup parmesan, grated
• 4 tbsp melted butter
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp parsley, chopped
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• Salt & chili flakes, to taste
• Marinara, for dipping

Ingredient Tips:

• Use low-moisture mozzarella so the dough doesn’t get soggy.

• Fresh garlic > garlic powder for this recipe.

• If you want extra festive vibes, sprinkle on chopped basil, rosemary, or even a “snowfall” of parmesan.

How to Make Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Christmas Tree Bread

Step 1 — Preheat

Bake at 400°F so your dough gets that perfect golden crust.

Step 2 — Cut & fill the dough

Cut the pizza dough into even pieces.

Fill with a pinch of mozzarella and parmesan.

Roll each into a tight little ball, the tighter, the better the cheese stays inside.

Step 3 — Shape it

Arrange your dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a Christmas tree shape:

triangle → trunk → star on top if you’re feeling extra ✨

Step 4 — Make your garlic butter

Mix melted butter, fresh garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and chili flakes.

Brush half over the dough before baking.

Step 5 — Bake

Bake 17–20 minutes until golden, puffed, and bubbling.

Step 6 — Finish + dip

Brush with the remaining garlic butter.

Serve warm with marinara.

Pull apart and LIVE YOUR BEST HOLIDAY LIFE.

Tips for the BEST Christmas Tree Bread

🎄 Make it extra cheesy

Add a cube of mozzarella inside each dough ball for a melty cheese-pull moment.

🎄 Keep your dough cold-ish

Too warm = too sticky to shape.

Affiliate Favorites for This Recipe

Here are the tools I use every single time I make this festive pull-apart bread they make prep easier, cleanup faster, and your tree extra cute and evenly baked:

My Holiday Kitchen Must-Haves

• Half-sheet baking pan: Perfect size for shaping your dough balls into a Christmas tree without crowding.
• Parchment sheets: Pre-cut parchment is life-changing. No more tearing crooked pieces.
• Garlic press: Fresh garlic is KEY here, and this tool makes it effortless.
• Pastry brush: For brushing on that dreamy garlic butter before and after baking.
• Ceramic dipping bowl set: Ideal for serving warm marinara on the side.
• Microplane grater: Freshly grated parmesan just hits different, trust me.
• Kitchen scale: If you want perfectly even dough balls, this is the easiest way, but totally only for perfectionist… aka not me, ha .

Final Thoughts 💛

This Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Christmas Tree Bread is truly holiday magic. It’s festive, fun, cozy, ridiculously delicious, and such a low-stress recipe during the busiest time of year. My kids devour it, adults hover around it, and it’s usually gone before I can even grab the marinara.

What I love most is that it brings people together, everyone reaches in, grabs a warm cheesy piece, and suddenly the whole kitchen is laughing, talking, and dipping bread like it’s a Hallmark movie moment. These are the recipes that make the holidays feel special, and the ones my family asks for year after year.

Make it for Christmas Eve. Or make it for your holiday party. Better yet, make it for a December movie night in jammies with the tree lit up. Just promise me you’ll make it and then come back and tell me how quickly it vanished.

Because if there’s one recipe that’s guaranteed to disappear faster than gifts on Christmas morning… it’s this one. 🎄🧄🧀✨

FAQ: Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Christmas Tree Bread

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! You can form the dough balls and assemble the tree up to 6 hours in advance. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Brush with butter right before baking.

Can I use homemade pizza dough?

Absolutely! I love homemade dough. Just make sure it’s not too warm or soft when shaping the balls so your cheese stays inside.

Can I switch up the cheese?

Yes! Mozzarella melts beautifully, but provolone, Monterey Jack, or fontina are great options. Parmesan adds that salty kick.

Can I add fillings?

Totally. Try mini pepperoni, cooked spinach, roasted garlic, olives, or pesto for a festive twist.

How do I store leftovers?

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2–3 days. Reheat at 350°F for 6–8 minutes until warm and melty again.

Can I freeze it?

You can freeze the unbaked assembled tree for up to 2 months. Freeze on a sheet pan, then transfer to a bag. Bake straight from frozen, add 5–7 minutes to the bake time.

Why is my cheese leaking out?

Your dough balls may not be sealed tightly enough. Just pinch the seams a little more firmly next time, still delicious!

Can I double this for a crowd?

YES. Make two trees side-by-side or one giant one across a full sheet pan. Everyone will lose their minds when you walk in with it.