Food

Pull-Apart Christmas Tree — A Cheesy Holiday Centerpiece

When the holiday table starts filling up with casseroles and casseroles again, it feels good to add something fun — something shared, warm, and cheesy, right out of the oven. This Pull-Apart Christmas

Tree does just that. It’s a show-stopping appetizer: gooey cheese tucked inside golden dough balls, arranged like a little evergreen — perfect for gathering around with family or friends. It’s quick enough for a last-minute addition yet festive enough to steal the spotlight. Serve it warm with a side of marinara or ranch — and let the tree disappear, one cheesy bite at a time.

Yields: 8 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: ~40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 lb refrigerated pizza dough (room temperature)
  • 7 mozzarella sticks
  • All-purpose flour, for dusting
  • 1 large egg + 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • ~¼–½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (for butter topping + sprinkling)
  • Fresh herbs (about 1 tablespoon each: chopped parsley, basil, and rosemary — or use Italian seasoning)
  • Crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for serving)
  • Warm marinara or your favorite dip (optional, for serving)

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 450 °F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. On a well-floured surface, divide the pizza dough in half. Stretch and roll each piece into a long rectangle.
  3. Cut the dough rectangles into 2-inch squares — you’ll need about 33 squares total.
  4. Cut each mozzarella stick into 1-inch pieces. Wrap each mozzarella piece in a dough square, pinching seams to seal so you have 33 dough-wrapped cheese balls.
  5. Arrange the balls, seam-side down and touching, on the prepared baking sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree (wider at the base, narrowing toward the top).
  6. Whisk the egg with 1 tablespoon of water to make an egg wash, and brush it over the dough balls.
  7. Bake until golden — about 15 to 20 minutes.
  8. While baking, combine melted butter, grated Parmesan, and chopped herbs in a small bowl.
  9. When the tree comes out of the oven, brush the butter-herb-Parmesan mixture all over. Sprinkle additional Parmesan (and herbs or red pepper flakes if desired) on top.
  10. Serve warm — with marinara or dip of your choice on the side.

Serving Suggestions & Notes

  • This pull-apart tree shines best fresh and warm: the gooey cheese and buttery crust are most irresistible right out of the oven.
  • Great as a party centerpiece — guests can tear off “branches” and dip them, making it both fun and easy.
  • If you want a little kick, a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes adds nice contrast to the cheesy richness.
  • Leftovers (if any!) warm up well — just pop in a low 250 °F oven for 10–15 minutes to melt cheese and crisp up the crust again.

Editor’s Note

This Pull-Apart Christmas Tree is the kind of centerpiece that brings people together — no utensils needed, just hands grabbing warm, cheesy bites. It’s festive without fuss, indulgent without pretension, and makes a great addition — or even the centerpiece — of a holiday snack table.

Photo Credit: Delish