Name: Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 17 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 16 oz can jumbo biscuits, each biscuit cut into fourths; 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

Nothing quite says holiday fun like a warm, gooey, pull-apart bread shaped like a Christmas tree. This Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe takes the classic flavors everyone loves—cheese, garlic, and buttery bread—and turns it into a festive centerpiece that’s as delicious to eat as it is charming to look at.

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 remember the first time I made this Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe—it was a hit around the table immediately. There’s something magical about pulling apart that warm bread, gooey cheese stretching with every bite, all infused with garlic butter. It's perfect for gatherings or even a cozy night in.

Festive Fun Factor: The tree shape brings the holiday spirit right to your table, making it a great conversation starter.
Pull-Apart Convenience: No cutting needed—everyone can just pull off a cheesy ball, perfect for sharing.
Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples like biscuits, mozzarella, and garlic butter, it’s super approachable.
Versatile Serving Options: Serve it with marinara, pesto, or your favorite dip to mix things up easily.

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

This recipe uses simple, accessible ingredients that work beautifully together to create fluffy, cheesy, and flavorful bites. If you grab good-quality mozzarella and fresh garlic, you’ll really notice the difference in flavor here.

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: These pre-made biscuits provide a soft, pillowy dough that’s easy to shape and bakes up perfectly fluffy.
Mozzarella cheese sticks: The stringy, melty center of each bread ball—grab full-fat for the best melt.
Butter (salted): Adds richness and helps carry the garlic and seasoning flavors right onto the bread.
Garlic (minced): Fresh garlic is a must for that punch of savory goodness in every bite.
Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that gives that classic fragrant aroma we all associate with Italian garlic bread.
Egg (beaten): Brushed on for a glossy, golden crust that looks as good as it tastes.
Optional Parmesan cheese: A little extra saltiness and a crunchy top layer for those who like more cheesy depth.

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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

I love customizing this recipe to suit different tastes or dietary needs. It’s super flexible—feel free to swap in different cheeses or tweak the garlic seasoning to your preference. It's your festive bread, so make it your own!

Cheese Variations: I’ve tried adding cheddar or pepper jack for a little extra zing—both totally delicious.
Herb Twists: Toss in some fresh chopped rosemary or thyme if you want to elevate the aroma and add a personal touch.
Vegan Adaptation: Use vegan biscuits, dairy-free cheese, and garlic-infused olive oil instead of butter. Still fantastic!

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

Step 1: Prep like a pro

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F and lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper. It makes clean-up easier and gives you that beautiful golden bottom crust without sticking.

Step 2: Cut and fill your dough pieces

Here’s where the magic happens. Cut each jumbo biscuit into four equal parts—you’ll get about 32 pieces but only need 31. Then cut your mozzarella sticks into 31 pieces too, so each dough piece gets a perfect cheese center.

Step 3: Seal and shape your cheesy bites

Place a piece of cheese on each dough square, then carefully pinch the edges closed so the cheese is fully sealed inside. Roll each into a smooth little ball between your hands—this helps them bake evenly and prevents cheese leakage.

Step 4: Form the Christmas tree shape on your tray

Arrange your dough balls on the parchment-lined sheet, seams down, so they’re just touching. Shape them into a tree silhouette—it’s okay if it’s a little rustic; that’s part of the charm! Brush the beaten egg over the dough for a shiny, golden finish once baked.

Step 5: Bake and brush with garlic butter

Bake for 15 to 17 minutes, until the bread puffs up and turns a beautiful golden brown. Keep an eye on it—if it’s browning too fast, a foil tent will save the day. Meanwhile, melt your butter and mix in fresh garlic and Italian seasoning. Brush this heavenly mixture on the hot bread as soon as it comes out of the oven, and sprinkle Parmesan cheese if you like.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve realized that the key to perfect pull-apart bread is sealing those dough balls really well. A little cheese escaping is inevitable, but a tight seal keeps the bread looking neat and helps every bite have cheesy goodness inside.

Seal It Tight: Pinch and press edges firmly—don’t be shy here, or cheese will leak during baking.
Use Fresh Garlic: Powdered garlic just doesn’t have the same punch; fresh minced garlic bumps flavor up big time.
Keep Dough Slightly Warm: When shaping, room temperature dough is easier to work with and seals better than cold dough.
Foil Rescue: If it looks like the bread is browning too fast, tent a piece of foil to avoid burning while the centers finish baking through.

How to Serve Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe

Christmas Tree Bread - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love how the optional grated Parmesan adds a salty, crispy edge right out of the oven. A sprinkle of finely chopped fresh parsley or basil works wonders, too—adds a fresh color pop and brightens those buttery, cheesy flavors.

Side Dishes

Some marinara or pesto dipping sauce is a must for me—it cuts through the richness and complements the garlic perfectly. I’ve also served this alongside a fresh winter salad or a bowl of tomato soup for cozy vibes.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve placed the bread on a festive wooden board with mini bowls of sauces around it and a handful of toothpicks. It practically invites your guests to gather around and dig in. Wrapping a tiny string of battery-operated lights around the tray makes it look extra magical too!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover tree bread stores beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Just pop it in the microwave or warm it gently in an air fryer to revive that fresh-from-the-oven softness and melty cheese.

Freezing

I’ve frozen the unbaked tree before by covering it tightly and placing it in the freezer. When you’re ready, let it thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as usual—still tastes fresh and just as cheesy.

Reheating

To reheat, I like using an air fryer or conventional oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes. This crisps the crust and revives the gooey cheese inside better than the microwave alone.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular biscuit dough instead of jumbo?

You can absolutely substitute with regular biscuit dough, but you’ll want to adjust the number of pieces and cheese accordingly since regular biscuits are smaller. Just keep the ratio of dough pieces to cheese pieces about 1:1 to keep the pull-apart effect.

How do I prevent the cheese from leaking out?

Making sure to pinch the dough edges tightly is key. Also, slightly warming the dough before filling helps it seal better. If cheese does leak, it creates those tasty little crisp bits around the bread, which are a nice bonus!

Can I prepare this a day ahead?

Yes! You can assemble the entire Christmas tree on a baking sheet, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and keep it in the fridge overnight. When you’re ready, just brush with the beaten egg one more time and bake as directed.

What dipping sauces go best with this bread?

Classic marinara and pesto are my favorites since they add fresh, zesty flavors. You could also try a creamy ranch or even a spicy arrabbiata sauce to switch things up. It’s all about pairing with what you love!

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe has become one of those holiday traditions I look forward to every year. It’s the kind of recipe that brings people together—whether at Christmas dinner or just a casual snack time. The simple ingredients yield an impressive dish, and the fun shape means it always makes an event feel just a bit more special. Give it a try—you’ll love how easy and delicious it is, and your family or guests will thank you for the festive goodness!