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 something truly magical about gathering around warm, cheesy bread during the holidays. This Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe is not just delicious but looks festive on your table — perfect for sharing with family and friends. Let me walk you through why it’s become one of my favorite holiday traditions to bake.

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 recipe is special because it's so much more than just bread; it’s a hands-on, pull-apart experience fun for everyone at the holiday table. Plus, the blend of gooey mozzarella and garlicky butter is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Easy to make: You don’t need fancy ingredients or complicated techniques to get impressive, delicious results.
Festive presentation: Shaped like a Christmas tree, it adds a delightful centerpiece to your holiday spread.
Perfectly cheesy: Each pull-apart piece reveals gooey mozzarella that’s satisfying and savory.
Customizable flavors: You can easily switch up seasonings or cheeses to suit your taste or dietary needs.

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 this Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe plays its part to build layers of flavor and texture. From soft biscuit dough that bakes into golden, pillowy spheres to the melted mozzarella at the center, it all comes together effortlessly.

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 Biscuit Dough: Using canned jumbo biscuits keeps this recipe super simple while providing a soft, slightly buttery base perfect for pulling apart.
Mozzarella Cheese Sticks: The cheese melts beautifully and stretches satisfyingly between each bite, which is part of the fun!
Butter: Salted butter brings richness and helps blend flavors when mixed with garlic and herbs.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic packs that punch of flavor that pairs so well with cheese and herbs.
Italian Seasoning: Adds a fragrant and subtle aromatic touch without overwhelming the other ingredients.
Egg (for egg wash): Gives the bread a shiny, golden finish when baked.
Optional Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkled on top for an extra layer of sharp, savory goodness and a nice crust.

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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 often like to tweak the herbs based on what I have on hand or what I’m serving this bread with. It’s fun to make it your own — that’s part of why this recipe shines!

Variation: Sometimes I swap out Italian seasoning for fresh rosemary and thyme when I want it to feel extra festive and fragrant around the holidays.
Cheese Swap: Feel free to mix mozzarella with sharp cheddar or pepper jack for a spicy twist.
Garlic-Free Option: If you’re serving guests who aren’t fans of garlic, you can brush the rolls with melted herb butter instead.
Make it Vegan: Use vegan buttery spread and dairy-free cheese sticks; the biscuits often have versions without dairy too.

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

Step 1: Prep and Cut Your Dough and Cheese

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F and lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper — this makes clean-up easier and prevents sticking. Cut each jumbo biscuit into four equal pieces; you should have 32, but you’ll only need 31 for the tree shape. Then, slice the mozzarella sticks into 31 pieces to match.

Step 2: Assemble the Cheese-Filled Dough Balls

Place one piece of mozzarella on each biscuit piece. Pinch the dough edges tightly to seal so cheese doesn’t ooze out while baking. Roll each piece smoothly between your palms to form a neat ball. Ensuring a good seal is key here to avoid messy cheese leaks.

Step 3: Shape Your Bread Tree

Arrange the dough balls on your baking sheet into a tree shape with the seams facing down. The balls should be close enough to touch slightly – this creates that lovely pull-apart effect when baked. You can freestyle the shape or use a template for guidance – I usually freestyle and it turns out cheerfully imperfect!

Step 4: Egg Wash and Bake

Whisk your beaten egg and gently brush it over all the dough balls. This helps the bread turn a shiny golden brown. Bake for 15–17 minutes, keeping an eye out so they don’t brown too quickly—if they do, lightly tent with foil to prevent burning.

Step 5: Garlic Butter Finishing Touch

While the bread bakes, melt the butter in a small pan and stir in minced garlic and Italian seasoning. When the bread comes out hot from the oven, brush this fragrant garlic butter all over. If you want, sprinkle Parmesan on top before serving for that extra oomph.

Top Tip

Getting great results with this Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe really comes down to a few simple tips I learned from trial and error in my own kitchen.

Seal the Edges Fully: Make sure every cheese piece is tightly enclosed within the dough to avoid leaks during baking.
Watch Your Bake Time: Ovens vary—start checking at 15 minutes to catch that perfect golden brown without overbaking.
Brush Butter Immediately: Brushing the garlic butter while the bread is hot helps it soak in beautifully for maximum flavor.
Use Parchment Paper: It prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.

How to Serve Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe

Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love finishing this bread with a sprinkle of finely grated Parmesan and some fresh chopped parsley or chives for a pop of color and brightness. It adds a bit of fresh flavor to cut through the richness.

Side Dishes

It’s perfect alongside a warm marinara sauce or herbal pesto for dipping. I also like to pair it with a fresh green salad or roasted vegetables for a balanced holiday meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party, I’ve arranged this bread on a festive platter surrounded by colorful veggies or even string lights to really make it the table’s star. Sometimes, I serve it with a small bowl of cocktail toothpicks nearby — guests love pulling the cheesy bites apart themselves.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover bread in an airtight container in the fridge, and it keeps beautifully for up to 5 days. Just warm it up before serving so the cheese is melty again.

Freezing

If you want to prep ahead, you can arrange the unbaked tree on parchment-lined baking sheet, cover tightly, and freeze. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as usual. This way, you get fresh bread without last-minute fuss.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers in a toaster oven or air fryer at a low temperature for a few minutes to keep the crust crisp and cheese gooey. The microwave works too, but you may lose some crispness.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use homemade biscuit dough instead of canned?

Absolutely! Homemade biscuit dough works wonderfully in this recipe. Just make sure your dough is soft and pliable so you can easily form the cheese-filled balls. Baking time may vary slightly, so keep an eye on the bread.

What if I don’t want to use mozzarella cheese sticks?

You can substitute mozzarella with other cheeses like cheddar, fontina, or even a mix of cheeses. Just cut them into stick-sized pieces so they fit nicely inside the dough balls and melt well.

How do I prevent the cheese from leaking out while baking?

The key is to pinch the edges of each dough piece tightly around the cheese, sealing it completely. Rolling them into smooth balls also helps create an even seal. If the dough isn’t sealed well, cheese will seep out during baking.

Can I prepare this bread a day ahead?

Yes! You can assemble the dough balls and form the tree on the baking sheet, then cover and refrigerate it overnight. When you’re ready, simply bake it fresh the next day.

Final Thoughts

I’ve found that this Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe turns every holiday gathering into a deliciously memorable occasion. It’s fun to assemble, impressive to serve, and oh-so-satisfying to eat. If you’re looking for a festive, shareable treat that’s easy to pull together and guaranteed to please, this is your go-to. Trust me—you’ll be making it again and again once you try it!