Pull Apart Christmas Tree Bread

Course Appetizer, Bread, Side Dish

Cuisine American

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

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 20

Rise time 1

Total Time 1 40

Servings servings

Calories 153kcal

30 frozen unbaked yeast rolls (these are unbaked dough rounds i.e. Rhodes 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

Thaw rolls on counter for 10-15 minutes just until thawed but still cool to the touch. Line a large sheet pan with parchment.
On a non-stick surface, press each piece of dough into a 2 circle. Center one piece of mozzarella in the dough. Pull sides of dough together and pinch together 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. 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 and let rise in a draft free place for 1 hour.
To bake: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a bowl, mix 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 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.