If you’re looking for a fun holiday appetizer that’s easy to make, this pull apart garlic knot Christmas tree is the answer.

It’s the holidays and I don’t know about you, but for me, it’s always a lowkey competition when it comes to potlucks and bringing food over to holiday parties. Of course, it’s all in good fun, but don’t tell me it isn’t satisfying when your dish is the one that is licked clean. Wait, now that I think about it, maybe I’m the only one that is lowkey thinking it’s a competition? Maybe everyone else is just eating? Either way, this festive bread tree is my secret weapon.

It’s super simple: garlicky, soft and plush bread knots with secret mozzarella centers arranged in a pull-apart Christmas tree shape that’s show-stopping and delicious. The best part is that this holiday appetizer is essentially assembly.

Holiday pull apart Christmas tree ingredients

pizza dough – you could do homemade, but store-bought pizza dough is a life saver.
egg wash – a bit of egg whisked with water gives your tree a nice shiny, golden brown finish that will make it irresistible.
mozzarella sticks – cheese pulls for the win! Mozzarella cheese sticks cut into pieces and tucked into the pizza dough gives every ball a cheesy surprise.
butter + garlic – all garlic knots need butter and garlic and here we’ll make a herby, garlicky butter for brushing on to the tree after baking. I like fresh basil to give the tree a more pizza vibe, but parsley and rosemary will work too.

How to make a holiday garlic knot pull apart Christmas tree

Heat – Heat the oven to 450°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cut – Cut the mozzarella cheese sticks into 1 inch lengths.
Roll – Lightly flour a work surface and use a rolling pin to roll out the pizza dough until about a 1/4 inch in height. Cut the dough into squares, about 2 inches by 2 inches. You’ll need 30 squares for the tree.
Shape – Take a piece of cheese and place it in the middle of a dough square. Pinch the dough around the cheese, wrapping it up tightly.
Arrange – Place the ball, seam side down, on the parchment paper baking sheet. Repeat with all the squares of dough, arranging the finished balls into a Christmas tree shape, with two balls for the trunk, then 7 balls, then 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and then 1 for the top. Make sure all the balls are touching.
Bake – Brush the balls of dough with an egg was and bake until golden and cooked through, about 15-20 minutes.
Make – While the tree is baking, make the garlic butter. Melt butter over low heat and stir in minced garlic, parmesan, and freshly chopped basil.
Brush – When the tree is ready, remove from the oven and generously brush with the garlicky butter. Serve warm and enjoy!

Baking pan

You’re gonna need a fairly large baking pan for this one. Plan on at least a 13″x18″ pan. The one in these photos which you can’t really see is the Great Jones Holy Sheet.

Why you should make this tree!

This pull apart tree always brings a smile to my face, while I’m making it and while I’m eating it. I especially love that it’s all store-bought. December is an insanely busy month and waiting for dough to rise isn’t really in the cards. Store-bought pizza dough is a life saver. If you have a grocery store that makes it in house, even better. Essentially, it’s like homemade because they make in-store pizza dough on the regular, with just regular ingredients like flour, water, salt, and yeast. If your grocery store doesn’t sell ready made pizza dough, ask at a local pizza shop, they’re usually willing to sell you some dough.

Dip

If you’re a dip lover, this tree is perfect for pulling apart and dipping. Go with classic pizza marinara and ranch.

That’s it! What are you waiting for, get tree-ing! Hope you’re holidays are going well :)
xoxo steph