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; Optional: grated parmesan cheese for garnish; 1 large egg, beaten

There’s something about the soft, cheesy pull-apart goodness of this festive bread that instantly lifts the mood in the kitchen. This Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe not only tastes incredible but makes a charming centerpiece that your guests will love digging into.

The image shows a Christmas tree shape made from 28 small round golden-brown baked bread balls arranged in a triangle on crumpled parchment paper. The bread balls are shiny and sprinkled with herbs, giving a textured look. The tree shape has six rows—one ball at the top, increasing by one with each lower row, and six balls on the bottom row. Around the tree, there are fresh green rosemary sprigs scattered. At the bottom right corner, there is a white measuring cup filled with a smooth red-orange dipping sauce. In the background, there is a white marbled surface with two glasses of light yellow drink placed to the top right, wine corks, a pair of black scissors, and some red berries adding a rustic 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

Honestly, this bread is one of my favorite holiday creations because it’s unexpectedly easy yet unbelievably impressive. When I first made it, I couldn’t believe how something so simple could wow so many people!

Festive and Fun: The Christmas tree shape is instantly charming and perfect for holiday gatherings.
Pull-Apart Goodness: Everyone loves tearing off bite-sized cheesy dough balls—it’s like edible party magic.
Easy to Make: Uses store-bought biscuits and simple ingredients, so no elaborate dough kneading required.
Flexible and Delicious: The garlicky butter and mozzarella combo hits all the right savory notes every time.

A close-up view of 15 shiny golden brown bread rolls clustered together on brown parchment paper, each roll topped with specks of black pepper and herbs, showing a soft and slightly textured surface. To the lower right edge, a small white bowl filled with smooth bright red dipping sauce adds color contrast. A sprig of green rosemary lies near the bowl on the white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe lies in using simple ingredients that come together beautifully without fuss. Each has its role: the biscuits provide effortless structure, the cheese adds melty richness, and the garlic butter seals in flavor.

Flat lay of a pile of light golden biscuit dough quarters, several long white mozzarella cheese sticks cut into small chunks, a few peeled garlic cloves minced finely in a small white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl with melted golden butter, a small white bowl with Italian seasoning herbs, one large whole brown egg with a clean shell, a small white bowl filled with grated pale yellow parmesan cheese, all arranged symmetrically 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: The perfect base for pull-apart dough since they're soft, pillowy, and pre-made for convenience.
Mozzarella Cheese Sticks: These melt evenly inside each dough ball, giving you gooey cheese pull with every bite.
Butter (salted): Adds richness and acts as the flavor carrier when mixed with garlic and seasoning.
Garlic Cloves: Fresh is best here; minced garlic brings that classic savory punch.
Italian Seasoning: Brings herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme that complement garlic and cheese perfectly.
Egg (beaten): A simple egg wash gives the bread a golden, glossy finish.
Parmesan Cheese (optional): For a salty, nutty garnish that elevates the presentation and flavor.

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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 tweaking this recipe a little bit each year depending on what I have on hand. It’s such a flexible base that you can personalize easily — feel free to get creative!

Variation: Once, I swapped out mozzarella for a mix of mozzarella and sharp cheddar for an extra tangy cheese pull—it was a hit at our family party.
Herb Twist: Adding fresh rosemary or thyme to the garlic butter instead of Italian seasoning alters the profile nicely.
Dietary Option: Use gluten-free biscuit dough if you prefer gluten-free; just be mindful of baking time as it might vary.
Spicy Kick: Sprinkle red pepper flakes into the garlic butter before brushing for a subtle heat surprise.

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

Step 1: Prep Your Dough and Cheese

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F and lining your baking sheet with parchment. Cut each jumbo biscuit into fourths — this is the foundation of your "branches." Take your mozzarella sticks and slice them into pieces matching the dough segments; you’ll want one cheese piece per dough square for even distribution.

Step 2: Fill and Shape Your Cheese Balls

Place a piece of mozzarella in the center of each dough square, then seal the edges tightly by pinching and rolling them into smooth balls. This part is crucial to avoid cheese oozing during baking. A gentle, confident roll between your palms usually does the trick.

Step 3: Arrange into a Tree Shape

On the parchment-lined sheet, place the dough balls seam-side down and close together to form a Christmas tree shape. This visually festive layout is what makes the recipe stand out at gatherings.

Step 4: Egg Wash and Bake

Brush the assembled tree gently with your beaten egg to encourage a golden crust. Bake for 15-17 minutes watching closely towards the end to avoid burning. If it browns too quickly, tent foil loosely over the bread.

Step 5: Garlic Butter Finish

While baking, melt your butter and stir in the fresh minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Once your bread comes out of the oven, brush this fragrant mixture all over, then sprinkle with optional Parmesan. The aroma alone is enough to make anyone’s mouth water.

Top Tip

Having made this recipe several times, I’ve learned a few tricks that really help it shine and keep things stress-free in the kitchen.

Seal Those Edges Well: Make sure to pinch the dough edges tightly around the cheese to prevent any cheese leakage and sticky messes in the oven.
Watch Your Baking Time: Ovens can vary, so keep an eye starting at 14 minutes—no one wants burnt bread when it’s so close to perfect!
Brush While Hot: Apply the garlic butter as soon as the bread is out of the oven for the best flavor absorption and aroma impact.
Use Quality Cheese: Fresh mozzarella sticks melt better and give you that classic stringy cheese pull we all crave.

How to Serve Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe

Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle a little extra grated Parmesan and fresh chopped parsley over the top right after brushing with garlic butter. It adds a pop of color and an extra layer of flavor that’s both visual and tasty.

Side Dishes

This bread pairs perfectly with marinara and pesto sauces for dipping. During holiday dinners, I love setting out a small cheese and charcuterie board to complement the bread and make a full cozy snack spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive touch, I sometimes add small red pepper "ornaments" by sticking thin slices on top of a few dough balls before baking. It’s an easy way to amp up the holiday spirit visually without extra effort.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After your guests have had their fill, wrap any leftover bread tightly in plastic and pop it into an airtight container in the fridge. It stays fresh for up to 5 days, and I honestly enjoyed mine cold for a quick snack, too.

Freezing

I’ve frozen the unbaked shaped bread a day before and then baked it straight from the freezer by adding a few extra minutes to the baking time. It’s a huge time saver if you want to prep ahead for your holiday party.

Reheating

To bring leftovers back to life, I recommend reheating in the air fryer or oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes to regain crispness, or a quick zap in the microwave with a damp paper towel for moist softness.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular biscuit dough instead of jumbo biscuits?

Yes! Regular biscuit dough works fine, though you might want to use slightly more dough portions or adjust the size of your cheese pieces accordingly to keep the bread balanced.

What’s the best cheese for this recipe?

Fresh mozzarella sticks are ideal because they melt well and provide that signature stretchy cheese pull, but a blend with mild cheddar or provolone can also add nice flavor.

Can I make this recipe vegan or dairy-free?

You can substitute vegan biscuit dough and use vegan cheese sticks to make this recipe dairy-free. Just make sure your vegan cheese melts well to preserve the gooey texture.

What dipping sauces pair best with this bread?

Classic marinara and basil pesto are my go-tos because their bright flavors complement the rich, cheesy bread beautifully. You could also try a garlicky aioli or spicy salsa for a different twist.

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe holds a special place in my holiday heart because it’s the perfect blend of fun, flavor, and simplicity. It creates moments where everyone gathers around, tearing into warm, gooey bites while admiring the festive shape. Trust me, once you try it, it’ll become a staple you look forward to every year — I can’t wait for you to make and share it with your loved ones!