pull-apart Christmas tree recipe

Bob Cratchit’s Cheesy Pull-Apart Christmas Tree

Ingredients:

  • 14 oz. of premade pizza dough
  • Mozzarella cheese cut into 3/4” chunks
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • Two cloves fresh garlic, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp. of finely chopped basil leaves
  • 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • Handful of small basil leaves for garnish
  • Sweety Drop Miniature Peppers for garnish
  • Rosemary for garnish
  • Marinara for dipping

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 450°F.
  2. Mix the olive oil and garlic together and set aside.
  3. Divide the pizza dough into equal-size pieces. You will need about 20 pieces to make the tree shape.
  4. Make a ball with the dough, and gently insert a piece of cheese into the center. Be sure to seal the cheese inside the dough so it will not escape while baking.
  5. Place the balls seam side down on a parchment-covered cookie sheet. Be sure to have them slightly touching each other.
  6. Brush the dough with the olive oil garlic mixture.
  7. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
  8. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and immediately return to oven for about 3 minutes to toast the cheese.
  9. Sprinkle with the basil leaves and garnish with remaining ingredients.