Cheesy Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Garlic Bread

Cheesy pull-apart Christmas tree garlic bread is the ultimate holiday appetizer, combining the comforting flavours of garlic, warm bread, and gooey melted cheese with a festive twist. Imagine a beautifully shaped Christmas tree, but instead of ornaments, it's adorned with golden, cheesy, garlicky goodness.

This delectable creation starts with prepared pizza dough that is rolled out into a thin rectangle and then cut into smaller rectangular pieces. Each piece is filled with mozzarella cheese and Italian seasoning, and formed into a tightly sealed ball. To take the festive spirit up a notch, this cheesy pull-apart garlic bread is artfully shaped into a Christmas tree and cooked until golden brown.

Then, a luscious mixture of melted butter, parmesan cheese, minced garlic and fresh herbs is generously brushed over each slice to complete the festive look. This aromatic blend infuses every inch of the bread with a savory, garlicky flavour.

The result is a warm, cheesy, and aromatic masterpiece that’s perfect for sharing. This holiday treat isn’t just a visual delight; it’s also incredibly tasty. Whether served as an appetizer before the big Christmas feast or as a delightful snack for festive gatherings, cheesy pull-apart Christmas tree garlic bread is sure to spread warmth and cheer during the holiday season.

I baked this cheesy garlic bread using my Pit Boss Navigator Series Pellet Grill from Home Hardware. With incredible 8-in-1 cooking versatility, the Pit Boss Navigator allows you to bake, smoke, braise, roast, grill, barbecue, char-grill, and sear. The Navigator comes with a Flame Broiler Lever, so you can achieve instant direct or indirect heat in a temperature range of 180º to 500ºF. Most importantly, you’ll always get an even cook with fan-forced convection cooking and consistent indirect heat even in the winter months. The digital control board and stainless-steel meat probes allow you to track temperatures, so you don’t have to hover over your grill. The Navigator will do (almost!) all the work for you.

My top tip for winter grilling is to plan ahead. Get everything you need ready and on a tray in the kitchen before you head outside. During the winter months, move your grill to an area that is out of the wind and direct cold. Try and move it closer to your back door, but make sure to first check your local bylaws regarding the rules on a grill’s proximity to your home and other structures. Allow for about 20 to 30 minutes for your grill to fully heat up during the cold months before putting your food on. Cold weather can slow down cooking times, so plan ahead and allow extra time for your food to cook. This will help ensure it’s cooked thoroughly and to the desired temperature.

Servings: 6-8

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb. refrigerated prepared pizza dough

• 8 mozzarella cheese sticks

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• Egg wash (1 egg whisked with 1 tbsp milk or water)

Garlic Butter

• 4 tbsp unsalted melted butter

• ½ cup grated parmesan

• 1 tbsp minced garlic

• 2 tbsp finely chopped parsley

• Rosemary sprigs, for garnish

• 1 cup marinara sauce, for serving

Directions

1. Preheat your grill to 400ºF (204ºC). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Allow the pizza dough to come to room temperature for 15 minutes.

2. Cut the mozzarella sticks into 4 pieces to make 32 pieces in total.

3. On a floured surface, roll the dough and cut it into 32 (2-inch) squares. Place a piece of mozzarella into each dough square and sprinkle with Italian seasoning on top. Fold the edges into the center, pinch closed, and then roll into a tight sealed ball in your hands.

4. Place the balls seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree (they should be touching) with one ball as the trunk at the bottom. Brush egg wash on the dough balls.

5. Place the baking sheet on the grill and cook for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

6. Meanwhile, whisk together the melted butter, parmesan cheese, garlic, and parsley.

7. Remove the baking sheet with the cheesy Christmas tree pull-apart garlic bread and brush the melted garlic butter mixture on top. Garnish with rosemary springs along the outside of the pull-apart garlic bread and serve with marinara sauce for dipping.