If you’re looking for a fun holiday appetizer that’s easy to make, this Garlic Knot Christmas Tree is the answer.
It’s the holidays and I don’t know about you, but for me, it’s always a simple competition when it comes to what food to bring to potlucks and holiday parties. Of course, it’s all in good fun, but don’t tell me it’s not satisfying when your dishes have been licked clean. Wait, now that I think about it, maybe I’m the only one who thinks this is a competition? Maybe everyone else is just eating? Either way, this festive bread tree is my secret weapon.
It’s extremely simple: garlicky, soft and plush bread lumps with secret mozzarella centers arranged in a distinct Christmas tree shape that are scrumptious and delicious. The best part is that this holiday appetizer requires no assembly required.
Set aside Christmas tree supplies for the holidays
- pizza dough – You can make it at home, but store-bought pizza dough is a life saver.
- egg wash – A little egg beaten with water gives your tree a nice shiny, golden brown finish that will make it irresistible.
- mozzarella sticks – Cheese pulls to the win! By cutting mozzarella cheese sticks into pieces and encasing them in pizza dough, each ball gives a cheesy surprise.
- Butter + Garlic – All garlic cloves require butter and garlic and here we will make an herby, garlic butter to brush on the tree after baking. I like fresh basil to give the tree a more pizzazz-like atmosphere, but parsley and rosemary will work too.
How to Make Garlic Knots That Take Apart a Christmas Tree
- Heat – Heat the oven to 450°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment.
- Cutting – Cut mozzarella cheese sticks into 1-inch lengths.
- Roll – Lightly flour a work surface and use a rolling pin to roll out the pizza dough to about 1/4 inch height. Cut the dough into squares measuring approximately 2 inches by 2 inches. You will need 30 squares for the tree.
- size – Take a piece of cheese and place it in the center of a square piece of dough. Knead the dough around the cheese and wrap it tightly.
- arrange – Place the ball with the seam side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat with all the dough squares, arranging the prepared balls in the shape of a Christmas tree, two balls for the trunk, then 7 balls, then 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and then 1 for the top. Make sure all the balls are touching.
- bake – Brush the dough balls with egg and bake until golden and cooked through, about 15-20 minutes.
- Make – While the tree is cooking, make the garlic butter. Melt the butter over low heat and add the minced garlic, Parmesan and fresh chopped basil.
- brush – When the tree is ready, remove from the oven and brush generously with garlic butter. Serve hot and enjoy!
baking pan
For this you will need a fairly large baking pan. Plan for at least a 13″x18″ pan. What you can’t really see in these pictures is Great Jones Holy Sheet.
Why you should make this tree!
This different looking tree always brings a smile to my face, both when I am making it and when I am eating it. I especially like that it’s all store bought. December is an extremely busy month and waiting for the dough to rise is really not possible. Store-bought pizza dough is a lifesaver. If you have a grocery store that makes it in-house, even better. Essentially, it’s the same as homemade dough as they make pizza dough at the store with regular ingredients like regular flour, water, salt, and yeast. If your grocery store doesn’t sell prepared pizza dough, ask at a local pizza shop, they are usually willing to sell you some dough.
dip
If you are fond of taking a dip, this tree is perfect for taking a different dip. Go for the classic pizza with marinara and ranch.
That’s it! What are you waiting for, plant a tree! Hope your holidays are going well 🙂
xoxo Steph
Garlic Pull-Apart Christmas Tree
If you’re looking for a fun holiday appetizer that’s easy to make, this Garlic Knot Christmas Tree is the answer.
serves 30 balls
- 6 Mozzarella Cheese String Sticks Cut each into 5 equal pieces (total 30 pieces)
- 1 lb pizza dough
- 1 Big Egg
- 4 Ladle butter
- 2 cloves Garlic minced meat
- 1/2 cup finely grated parmesan
- 2 Ladle fresh basil chopped up
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Preheat oven to 450°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment. Lightly flour a work surface and roll out the pizza dough into a rectangle measuring 8″x9″x1″. Cut the dough into 30 squares (6×5).
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Take each piece of dough and wrap a piece of mozzarella inside it, pinching it into a ball.
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Arrange the balls, seam side down, in a Christmas tree shape working upward on the baking sheet, with 2 balls for the trunk, then 7 balls, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 for the top of the tree.
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Beat the egg with 1 tablespoon water. Brush the tops of the balls with egg and bake until the trees are golden and cooked through, about 15-20 minutes.
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While the tree is cooking, make the garlic butter. Melt the butter over low heat and add the garlic, Parmesan and basil.
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When the tree is ready, remove from the oven and brush generously with garlic butter. If desired, finish with more Parmesan, basil, and red pepper flakes.
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Enjoy hot!
nutrition Facts
Garlic Pull-Apart Christmas Tree
Amount per serving (1 ball)
calories 61
Calories from Fat 26
% daily value*
thick 2.9 grams4%
saturated fat 1.5 grams9%
cholesterol 13mg4%
sodium 107 mg5%
potassium 9mg0%
carbohydrates 6.7 grams2%
Fiber 0.5 grams2%
sugar 0.01 gram0%
protein 2.8 grams6%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.