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Cheesy Pull-Apart Christmas Bread – Warm, Festive & Irresistibly Gooey

This Cheesy Pull-Apart Christmas Bread is the ultimate holiday appetizer — golden, buttery, stuffed with gooey melted cheese, brushed with garlic herb butter, and shaped into a festive Christmas tree (or wreath!) that steals the show at any holiday gathering. Each bite-sized piece pulls apart effortlessly, revealing warm, stretchy mozzarella inside a soft, pillowy dough. It’s fun to make, gorgeous on the table, and even more delicious to eat. Perfect for Christmas parties, cozy family nights, movie marathons, or serving alongside soups, pastas, or holiday mains. This recipe brings all the magic of Christmas baking together with the cozy comfort of cheesy garlic bread — a true holiday winner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes
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Ingredients
  

For the Dough
  • You may use store-bought pizza dough or homemade.
  • 1 lb pizza dough fresh or thawed
  • Cheese Filling
  • 12 –15 mozzarella balls bocconcini or
  • Cubes of mozzarella/cheddar 1-inch pieces
  • Garlic Herb Butter
  • 4 tbsp melted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • Optional Toppings
  • Grated parmesan
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Fresh rosemary
  • Marinara sauce for dipping
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Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Small saucepan
  • Pastry brush
  • Sharp knife
  • Measuring cups & spoons

Method
 

Step 1: Prep the Dough Balls
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. Divide the pizza dough into 12–15 equal portions.
  4. Flatten each piece slightly.
  5. Place a mozzarella cube (or ball) in the center.
  6. Pinch dough firmly around the cheese to create sealed balls.
Step 2: Shape Into a Christmas Tree
  1. Arrange dough balls on the baking sheet in a Christmas tree shape:
  2. 1 ball at the top
  3. 2 balls beneath
  4. 3 beneath that
  5. 4 beneath that
  6. 1–2 balls as the “trunk”
  7. Make sure they’re touching so they bake together and pull apart easily.
  8. (Alternatively, shape as a wreath by arranging a ring of dough balls.)
Step 3: Make the Garlic Herb Butter
  1. In a small bowl, mix:
  2. melted butter
  3. garlic
  4. parsley
  5. Italian seasoning
  6. salt
  7. pepper
  8. Brush generously over the dough balls.
Step 4: Bake
  1. Bake 18–22 minutes until:
  2. golden brown
  3. cheese-filled centers are melty
  4. tops lightly crisp
  5. Remove from oven and brush with more herb butter if desired.
Step 5: Serve Warm
  1. Sprinkle with:
  2. grated parmesan
  3. fresh parsley or rosemary
  4. red pepper flakes (optional)
  5. Serve with warm marinara, pesto, or garlic butter for dipping.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerate: 2–3 days
Freeze (unbaked): Up to 2 months (freeze shaped and filled)
Reheat:
Oven at 325°F for 8 minutes
Avoid microwave (makes bread chewy)

🥄 Variations

Pesto Cheese Bombs
Add a dab of pesto inside each ball.
Pizza-Stuffed Bread
Add mini pepperoni + mozzarella.
Garlic Cream Cheese Filling
Mix cream cheese with herbs and use as stuffing.
Cheddar Jalapeño Christmas Bread
Add diced jalapeños + cheddar cubes.
Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Bread
Use a small spoonful of spinach dip inside.
Holiday Herb Butter
Add rosemary + thyme for festive flavor.
Everything Bagel Version
Brush with butter + sprinkle with everything seasoning.
Bacon Mozzarella Pull Apart
Add crispy bacon bits inside.
Brie & Cranberry
Add a piece of brie + small amount of cranberry sauce.
Garlic Knot Style
Twist dough pieces before stuffing.

❓ 10 FAQs

Can I use store-bought dough?
Yes — pizza dough or biscuit dough both work well.
What cheese melts best?
Mozzarella for stretch; cheddar for sharpness.
How do I prevent cheese from leaking?
Pinch dough seams tightly.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes — shape and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
Can I freeze it?
Freeze unbaked dough balls; bake frozen +5 minutes.
Why are my dough balls tough?
Overbaking — remove when lightly golden.
Can I use gluten-free dough?
Yes — adjust bake time slightly.
Can kids help make this?
Absolutely — perfect for holiday fun.
Can I make a bigger tree?
Yes — double the dough and cheese.
Can I use crescent roll dough?
Yes — it bakes softer and sweeter.

🏁 Conclusion

This Cheesy Pull-Apart Christmas Bread is the perfect holiday crowd-pleaser — warm, buttery, gooey, and festive enough to steal the spotlight on any Christmas table. It’s fun to make, easy to customize, and irresistibly delicious whether served as an appetizer, snack, or side dish.
One pull, one bite, and you’ll taste pure holiday joy.