Cheddar and Ham Stuffed Christmas Trees – Fluffy, Savory & Perfect for Holiday Parties

🎉 Introduction

These Cheddar and Ham Stuffed Christmas Trees are the ultimate holiday appetizer — warm, fluffy, golden pull-apart bread pieces shaped like festive Christmas trees and stuffed with gooey cheddar cheese and savory diced ham.

They’re fun, adorable, and absolutely delicious. Each bite delivers:

• buttery, soft dough
• melty sharp cheddar
• salty bites of ham
• hints of garlic and herbs
• a beautifully golden, festive presentation

Perfect for Christmas brunches, holiday potlucks, family gatherings, or cozy winter nights, these savory stuffed trees are easy to make and guaranteed to be a showstopper on your holiday table.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Small bowl
• Pastry brush
• Knife & cutting board
• Measuring cups
• Oven

🛒 Ingredients

For the Dough & Filling

• 1 can refrigerated pizza dough or crescent roll dough
• 1–1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup finely diced cooked ham
• 2 tablespoons softened butter
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley
• Optional: ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt & pepper to taste

For Brushing & Garnish

• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or parsley
• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan
• Optional: marinara, ranch, or honey mustard for dipping

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Prep the Filling

In a bowl, combine:

• cheddar cheese
• diced ham
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• parsley
• smoked paprika (optional)

Set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Dough

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Roll out your pizza or crescent dough into a rectangle.
Cut into 24 equal squares.

Step 3: Stuff the Dough Balls

Place a small spoonful of cheese/ham mixture into each square.
Pinch the edges together tightly to form sealed balls.

Arrange the dough balls on the baking tray in a Christmas tree shape:

• 1 ball at the top
• 2 beneath
• 3 beneath that
• continue until a wide base forms
• add 2 dough balls at the bottom for the tree trunk

Step 4: Brush & Bake

Brush the entire tree lightly with softened butter.
Bake 15–18 minutes until golden brown and puffed.

Step 5: Add Finishing Touches

Brush warm tree with melted butter + Italian seasoning.
Sprinkle Parmesan over the top for a snowy effect.

Serve warm with dipping sauces.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 6–10
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Bake Time: 15–18 minutes
• Total Time: ~30 minutes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator: 3 days
Freezer: 2 months

Reheat at 325°F (165°C) for 10 minutes or until warmed through.

🥄 Variations

1. Spinach & Cheese Christmas Trees: Mozzarella + spinach.
2. Pizza-Stuffed: Pepperoni + mozzarella + pizza sauce.
3. Breakfast Trees: Scrambled eggs + ham + cheddar.
4. Herb & Garlic Mozzarella: Stuff with mozzarella pearls + herbs.
5. Jalapeño Popper Trees: Cream cheese + cheddar + jalapeño.
6. Prosciutto & Swiss: A fancy, salty twist.
7. Bacon Cheddar: Replace ham with crispy bacon.
8. Pesto-Stuffed: Mozzarella + spoon of pesto.
9. Buffalo Chicken: Shredded chicken + hot sauce + mozzarella.
10. Sweet Version: Cream cheese + cranberry jam filling.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. What dough works best?
   Pizza dough holds shape best, but crescent dough gives a softer texture.
2. Can I prep this ahead of time?
   Yes — assemble and refrigerate up to 6 hours before baking.
3. Can I use different cheeses?
   Absolutely — mozzarella, Swiss, Gruyère, or pepper jack all work.
4. Why did my dough balls open during baking?
   Make sure they’re tightly sealed and placed seam-side down.
5. Can I make a larger tree?
   Yes — double the dough and fillings.
6. Can I freeze before baking?
   Yes — freeze stuffed balls on a tray, then bag them.
7. What dipping sauces work best?
   Marinara, ranch, garlic butter, or honey mustard.
8. Can I make this gluten-free?
   Use gluten-free pizza dough.
9. Can kids help?
   Yes — stuffing and shaping the tree is kid-friendly.
10. Can this be made vegetarian?
    Yes — just omit the ham or replace with veggies.

🏁 Conclusion

These Cheddar and Ham Stuffed Christmas Trees are festive, fun, and irresistibly savory — the perfect holiday appetizer that doubles as a beautiful edible centerpiece. With melty cheddar cheese, savory ham, soft buttery dough, and a touch of holiday flair, they’re guaranteed to become a new Christmas favorite in your home.

Serve them warm, pull them apart, dip, and enjoy the cozy flavors of the season.

Cheddar and Ham Stuffed Christmas Trees – Fluffy, Savory & Perfect for Holiday Parties

These Cheddar and Ham Stuffed Christmas Trees are the ultimate holiday appetizer — warm, fluffy, golden pull-apart bread pieces shaped like festive Christmas trees and stuffed with gooey cheddar cheese and savory diced ham.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 3 Servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

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Ingredients

  

For the Dough & Filling

• 1 can refrigerated pizza dough or crescent roll dough
• 1 –1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup finely diced cooked ham
• 2 tablespoons softened butter
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley
• Optional: ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt & pepper to taste

For Brushing & Garnish

• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or parsley
• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan
• Optional: marinara ranch, or honey mustard for dipping

Get Our Best App for Daily Great Recipes 🍽️

Discover warm, delicious, home-style meals — fresh recipes added every day inside Jacky’s Kitchen.

Coming Soon

Equipment

• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Small bowl
• Pastry brush
• Knife & cutting board
• Measuring cups
• Oven

Method

 

Step 1: Prep the Filling

1. In a bowl, combine:
2. cheddar cheese
3. diced ham
4. garlic powder
5. onion powder
6. parsley
7. smoked paprika (optional)
8. Set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Dough

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Roll out your pizza or crescent dough into a rectangle.
4. Cut into 24 equal squares.

Step 3: Stuff the Dough Balls

1. Place a small spoonful of cheese/ham mixture into each square.
2. Pinch the edges together tightly to form sealed balls.
3. Arrange the dough balls on the baking tray in a Christmas tree shape:
4. 1 ball at the top
5. 2 beneath
6. 3 beneath that
7. continue until a wide base forms
8. add 2 dough balls at the bottom for the tree trunk

Step 4: Brush & Bake

1. Brush the entire tree lightly with softened butter.
2. Bake 15–18 minutes until golden brown and puffed.

Step 5: Add Finishing Touches

1. Brush warm tree with melted butter + Italian seasoning.
2. Sprinkle Parmesan over the top for a snowy effect.
3. Serve warm with dipping sauces.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator: 3 days
Freezer: 2 months

Reheat at 325°F (165°C) for 10 minutes or until warmed through.

🥄 Variations

Spinach & Cheese Christmas Trees: Mozzarella + spinach.

Pizza-Stuffed: Pepperoni + mozzarella + pizza sauce.

Breakfast Trees: Scrambled eggs + ham + cheddar.

Herb & Garlic Mozzarella: Stuff with mozzarella pearls + herbs.

Jalapeño Popper Trees: Cream cheese + cheddar + jalapeño.

Prosciutto & Swiss: A fancy, salty twist.

Bacon Cheddar: Replace ham with crispy bacon.

Pesto-Stuffed: Mozzarella + spoon of pesto.

Buffalo Chicken: Shredded chicken + hot sauce + mozzarella.

Sweet Version: Cream cheese + cranberry jam filling.

❓ 10 FAQs

What dough works best?
Pizza dough holds shape best, but crescent dough gives a softer texture.

Can I prep this ahead of time?
Yes — assemble and refrigerate up to 6 hours before baking.

Can I use different cheeses?
Absolutely — mozzarella, Swiss, Gruyère, or pepper jack all work.

Why did my dough balls open during baking?
Make sure they’re tightly sealed and placed seam-side down.

Can I make a larger tree?
Yes — double the dough and fillings.

Can I freeze before baking?
Yes — freeze stuffed balls on a tray, then bag them.

What dipping sauces work best?
Marinara, ranch, garlic butter, or honey mustard.

Can I make this gluten-free?
Use gluten-free pizza dough.

Can kids help?
Yes — stuffing and shaping the tree is kid-friendly.

Can this be made vegetarian?
Yes — just omit the ham or replace with veggies.

🏁 Conclusion

These Cheddar and Ham Stuffed Christmas Trees are festive, fun, and irresistibly savory — the perfect holiday appetizer that doubles as a beautiful edible centerpiece. With melty cheddar cheese, savory ham, soft buttery dough, and a touch of holiday flair, they’re guaranteed to become a new Christmas favorite in your home.

Serve them warm, pull them apart, dip, and enjoy the cozy flavors of the season.