Cheesy Pull-Apart Christmas Tree Bread

Cheesy Pull-Apart Christmas Tree Bread is a true star of holiday parties!

There’s something magical about watching guests’ faces light up when this gooey, garlic-buttery creation arrives at the table.

Not exaggerating to say every single piece gets devoured within minutes.

The secret for making those cheese pulls extra Instagram-worthy?

The trick is in how the biscuit pieces are arranged.

This showstopper will wow guests this season!

Contents show

Ingredients

Recommended Tools

Creating this festive Cheesy Pull-Apart Christmas Tree Bread is super easy when you have the right tools on hand. With just a few kitchen essentials, you’ll be able to prep, bake and serve this crowd-pleasing holiday appetizer that looks as good as it tastes.

Baking Sheet:
The foundation for your Christmas tree creation where all those cheesy biscuit balls will come together.
Parchment Paper:
Prevents your pull-apart bread from sticking to the baking sheet and makes cleanup a breeze.
Kitchen Knife:
Essential for cutting biscuits into fourths and slicing the mozzarella sticks into perfect pieces.
Pastry Brush:
Makes it easy to apply both the egg wash before baking and the garlic butter mixture afterward.
Small Saucepan:
Perfect for melting butter and mixing it with garlic and Italian seasoning to create that flavorful topping.
Mixing Bowl:
Useful for beating the egg and mixing ingredients before brushing onto the bread.

Instructions for Cheesy Pull-Apart Christmas Tree Bread

Ready to wow your holiday guests? Let’s make this cheesy tree that’s as fun to pull apart as it’s to eat!

First, preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper—trust me, this saves major cleanup headaches later!

Grab your 16 oz can of jumbo biscuits and cut each one into fourths. Take your 7-8 mozzarella cheese sticks and cut them into 31 pieces (one for each biscuit piece).

Now for the fun part! Place each cheese piece onto a biscuit square, then seal the edges and roll into a ball. Your fingers might get a bit sticky, but that’s part of the holiday baking adventure!

Arrange these cheesy balls on your baking sheet in a Christmas tree shape. Make sure they’re touching each other and the seams are facing down—this helps create that perfect pull-apart effect!

Beat your large egg and brush it over the entire tree. This gives your bread that Instagram-worthy golden shine!

Pop it in the oven for 15-17 minutes until beautifully golden brown. Keep an eye on it though—if it’s browning too quickly, just tent some foil over the top.

While it’s baking, melt 4 tablespoons of salted butter and mix in 3 minced garlic cloves and 1½ teaspoons of Italian seasoning.

Once your tree comes out of the oven, immediately brush this fragrant butter mixture all over it. The warm bread will soak up all that garlicky goodness!

Feeling extra festive? Sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top for “snow”!

Serve your masterpiece with marinara sauce or pesto for dipping, and watch it disappear before your eyes!

Pro Tips

For perfectly even baking, position the biscuit balls in the center of your oven and keep a close eye on them after the 12-minute mark, as the outer edges can brown more quickly than the center pieces.

Substitutions & Variations

This festive cheesy pull-apart bread can be customized with different flavors and ingredients to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs.

Mediterranean Style: Swap mozzarella for feta cheese and add chopped olives, sun-dried tomatoes and oregano to the filling for a Greek-inspired twist.
Spicy Mexican Version: Use pepper jack cheese instead of mozzarella, add diced jalapeños and sprinkle with taco seasoning rather than Italian herbs.
Sweet Dessert Tree: Transform it into a dessert by filling biscuit pieces with chocolate chips and cinnamon sugar, then drizzle with icing after baking.
Gluten-Free Option: Substitute regular biscuits with gluten-free biscuit dough and follow the same assembly instructions for those with gluten sensitivities.
Vegan Alternative: Use plant-based biscuits and vegan cheese sticks, brushing with plant milk instead of egg wash for a completely dairy-free version.
Breakfast Tree: Fill with scrambled eggs and breakfast sausage pieces, using cheddar cheese instead of mozzarella for a morning holiday treat.

Leftovers & Storage Tips

While you’ve mastered creating your festive tree-shaped bread, let’s talk about what to do with any leftovers you might’ve after your holiday gathering.

Store them in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 3 days.

When you’re ready to enjoy round two, just pop them in the microwave for 20 seconds or reheat in a 350°F oven until warm and gooey again!

Holiday Party Showstopper