Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread That’s Simply Joyful

Is there anything more festive than a delicious, cheesy bread shaped like a Christmas tree sitting right in the middle of your holiday table? I don’t think so. This Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread isn’t just a showstopper; it’s the ultimate fun, shareable appetizer that gets everyone gathered around, laughing and pulling off warm, garlicky bites. It brings together that cozy feeling of homemade bread with the gooey, melty goodness of pizza, all in a shape that just screams holiday cheer. Honestly, it’s the centerpiece your Christmas party spread has been waiting for.

Why You’ll Love This

This recipe is the perfect blend of impressive and completely doable, even on a busy holiday week. You’re using store-bought dough, which is a huge time-saver, but the final result looks and tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen. The cheesy, garlicky pull is so, so satisfying. It’s interactive, it’s delicious, and it fills your home with the most incredible aroma. Plus, kids absolutely adore it. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that turns snack time into a celebration.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 (16-ounce) tube refrigerated buttermilk biscuit dough: Our shortcut to fluffy, golden perfection.
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted: For that rich, golden-brown crust.
• 2 cloves garlic, minced: For that essential savory punch.
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley: Adds a fresh, herbal note.
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning: Brings it all together with classic flavor.
• 1 1/2 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese: For the epic, stretchy cheese pulls.
• 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese: Adds a sharp, salty kick.
• Marinara sauce or pizza sauce, for serving: The perfect dip for these cheesy bites.

Let’s Get Cooking Step by Step

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, minced garlic, parsley, and Italian seasoning. This is your flavor-packed garlic butter wash.
3. Open the tube of biscuit dough and separate the biscuits. Using kitchen shears or a sharp knife, cut each biscuit into quarters.
4. In a large bowl, toss the biscuit pieces with the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Drizzle about half of the garlic butter mixture over the top and gently toss again until everything is fairly evenly coated.
5. Time to build your tree! Arrange the coated biscuit and cheese pieces on the prepared baking sheet into the shape of a Christmas tree. Start with a row of about 4-5 pieces for the top. Then, create a second, slightly wider row underneath, staggering the pieces so they don’t stack directly on top of each other. Continue, making each row a little wider than the last, until you have a triangular tree shape. You should end with a bottom row of about 8-9 pieces. Leave a little space between the pieces so they have room to expand.
6. Use the remaining biscuit pieces to form a small trunk at the bottom of your tree.
7. Brush the entire tree with the remaining garlic butter mixture, making sure to get it in all the nooks and crannies.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the bread is puffed up, deeply golden brown, and the cheese is magnificently melted and bubbly.
9. Let it cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes—this helps everything set just enough so it doesn’t fall apart when you move it. Then, carefully slide the parchment paper onto a serving platter. Serve immediately with warm marinara sauce for dipping.

Creative Variations & Substitutions

This recipe is a fantastic playground for your own ideas. Out of mozzarella? A blend of Monterey Jack and cheddar is a fabulous substitute. Want to add some protein? Diced smoked turkey breast or cooked Italian-seasoned ground chicken would be wonderful mixed in with the biscuit pieces. For a veggie-forward twist, finely chopped spinach (thawed and squeezed dry of any frozen spinach works great) or sun-dried tomatoes are delicious additions. If you’re serving a crowd that loves a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes in the garlic butter will do the trick. Honestly, if you want to keep it super simple, you can even skip the cheese filling and just toss the biscuit pieces in the garlic butter for a fantastic Garlic Knot Christmas Tree.

Serving Ideas & Pairings

This Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Tree is the star of any appetizer spread. I love placing it right in the center of the table with a bowl of warm marinara sauce right next to it. It pairs beautifully with lighter dishes to balance out the richness. Think a simple arugula salad with a lemon vinaigrette, a tray of roasted vegetables, or a chilled shrimp cocktail. It’s the ultimate Christmas pick up food for any holiday gathering, from a casual family movie night to a big Christmas Eve party. So good.

Storage & Reheating Tips

This bread is always best enjoyed fresh from the oven when the cheese is at its peak gooeyness. But if you have leftovers, let the tree cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, do not microwave it—this will make the bread soggy. Instead, place the pieces on a baking sheet and warm them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5-10 minutes, until heated through and crisp again. You can also reassemble the tree shape on the baking sheet to warm the whole thing up if you’re serving it again.

Oven Temperatures for Perfect Baking

Oven temperatures can vary, so knowing your oven is key. A steady 350°F (175°C) is the sweet spot for this recipe. It allows the center of the Christmas Tree Dough to cook through completely without the outside burning before the cheese has even melted. If your oven tends to run hot, you might want to check on it a few minutes early. If it runs cool, it might need an extra couple of minutes. The visual cues are your best friends here: golden brown and bubbly.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I make this Tree Bread Appetizer ahead of time? You can do some prep ahead! You can mix the garlic butter and shred the cheeses a day in advance and keep them stored separately in the fridge. But for the best texture and rise, assemble and bake the tree just before you plan to serve it.
• My cheese is browning too fast. What should I do? If you notice the cheese on top is getting too dark before the bread is cooked, simply lay a loose piece of aluminum foil over the top for the remainder of the baking time.
• Can I use homemade dough for this Cheese Pull Apart Christmas Tree? Absolutely! If you have a favorite pizza dough or biscuit dough recipe, feel free to use about a pound of it. Just make sure to roll it out and cut it into small, bite-sized pieces before tossing with the cheese and butter.
• How do I get the perfect Pull Apart Tree Bread shape? The key is to not overcrowd the pieces. Leave a little space between them on the baking sheet so the heat can circulate and they can expand into fluffy little pillows, creating that perfect pull-apart effect.