Pull Apart Christmas Tree Bread

Course Appetizer, Bread, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Southern

Keyword christmas-tree-bread, pull-apart-christmas-tree-bread

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 20

Rise time 1

Total Time 1 35

Servings servings

Calories 153kcal

Ingredients

30 frozen unbaked yeast rolls (these are unbaked dough rounds i.e. Rhodes rolls or similar) (plus one additional for the star)
10 (4 inch) mozzarella cheese sticks cut into thirds (for 30 total)
6 Tbsp salted butter melted
1 tsp dry Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
3 cloves garlic finely minced
1-2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh Italian parsley
2-3 Tbsp finely grated Parmesan cheese
fresh rosemary sprigs and halved cherry tomatoes for garnishing
2 cups warm marinara or pizza sauce for serving

Instructions

Thaw rolls on counter for 10 minutes just until thawed but still cool to the touch. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper.
On a non-stick surface, press each piece of dough into a 2-circle. Center one piece of mozzarella in the center of the dough. Pull sides of dough together and pinch to seal. Repeat process until all rolls are filled shaping into even rounds.
Arrange rolls seam side down on pan side by side, touching. Begin with 2 rolls side by side to form the base of the tree, then a row of 7 rolls, 6 rolls, 5 rolls, 4 rolls, 3 rolls, 2 rolls and 1 roll for the top row.
To make the star, flatten one roll and cut into a star shape with a cookie cutter, place on top of single roll or place alongside the tree without touching, on the pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a draft free place for 1 hour.
Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a bowl, stir together melted butter, Italian seasoning, salt, red pepper flakes and minced garlic. Brush rolls on all sides liberally using a pastry brush. Reserve half for after baking. Mix some of the chopped parsley with reserved butter. (Reheat butter for a few seconds in microwave if it solidifies and cools while the rolls bake)
Bake Christmas tree rolls for 20-22 minutes or just until golden brown and puffed. Remove from oven and brush with reserved butter and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and remaining chopped parsley.
Decorate with sprigs of rosemary and cherry tomato halves then serve immediately with warm marinara sauce or pizza sauce for dipping.

Notes

Don't Thaw Completely - In the initial thawing of the dough, it's important not to let them go too far and begin to rise. 10-15 minutes should be ample time to allow the dough to be workable so you can flatten and stuff with cheese. Think thawed but still cold.
Garlic Butter - While the rolls bake, the butter mixture will cool to room temperature and will need to be reheated in the microwave for brushing on the tops of the rolls after baking.
Cheese - You can use a block of mozzarella cheese that's been cubed in place of mozzarella cheese sticks. You could also use a different flavor of cheese like monterey jack cheese, pepper jack cheese, swiss cheese or cheddar cheese, if desired.
Use a Cookie Cutter - To make the topper use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut the star into the shape you want for the tree topper. If you prefer an angel or another shape for your tree topper, go for it!
Sweet Option - You could use this same technique using cinnamon rolls. Top with cream cheese frosting and serve for Christmas brunch.

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