Name: Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 17 min
Total time: 32 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 16 oz can jumbo biscuits, each biscuit cut into fourths (31 pieces needed); 7-8 mozzarella cheese sticks, cut into 31 pieces; 4 tbsp salted butter; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; 1 large egg, beaten; Optional: grated parmesan cheese for garnish

There’s something undeniably festive and comforting about a warm, gooey bread centerpiece. This Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe is not only a showstopper on your holiday table but also a total crowd-pleaser. Imagine pulling apart perfectly baked, garlicky, cheesy bites shaped like a Christmas tree—how fun is that?

The dish is shaped like a Christmas tree made of small round bread rolls with a golden brown, slightly shiny crust, sprinkled with herbs and black pepper. The rolls are arranged in a triangular pattern with six layers: the top layer has 1 roll, the second has 2, the third has 3, the fourth has 5, the fifth has 6, and the bottom has 7 rolls, creating a full tree shape. The bread sits on crumpled brown parchment paper, placed on a white marbled surface scattered with fresh rosemary sprigs. To the bottom right of the bread tree, there is a small white cup filled with bright red sauce. Around the scene, there are three glasses with a light golden drink and various rustic kitchen items that add a cozy feel. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I first tried making this Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe a few years ago when I needed a festive appetizer that everyone could share without fuss. Apart from tasting phenomenal, it’s so interactive and simply joyful to pull apart that it immediately became a holiday staple in my house.

Eye-Catching Presentation: The tree shape instantly adds Christmas spirit and works as fun edible décor on your holiday table.
Perfect Party Food: Each bite is a cheesy, garlicky ball that's easy for guests to grab without mess.
Super Simple to Assemble: Using biscuit dough saves loads of time and effort—no need to make dough from scratch.
Delicious Flavors: Garlic, Italian seasoning, and gooey mozzarella come together in a flavor-packed bite that’s hard to resist.

A close-up view of a cluster of soft, round golden brown dinner rolls baked closely together, each roll topped with small specks of herbs and a shiny, slightly oily surface. The rolls are placed on crinkled brown parchment paper over a white marbled surface. In the lower right corner, a small white bowl filled with smooth reddish-orange dipping sauce is partially visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this recipe plays a role in building that irresistible combination of fluffy dough, melty cheese, and rich garlic butter. Here’s a quick rundown on why these ingredients are my go-tos, plus a couple of shopping tips:

Flat lay of a dozen golden jumbo biscuit dough pieces each cut into fourths arranged neatly, a cluster of fresh white mozzarella cheese sticks sliced into multiple pieces, a small white ceramic bowl filled with melted golden butter, three peeled garlic cloves next to a tiny pile of minced garlic, a small white bowl containing a mix of dried Italian seasoning herbs, one large whole brown egg with an uncracked shell, and a small white ceramic bowl holding finely grated pale parmesan cheese, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Jumbo Biscuits: The ready-made biscuit dough is a brilliant shortcut, providing soft but structured pockets that hold cheese beautifully.
Mozzarella Cheese Sticks: Easy to cut and portion, mozzarella melts gorgeously and gives you that stretchy cheese pull we all adore.
Salted Butter: Using salted butter adds a perfect touch of seasoning in the garlic butter glaze—no need to add extra salt later.
Fresh Garlic: Minced fresh garlic adds that vibrant punch and aroma you just can’t beat with store-bought substitutes.
Italian Seasoning: This classic blend deepens the flavor with Italian herbs, complementing the cheese and garlic so well.
Egg: Used for brushing, it gives the bread a beautiful golden color and slight shine that makes it feel truly special.
Parmesan Cheese (Optional): A final sprinkle adds a salty, nutty finish on top that elevates the whole experience.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This is where you can really have fun making this recipe your own. I’ve tried adding different cheeses or a sprinkle of chili flakes inside for a little heat. You can even use different dip sauces to mix up the flavor experience every time.

Cheese Variety: I once swapped out mozzarella for a mix of mozzarella and sharp cheddar—loved the extra depth and color!
Herb Swaps: Try fresh rosemary or thyme in the garlic butter for a herbaceous twist that smells incredible.
Dietary Adjustments: Using vegan butter and dairy-free cheese works well if you want to accommodate dairy-free friends.
Extra Garnish: A sprinkle of red pepper flakes or chopped fresh parsley on top adds a nice visual and flavor pop.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F and lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. While the oven warms, slice each jumbo biscuit into fourths—you’ll want 31 pieces in total, so set one piece aside. Also, cut those mozzarella sticks into 31 bite-sized strips so each dough piece gets some cheesy goodness.

Step 2: Seal the Cheese Inside the Dough

Place a small bit of mozzarella on each biscuit piece, then pinch and seal the dough edges tightly. I like rolling mine gently between my palms to shape neat little cheese-stuffed balls. This ensures the cheese stays inside while baking, avoiding messy leaks.

Step 3: Form the Christmas Tree

Arrange your cheese balls on the baking sheet, positioning them carefully so they’re touching and form a Christmas tree shape. Make sure the seams where you sealed the dough are facing downward—this helps keep the cheese tucked inside and gives the bread a smooth finish. Once arranged, brush the entire tree gently with beaten egg for that golden, shiny crust.

Step 4: Bake and Butter Up

Bake your tree for 15–17 minutes until golden and puffy. Keep an eye on it toward the end, and if you notice it browning too quickly, tent it loosely with foil. While it bakes, melt the butter and stir in the minced garlic and Italian seasoning. When you pull the bread from the oven, brush the garlicky butter all over the top—this little step really cranks up the flavor and aroma.

Step 5: Add Final Touches and Serve

If you want, sprinkle some freshly grated Parmesan over the top for a salty, nutty finish that’s hard to resist. Serve your Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread warm with bowls of marinara and pesto sauce on the side for dipping. Trust me—this is finger food that will disappear in minutes!

Top Tip

From my experience making this Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe, keeping your cheese balls tightly sealed is key to a mess-free, cheesy pull-apart bread everyone will love.

Seal Nicely: Pinch the dough edges thoroughly to avoid cheese leaking out during baking. I often double-check by holding each ball in my hand before placing it on the sheet.
Watch the Bake Time: Oven temperatures vary, so start checking at 15 minutes. If the bread browns too fast but isn’t cooked through, tent with foil to prevent burning.
Butter While Hot: Brush your garlicky butter immediately after baking so it soaks into the warm dough beautifully.
Use Fresh Garlic: The fresh minced garlic really wakes up the flavor—in my opinion, no shortcuts here!

How to Serve Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe

Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

For garnishes, I love the finishing touch of a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley and a little grated Parmesan on top. It adds that festive green and extra flavor. Some folks add a light dusting of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick that’s very cozy in winter.

Side Dishes

This bread pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides—think a fresh green salad to balance the richness or a bowl of warm soup like tomato basil or butternut squash. Of course, don’t forget small bowls of marinara and pesto for dipping!

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve had guests absolutely love when I put this bread right on a wooden cutting board surrounded by tiny festive picks so everyone can grab individual cheese balls easily. Another fun idea is placing edible “ornaments” such as cherry tomatoes or olives on the tree—makes the presentation even more whimsical!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After the party, store leftover Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread in an airtight container in the fridge—my family usually enjoys it within 3 to 5 days. It reheats nicely, so don’t worry if you have some pieces left over.

Freezing

I’ve frozen the unbaked tree (once shaped but before baking) by tightly covering it in plastic wrap and foil. When I’m ready to bake, I let it thaw in the fridge overnight and then bake as usual. This is a great way to prep in advance and still enjoy fresh bread.

Reheating

Reheat your leftovers gently in the air fryer or oven to bring back the crisp exterior. If you’re in a hurry, the microwave works too—just keep it short so the bread doesn’t get rubbery. I usually add a quick brush of leftover garlic butter before reheating for that fresh-baked flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use homemade dough instead of biscuit dough?

Absolutely! You can substitute your favorite homemade bread dough. Just make sure it’s rolled and cut into similar-sized pieces so the tree shape comes together well.

What’s the best way to avoid cheese leaking out?

The key is sealing the dough edges tightly around the cheese before shaping into balls. I find pinching and rolling the dough helps create a good seal that keeps the cheese inside while it bakes.

Can I prepare this Christmas tree bread ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the entire tree and keep it covered in the fridge for up to a day before baking. This makes it perfect for prepping before a big holiday gathering.

What dips go best with this Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe?

I usually serve marinara and pesto sauces because they complement the cheese and garlic flavors beautifully. You could also try a roasted red pepper dip or garlic aioli for something different.

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it combines festive fun with comfort food in one irresistibly shareable treat. Whether you’re bringing something unique to a holiday gathering or wanting a cozy night in with the family, this recipe has you covered. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—there’s nothing quite like the joyful mess of pulling apart cheesy little parcels with people you love.