Cheesy Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread Recipes

CHEESY GARLIC PULL-APART CHRISTMAS TREE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Line 18x14-inch cookie sheet with cooking parchment paper.
• Cut each cheese stick into 4 pieces to make 64 pieces. Separate each can of dough into 8 biscuits. Separate each biscuit into 2 layers for a total of 32 biscuit rounds. Flatten each biscuit round into 4-inch circle.
• Place 2 pieces of the same type of cheese on center of each round. Fold edges up and over cheese; pinch firmly to seal. Using photo as a guide, place biscuits randomly by assorted cheeses, seam sides down and next to each other in a tree-shaped pattern on cookie sheet, starting with trunk and working up to the top.
• In small microwavable bowl, microwave butter uncovered on High 30 to 60 seconds or until melted. Stir in garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Brush mixture on tops of biscuits. Bake 29 to 33 minutes or until golden brown and biscuits are no longer doughy in center.
• Top with chives. In small microwavable bowl, microwave pizza sauce covered on High 60 to 90 seconds, stirring halfway through, until warmed through. Serve cheese-stuffed biscuits with pizza sauce.

CHRISTMAS TREE PULL-APART BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Sprinkle a work surface with flour to prevent sticking. Cut the pizza dough into 32 pieces by dividing it in half, then cutting each half in half and so on until you have 32 fairly evenly-sized pieces. Cut the mozzarella into 32 cubes.
• Line a baking sheet with foil and spray lightly with cooking spray. Insert 1 piece of the mozzarella into each of the dough pieces, pinching the dough around the cheese and rolling into a ball. Make sure the cheese is completely sealed inside the dough. Repeat with all of the cheese and dough.
• Arrange the dough balls into the shape of a Christmas tree on the prepared baking sheet. Start with 1 at the center of the top of the sheet pan as the treetop. Then make rows of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 in a pyramid shape below the first ball, to make a triangular "tree" shape. Place the last 2 balls at the top of the pyramid to act as a tree topper.
• Melt the butter in a small pan. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, then remove from heat. Brush half of the garlic butter over the dough and sprinkle with kosher salt. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the dough is lightly browned and cooked through. (It¿s okay if some of the cheese bursts through ¿ it will crisp up and taste delicious.)
• Remove from the oven and brush with the remaining garlic butter, then sprinkle with the parsley and mixed herbs. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and spread the basil ribbons over the top. If desired, spoon some of the sauce in lines across the tree to look like a garland. Serve immediately with the remaining sauce on the side.

CHEESY CHRISTMAS TREE PULL APART BREAD

Steps:

• To make the dough, whisk together the water, yeast and sugar. Allow to stand for 5 minutes until frothy.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour and salt and mix.
• Pour the yeast mixture into the flour and mix until the dough starts to come together. Add the egg and butter then knead for 5 minutes until the dough is soft and smooth. The dough should come away from the sides of the bowl while kneading.
• If the dough is too sticky, add 2-3 tablespoons flour, one tbsp at a time and allow to knead until the dough is smooth.
• Transfer the dough to a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Place in a warm spot and allow to rise for 60-90 minutes until doubled in size.
• Once the dough has risen, break golf-ball sized pieces off and flatten in the palm of your hand. Add a cube of cheese then bring all the edges up, pinching them together then roll into balls.
• Place the dough balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or large sheet pan in the shape of a Christmas tree. Allow a little space in between the dough balls.
• Cover the Christmas tree bread loosely with plastic wrap and allow to rise while the oven heats up.
• Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F.
• Brush the risen bread with beaten egg and sprinkle with dried herbs and salt.
• Place in the oven and allow to bake for 20-25 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and cooked through.
• Remove from the oven, allow to cool for 10 minutes then decorate with pomegranate rubies and rosemary (optional) before serving.

CHEESY JALAPEñO-BACON PULL-APART BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to low and medium: On a gas grill, turn the center burner(s) to low and the side burners to medium; on a charcoal grill, bank the coals to the sides with a few coals in the center.
• Combine the cheddar, pepper jack, bacon, jalapeños and scallions in a medium bowl.
• Slice the bread with a serrated knife in 1-inch intervals, cutting almost all the way through. Rotate the bread 90 degrees and repeat to create a crosshatch pattern. Set the bread on 2 large stacked sheets of heavy-duty foil.
• Gently spread the bread open and brush between the cuts with 4 tablespoons melted butter. Stuff the cheese mixture into the spaces. Press the bread back together and brush the outside with the remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter; wrap in the foil.
• Once the grill registers 350˚ F to 375˚ F, set the bread in the center of the grill over low heat, cover and cook until warmed through, about 15 minutes. Pull back the foil to expose the surface of the bread (do not remove). Continue to grill, covered, until the top of the bread is crisp and the cheese melts, 10 to 15 minutes. Serve warm.

TRIM THE TREE PULL-APART BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a bowl combine cream cheese, shredded cheese and minced garlic, until well mixed. Season well with salt and pepper.
• Unroll the pizza crust and press it flat. Cut into 36 equal size squares.
• Place a small teaspoon of the cheese mixture on each square. Pull up corners and pinch to seal, rolling the dough into a ball shape.
• Place on the baking sheet in rows: 8 at the bottom, then 7, then 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 to form a tree shape.
• Combine butter and basil in a small bowl. Brush half this mixture over the dough balls and bake for about 15 minutes until nicely browned. Immediately brush with the remaining butter mixture (rewarm if necessary).
• Carefully slide to a serving tray and serve with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.