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Garlic Bread Christmas Tree

By Snejana Andreeva

on Nov 18, 2022, Updated Nov 11, 2023

Introducing my Garlic Bread Christmas Tree – a gorgeous and delicious cheesy recipe that takes only 10 minutes to put together. You can never go wrong with cheese and bread – you’ll make all your guests happy. To make this as simple as possible, I recommend going for the convenience of store-bought pizza dough, but you can always try homemade pizza dough if you prefer.

Why You’ll Love Garlic Bread Christmas Tree
How to Prepare
Nonna’s Tip
Variations and Substitutions for Garlic Bread Christmas Tree
Other Holiday Recipes
Common Questions
Garlic Bread Christmas Tree Recipe

Why You’ll Love Garlic Bread Christmas Tree

This beautiful tree 🎄 comes together so easily. You’ll have your guests thinking you were in the kitchen for hours, when you and I will know this took you mere minutes to prepare. Creating a Garlic Bread Christmas Tree is just so festive!

This bread can also be enjoyed plain or made with brie and jam , or Nutella for a sweet twist. For the sweet variation, skip the butter and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Whether fresh out of the oven or reheated, this fun holiday treat promises to bring a smile to everyone’s face because of how it looks and even more importantly how it tastes.

How to Prepare

🔥 Preheat the oven to 400°F.

🫒 Apply a small amount of oil to the counter for smooth rolling of the pizza dough. Place the dough on the counter and sprinkle with flour.

🌿 Roll out the dough into a rectangular shape. Cut it into 23 equal pieces. If there are extras, they can be baked separately.

🧀 Take each piece, add a cube of mozzarella or preferred cheese, and shape it into a ball.

🎄Then, on a parchment paper -lined baking sheet, assemble the tree by placing six dough balls, then five, four, three, two, one, and two more for the base .

🥚 Once assembled, cover and let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes. After resting, brush it with egg wash, avocado oil, or coconut oil if egg-free.

♨️ Now bake at 400°F for 20 minutes. If not golden, broil for 1-2 minutes while watching closely.

🌿 Mix and brush the garlic-herbed butter over the tree. Enjoy it hot while the cheese is melted, or let it cool, refrigerate, and reheat the next day in the oven.

Nonna’s Tip

You can make this the day before letting it cool completely and wrapping it up really tightly with saran wrap. The following day you can reheat it in the oven at 350F until it’s nice and warm. This way, your Garlic Bread Christmas Tree is ready without much fuss when needed.

Variations and Substitutions for Garlic Bread Christmas Tree

Feel free to try different cheeses 🧀 like cheddar, gouda, or even a blend of different cheeses.
As I mentioned above, you can feel free to make this a sweet bread and use brie and jam, Nutella, or even cinnamon sugar. If you opt for this version, I would recommend leaving out the butter and sprinkle with powdered sugar instead.
You can definitely experiment with 🌿 additional herbs in your garlic-herbed butter; you could try adding rosemary, thyme, or oregano.
If you need to make a gluten-free version, I recommend looking for a pre-made gluten-free pizza dough.
Similarly, if you’re looking for a vegan option , you could check your local grocery store for a plant-based pizza dough. Don’t forget to use vegan butter if you’re going this route.

Other Holiday Recipes

If this Pull-Apart Garlic Bread Christmas Tree looks fun, try some of my other holiday entertaining ideas, including drinks like my Holiday Candy Cane Prosecco .

Antipasti Christmas Wreath

10 mins

Holiday Butter Board

20 mins

Holiday Cheese Board

20 mins

Common Questions

You can make this the day before letting it cool completely and wrap it up really tightly with saran wrap. The following day you can reheat it in the oven at 350F until it’s nice and warm.

If you are vegan, feel free to leave out the cheese and you can substitute the egg wash for avocado or coconut oil and you can use vegan butter, herbs, and garlic to brush on top.

If you are gluten-free, please try to find a gluten-free pizza dough.

I use Redmond Real Salt , please note that depending on the salt you use, your dish may be less or more salty. Salt is always to taste. Always taste and adjust as you cook.

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Video

Equipment

▢ Baking Sheet
▢ Parchment Paper
▢ Rolling Pin
▢ Pastry Brush

Ingredients

▢ 1.5 pounds pizza dough , store-bought
▢ 1 tablespoon oil
▢ sprinkle of flour , for dusting
▢ 23 cubes mozzarella , or any cheese
▢ 1 egg , for the egg wash
▢ 1 tablespoon water , for the egg wash

The Garlic Butter

▢ 3 tablespoons softened butter
▢ ¼ cup Parmigiano , grated
▢ 1 garlic clove , minced
▢ fresh or dry parsley , to taste

Instructions

▢ Preheat the oven to 400°F. Add a little bit of oil to the counter so that the pizza dough can roll out nicely. Place your dough on top and sprinkle a little bit of flour.
▢ Roll it out with a rolling pin into a nice rectangular shape. Cut out 23 equal pieces and if you have more, you can definitely bake those on the side. Take each piece of dough and add a cube of mozzarella or any cheese you like and form into a ball.
▢ On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper begin to assemble your tree. Add six doughballs, then five, four, three, two, one, and two more for the bottom of the tree as a base.
▢ Cover it and let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes and once it has rested you can brush it with some egg wash or even some avocado or coconut oil if you are egg-free.
▢ Bake at 400F for 20 minutes and if it’s not fully golden I like to put mine as I watch it the whole time on broil for 1-2 minutes.
▢ Mix the ingredients for the garlic herbed butter and brush it on top!
▢ This bread best enjoyed hot while the cheese is melted but you can also let it cool completely by putting it in the fridge and then re-heat it the following day in the oven. Enjoy.

My Notes

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Garlic Bread Christmas Tree

Equipment

Baking Sheet
Parchment Paper
Rolling Pin
Pastry Brush

Ingredients

1.5 pounds pizza dough store-bought
1 tablespoon oil
sprinkle of flour for dusting
23 cubes mozzarella or any cheese
1 egg for the egg wash
1 tablespoon water for the egg wash

The Garlic Butter

3 tablespoons softened butter
¼ cup Parmigiano grated
1 garlic clove minced
fresh or dry parsley to taste

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Add a little bit of oil to the counter so that the pizza dough can roll out nicely. Place your dough on top and sprinkle a little bit of flour.
Roll it out with a rolling pin into a nice rectangular shape. Cut out 23 equal pieces and if you have more, you can definitely bake those on the side. Take each piece of dough and add a cube of mozzarella or any cheese you like and form into a ball.
On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper begin to assemble your tree. Add six doughballs, then five, four, three, two, one, and two more for the bottom of the tree as a base.
Cover it and let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes and once it has rested you can brush it with some egg wash or even some avocado or coconut oil if you are egg-free.
Bake at 400F for 20 minutes and if it’s not fully golden I like to put mine as I watch it the whole time on broil for 1-2 minutes.
Mix the ingredients for the garlic herbed butter and brush it on top!
This bread best enjoyed hot while the cheese is melted but you can also let it cool completely by putting it in the fridge and then re-heat it the following day in the oven. Enjoy.

Video

Nutrition

Garlic Bread Christmas Tree https://themodernnonna.com/garlic-bread-christmas-tree/ November 18, 2022

Home › Recipes › Cookies & Snacks

Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies

By Snejana Andreeva

on Dec 15, 2022, Updated Nov 08, 2023

Add as a preferred source on Google - 11

My lemon cheesecake thumbprint cookies melt in your mouth . This recipe is one of those recipes that you’ll need to triple, because it’s THAT good. 🍋Whether you’re a lemon lover or simply looking for a unique and delicious cookie, these Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies are a must-try. They’re perfect for any occasion, from a casual afternoon tea to a fancy dessert spread.

Why You’ll Love Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies
How to Prepare
Nonna’s Tip 🍋
Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies Variations and Substitutions
Other Holiday Recipes
More Holiday Cookies
Common Questions
Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Why You’ll Love Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies

These lemon cheesecake thumbprint cookies are ideal for anyone who cannot tolerate 🥚 eggs as they are completely egg-free . The dough takes 5 minutes to whip up, so these cookies are easy enough for anyone who is not even a baker. They’re only 5 ingredients , which you probably already have on hand. I can honestly say that this is one of those cookie recipes that you cannot get enough of.

How to Prepare

🥣 Use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or a hand-held mixer and bowl to cream butter and cream cheese for about 2 minutes until smooth.

🍋 Add sugar and lemon extract and mix until smooth . Then add flour, and mix until a sticky dough forms. Scrape down the sides to fully incorporate any remaining flour.

🧊 Cover the cookie dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for one hour.

🥄 Remove dough from the refrigerator, use a small ice-cream scooper to portion the cookies, rolling each in a touch of flour to prevent sticking.

🍓 Place rolled cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper . Flatten each with your thumb, creating an indent, and add a teaspoon of preferred jam/preserve to the center.

🔥 Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake the lemon cheesecake thumbprint cookies for 13-15 minutes or until the edges are light and golden brown .

❄️ Allow the cookies to cool completely and optionally dust with icing sugar. They can be stored at room temperature for up to a week.

Nonna’s Tip 🍋

You MUST refrigerate the cookie dough for at least one hour and you have to use a touch of flour to roll each one as they will stick.

Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies - 12

Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies Variations and Substitutions

Try adding a decorative topping like chopped nuts or a sprinkle of coarse sugar for holiday decoration.
I have not tried this recipe with gluten-free flour , but feel free to experiment with a gluten-free 1-1 replacement and let me know how it goes!
Instead of lemon extract , you could try almond, vanilla, orange or another you have on hand.
Feel free to experiment with different jams or preserves , for example, you could use strawberry, raspberry, apricot or even marmalade.
You could try dairy-free or vegan alternatives to the butter and cream cheese if you or your guests have allergies.