Looking for a festive and delicious centerpiece for your holiday gathering? This Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread recipe is the perfect choice! It’s incredibly easy to make, visually stunning, and absolutely irresistible. This cheesy delight is sure to be a crowd-pleaser as a Christmas appetizer for your next holiday party.
Originally published on November 15, 2021, this recipe was updated on November 6, 2023, with enhanced step-by-step instructions, clearer photos, and valuable content to ensure your baking success.

The most wonderful time of the year is here! If you’re like us and love celebrating Christmas, you’ll absolutely adore this Pull-Apart Christmas Tree Bread recipe.
We’re always on the lookout for fun and festive Christmas appetizers to share with family and friends during the holidays. Think of other great appetizer recipes like a Christmas Charcuterie Board, a vibrant Christmas Wreath Salad, and a creative Christmas Tree Veggie Tray. If we can transform delicious food into the shape of a Christmas tree or wreath, you know we’re all in!
This Christmas tree cheese bread is another fantastic and festive addition to your holiday appetizer spread or as a delightful side dish. It’s incredibly flavorful, wonderfully cheesy, and simply perfect for dipping into warm marinara sauce or pesto.
And the best part? Its charming Christmas tree shape makes it a stunning centerpiece that will elevate any holiday table!
📺 Featured on The Drew Barrymore Show!

Excited to share that I baked this easy and delicious Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread live on The Drew Barrymore Show! Check out the segment to see how simple it is to create this festive treat.
❤️ Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Recipe

This Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread isn’t just about good looks; it’s a taste sensation! It’s a simple holiday appetizer that’s guaranteed to be a hit with everyone.
- Effortlessly Simple: This easy bread recipe uses less than 10 everyday ingredients that you can easily find at your local grocery store.
- Fun for All Ages: If you have kids, this is a fantastic recipe to involve them in the kitchen! The instructions are straightforward, and the step-by-step photos below make it even easier to follow.
- Cheesy Goodness: The ooey-gooey melted cheese makes pulling apart this bread an absolute delight. Get ready for that Instagram-worthy CHEESE PULL!
- Convenient Serving: Each cheese-stuffed dough roll can be easily pulled apart individually. For casual family gatherings, fingers work perfectly. But for serving friends, a fork adds a touch of elegance.
- Flavor-Packed & Satisfying: The aromatic garlic, melted cheese, and fresh herbs infuse the bread as it bakes, creating a symphony of flavors in every bite.
🧀 Essential Ingredient Notes
You only need a handful of ingredients – less than 10 – to create this show-stopping holiday bread!

Here’s what you’ll need to gather before you begin:
- Egg + Water: These two combine to create a simple egg wash that adds a beautiful golden sheen to the baked bread.
- Refrigerated Crescent Roll Dough: You’ll need TWO (2) cans for this recipe. We love using the buttery refrigerated crescent roll dough, but feel free to use your preferred brand and type. The dough pictured here is pre-cut into 8 triangles per can, giving you a total of 16 triangles from both cans. You’ll then cut each of these triangles in half to get 32 thinner triangles.
- Mozzarella Sticks: You’ll need eight (8) mozzarella sticks. Each stick will be cut into four (4) equal-sized pieces.
(The garlic powder and parsley you see in the picture are detailed below!)

You’ll also need these ingredients for the final touches and to maximize the flavor:
- Butter: Opt for high-quality unsalted butter for the best flavor.
- Oregano: A pinch of oregano adds a lovely herbaceous note.
- Garlic Powder: A touch of garlic powder adds a subtle aromatic dimension to the bread.
- Parsley: Finely chop the parsley. Half will be mixed into the melted herb butter, and the other half will be sprinkled on top of the finished dish for a vibrant, fresh flavor. You can substitute Italian seasoning if desired.
✅ Easy-to-Follow Step-by-Step Instructions
For precise ingredient measurements and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. This section includes extra tips and step-by-step photos to guide you in creating the most incredible holiday pull-apart bread imaginable!
- First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
- In a small bowl, lightly whisk together the egg and water to make the egg wash; set aside.


- Slice each mozzarella stick into four even pieces, resulting in 32 mozzarella cheese pieces. Set them aside.
- Unroll the refrigerated dough from the cans. Separate the dough along the pre-cut lines. You should have 16 triangles from both cans of dough. Use kitchen shears, a pizza cutter, or a sharp knife to carefully cut each triangle in half lengthwise. You should now have a total of 32 triangles.
- Place one piece of mozzarella cheese at the wide end of a dough triangle. Then, gently roll the dough up towards the pointy end.



- Use your fingers to gently pinch and seal the ends and sides of the rolled dough. This will help prevent the cheese from melting out too much during baking. Repeat this process until you’ve used all 32 dough triangles and all 32 pieces of mozzarella.


- Now, form the Christmas tree shape! Place the rolled dough pieces onto the prepared baking sheet. Start with one dough roll at the very top. Then, place two rolls in the next row, three in the following row, and continue adding one more roll to each row until you only have four pieces remaining.
- Use the remaining four dough pieces to create the tree trunk. Gently push the dough pieces together so that there are no large gaps between them.
- Using a pastry brush, generously brush the egg wash over the entire top and sides of the dough. This will give it a beautiful golden color as it bakes.



- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the top is a beautiful golden brown. Keep a close eye on it to prevent over-baking!
- While the dough is baking, and with about 5 minutes left, prepare the garlic butter herb mixture. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter. Whisk in the garlic powder and half of the chopped parsley.


- Once you remove the baked bread from the oven, immediately brush the melted butter mixture generously over the entire tree. Then, sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top. Finally, sprinkle the remaining chopped parsley over the tree for a burst of fresh flavor and visual appeal.
- Serve this delicious Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread immediately while it’s warm and cheesy. Offer a side of marinara sauce or pesto sauce for dipping to take it to the next level!
👩🏻🍳 Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead of time from start to finish?
Yes, you can! You can bake the Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread one day in advance. Let it cool to room temperature, then refrigerate. When ready to reheat, let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes. Then, place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil in a 325°F (160°C) oven for about 10-15 minutes, until the bread and cheese are heated through. Watch carefully to prevent over-baking. You can brush with more melted butter and add extra parmesan cheese and parsley if desired.
Can I prep this ahead of time and bake it the day of serving?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and mozzarella sticks, assemble the tree, then cover it well and refrigerate overnight.
When ready to bake, take the prepared dough out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 10-20 minutes. Then, continue with the instructions starting with brushing the dough with egg wash and proceed with the remaining steps.
What’s the best way to store leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 or 3 days. It’s best enjoyed soon after baking.
🍽 Delicious Serving Ideas

Elevate this cheesy pull-apart bread by serving it with a side of:
- Warm marinara sauce
- Dairy-free spinach dip
- Pizza sauce
- Pesto sauce
- Dairy-free ranch dressing
- Buffalo ranch sauce
Complete your festive holiday meal with these additions:
- Serve alongside other holiday appetizers like a Christmas Charcuterie Board, Christmas Wreath Salad, or Christmas Tree Veggie Tray.
- For a main course, try One Pan Garlic Rosemary Beef Roast and Potatoes.
- Add side dishes to the meal like Cranberry Meatballs, Garlic Rosemary Roasted Carrots, or Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes.
- And for dessert? Indulge in these delicious Mini Gingerbread Bundt Cakes, adorable Reindeer Cupcakes, delicate Snowflake Cookies, or a classic Gingerbread Cake Roll.
🔪 Essential Kitchen Tools & Equipment

Making this bread is simple and only requires a standard half sheet baking sheet and parchment paper.
For ingredient preparation, you’ll also need:
- A sturdy cutting board
- Sharp kitchen shears
- A reliable knife
- A microwave-safe bowl
- A food-safe pastry brush
More Festive Christmas Recipes
For more holiday cooking and baking inspiration, check out our entire holiday recipes collection. Here are some more easy Christmas recipes to get you started:
- Christmas Charcuterie Board
- Christmas Tree Veggie Tray
- Reindeer Cupcakes
- Gingerbread Cake Roll
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!
Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread Recipe
A festive and delicious appetizer perfect for your holiday celebrations.
Ingredients:
- 1 large egg
- 1 Tablespoon water
- 24 ounces refrigerated crescent roll dough (2-3 containers)
- 8 mozzarella sticks
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 Tablespoons chopped parsley, divided
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, whisk together egg and water for the egg wash.
- Slice each mozzarella stick into four pieces.
- Unroll crescent roll dough and separate into triangles. Cut each triangle in half lengthwise.
- Place a mozzarella piece at the wide end of each triangle and roll towards the point. Seal edges.
- Form the dough into a Christmas tree shape on the baking sheet.
- Brush with egg wash.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- While baking, melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Whisk in garlic powder and half of the parsley.
- Once baked, brush with butter mixture and sprinkle with parmesan cheese and remaining parsley.
- Serve immediately with marinara or pesto sauce.
Notes:
Serve with marinara sauce, pesto sauce, and/or ranch dressing.
Nutrition (per serving, approximately):
- Calories: 112 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Protein: 3g
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Sodium: 238mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary.