Description
Savor Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread as a festive crowdpleasing snack that delivers a quick gooey recipe to add magic to your holiday table
Ingredients
440 grams of all purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons of active dry yeast
240 milliliters of warm milk
2 tablespoons of sugar
1 teaspoon of salt
60 grams of unsalted butter
240 grams of shredded mozzarella
120 grams of cheddar cheese
45 grams of grated parmesan cheese
2 cloves of garlic
2 tablespoons of fresh parsley
2 tablespoons of butter
2 tablespoons of salted butter or olive oil for brushing over the finished loaf
1 pinch of kosher salt or sea salt
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. In a small saucepan, warm the milk and 2 tablespoons of melted butter until just warm. Pour the liquid into the dry ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic. If the dough sticks, add a tablespoon at a time of flour, but avoid over flouring to keep the dough light. Tip: The dough should feel like a soft, slightly tacky pillow. If it clings to your hands, give it a minute more to rest before kneading again.
- In a bowl combine mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan. If you like a bit of extra fragrance, fold in minced parsley and a pinch of garlic powder. The goal is a cohesive cheese blend that melts evenly into the dough without clumping. Tip: Shredding cheese fresh yields a lighter melt than pre shredded bags, which can include anti-caking agents that affect meltability.
- After the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it into a large rectangle about 12 by 18 inches (30 by 45 cm). Scatter the cheese mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a small margin around the edges to prevent overflow. Tip: A light dusting of flour will keep the cheese from sticking to the rolling pin, but avoid overflouring which can dry out the dough.
- Carefully roll the dough into a rope, then coil it into a cone shape with the narrow end at the top to emulate a Christmas tree. Use kitchen scissors to make evenly spaced vertical cuts starting from the base toward the tips, creating the tree layers. Place the tree on a parchment lined baking sheet or a round cake pan to keep the festive silhouette intact. Tip: Don’t cut all the way through the dough at the base; leave a small hinge so the layers stay connected and can puff together during baking.
- Cover the shaped dough loosely with a clean towel and let it rise in a warm place for 20–30 minutes, until puffy. The risen dough will appear airy and will provide the soft, pull apart texture you want in each slice. Tip: If your kitchen runs cold, place the dough in a slightly warm oven (turned off) with a pan of hot water for moisture and warmth.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Melt the remaining butter and whisk in minced garlic. Brush the dough generously with the garlic butter. Bake for 20–25 minutes until the bread is deeply golden and the cheese is bubbling along the edges. The crust should be crisp but not hard. Tip: If the top browns too quickly, tent with foil for the last 5–7 minutes to avoid scorching the edges while the center finishes baking.
- As soon as the bread comes out, brush with the remaining garlic butter and scatter chopped parsley on top. Let the tree rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing to avoid their cheese from tearing when cut. The result is a glossy, fragrant loaf with a crisp exterior and a molten interior. Tip: A light drizzle of melted butter with a pinch of salt right before serving adds a restaurant style finish.
Notes
Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread is a festive pull-apart cheese bread shaped like a Christmas tree, featuring buttery dough, melty mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan with a garlic-herb glaze. A show-stopping centerpiece perfect for holiday gatherings.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12 slices
- Calories: 230 calories
- Sugar: 3 g
- Fat: 10.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 10.5 g
