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

There’s nothing quite like the buttery, cheesy aroma of freshly baked pull-apart bread to make the holiday season feel extra cozy. The Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe is one of those show-stopping treats that’s both delicious and fun to make — perfect for sharing with friends and family while you sip hot cocoa in the kitchen.

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

This Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe is an absolute crowd-pleaser and one I always pull out during the holidays. It’s not just tasty — it’s interactive and festive, making it perfect for bringing everyone together in the kitchen and around the table.

Unique Presentation: Shaped like a Christmas tree, it instantly adds charm to your table without any fancy plating.
Kid-Friendly and Fun: Pull-apart bread means everyone can grab their own cheesy morsel, no forks needed.
Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples and easy-to-find mozzarella sticks, this recipe is stress-free even at the busiest time of year.
Versatile for Serving: Perfect on its own or dipped in marinara or pesto — so many ways to enjoy!

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

Every ingredient in the Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe plays its part in creating a flavorful, gooey, and golden masterpiece. Knowing a bit about each helps you shop smarter and feel confident as you bake.

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: Using canned jumbo biscuits means no fuss making dough from scratch, plus they bake up fluffy and light — essential for soft pull-apart bread.
Mozzarella cheese sticks: Cut into small pieces, they melt perfectly inside each dough ball providing ooey-gooey goodness.
Butter (salted): Brushed on top, it adds richness and helps the bread brown nicely with a golden crust.
Garlic cloves: Freshly minced garlic gives an irresistible aroma and flavor — trust me, it’s a game changer over garlic powder here.
Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs like oregano and basil brings classic Italian flair to the garlic butter.
Large egg: Beaten and brushed on the dough, it creates a beautiful shiny finish on the bread.
Parmesan cheese (optional): A sprinkling at the end adds an extra layer of savory flavor and a bit of crisp texture.

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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

The beauty of this Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe is how easily you can tweak it to match your tastes or dietary needs. I often experiment with different cheeses and herbs, so feel free to make it your own!

Variation: Sometimes I swap mozzarella for pepper jack or add diced jalapeños for a little spicy kick — it always livens things up and surprises guests!
Dietary tweak: For gluten-free friends, using gluten-free biscuit dough works well, though baking time might vary slightly.
Seasonal twist: Adding chopped fresh rosemary or thyme to the garlic butter brings a lovely woodsy note perfect for winter evenings.

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

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients and Space

Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. While that’s heating, cut each jumbo biscuit into four pieces — you’ll end up with about 32 dough squares, but you only need 31. Then, slice mozzarella sticks into 31 small pieces so each dough bite will have its own cheesy center. Setting everything up clearly makes the next steps a breeze.

Step 2: Fill and Shape Your Dough Balls

Place a piece of mozzarella on each biscuit square, then gently fold and pinch the edges to seal in the cheese. Roll each one smoothly into a ball — make sure those seams are well sealed so the cheese doesn’t leak out during baking! I usually get 31 perfect balls and lay them directly onto the parchment in a Christmas tree shape, with the seams facing downward.

Step 3: Egg Wash and Bake

Whisk the beaten egg and brush it lightly over all the dough balls to help create a golden, glossy crust. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes, but keep a close eye — if the tops brown too fast, throw some foil over it to prevent burning. The bread should be puffed, golden, and irresistible.

Step 4: Make & Brush Garlic Butter

While the bread bakes, melt the butter and stir in the minced garlic and Italian seasoning. When the bread’s fresh out of the oven, brush the garlic butter all over the warm rolls, and sprinkle Parmesan on top if you like. That final step adds so much flavor and shine — don’t skip it!

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that make this Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe come out perfect every time. These simple pointers will save you time and keep the cheesy goodness inside.

Seal Well: Be sure to pinch and seal each biscuit piece completely around the cheese — it keeps the mozzarella from oozing out and making a mess.
Watch the Bake Time: Different ovens vary, so start checking around 15 minutes to prevent over-browning.
Garlic Butter Timing: Brush the garlic butter right after baking while the bread is warm for the best absorption and flavor.
Make Ahead: You can assemble the tree a day ahead and keep it in the fridge until baking — great for holiday meal planning!

How to Serve Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe

cheesy garlic Christmas tree bread - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping the tree with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan and a scatter of finely chopped parsley — the green adds a festive touch and an extra pop of flavor that friends really notice. You can also add a bit of crushed red pepper if you like a subtle kick.

Side Dishes

For dipping, marinara sauce and pesto are my go-tos and they never disappoint. I also sometimes serve alongside a fresh arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to balance out the richness. It makes for a well-rounded festive meal.

Creative Ways to Present

A fun trick I use is placing a tiny star-shaped cheese crisp or a red bell pepper “star” at the top of the tree for a playful holiday vibe. When serving, I set the bread on a wooden board surrounded by small bowls of dipping sauces and toothpicks for guests to easily grab their cheesy pulls.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers? No worries! Store the bread in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. I find keeping it sealed tight keeps the dough from drying out, and reheated pieces taste almost as good as fresh.

Freezing

I’ve frozen assembled but unbaked trees wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, then baked straight from frozen adding a few extra minutes to the bake time. This trick is perfect for prepping in advance and still enjoying fresh-baked bread the day of your gathering.

Reheating

For reheating, I crisp leftovers in a toaster oven or air fryer at 350°F for about 5 minutes. This revives the crust while keeping cheese melty and luscious; microwaving works too but softens the outer crust.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use different types of cheese in this recipe?

Absolutely! While mozzarella melts beautifully and has that classic mild flavor, you can try pepper jack for some spice, cheddar for sharpness, or even a combo. Just cut into similarly sized pieces for even melting.

Is it okay to prepare the Christmas tree bread ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the bread tree a day ahead. Keep it covered in the refrigerator on the baking sheet, then bake fresh right before serving. It saves you time on busy holiday days and still tastes fantastic.

What’s the best way to reheat leftover bread without drying it out?

The best way I've found is reheating in an air fryer or toaster oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes. This crisps the crust while keeping the cheese meltingly soft. Microwave reheats faster but can make the crust chewy or soggy.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Definitely! Look for gluten-free biscuit dough in your grocery or specialty stores. The texture might vary slightly, and baking times could be a little different, but it’s a wonderful adaptation for gluten-sensitive guests.

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe is truly one of my all-time holiday favorites. It’s not only a delicious centerpiece for any holiday table but also such a fun way to get everyone eating and laughing together. I can’t recommend giving it a try enough—it brings that little extra magic to the kitchen and the gathering. Go ahead, make the kitchen smell incredible and enjoy this festive, cheesy pull-apart treat with your favorite people!