12/17/2025
Fa-la-la-la-la, tis' the season to be jolly with a yummy holiday recipe!
Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread
Yield: 32 piecesPrep
Time: 1 hour (for dough and assembly)
Bake Time: 25-35 minutes
For the dough:
1 Tablespoon active dry yeast, roughly 2 packets
1 cup lukewarm water (110º to 120º)
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 Tablespoon olive oil
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon TCB fine sea salt
For the fillings: (fillings are up to your own preferences and are optional)
32 small cubes of meltable cheese such as mozzarella, fontina, cheddar, gruyere
32 pieces of pepperoni
For the toppings: (again, these are optional)
Melted butter or olive oil for brushing over the top
Grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh parsley
Cherry tomatoes
For the dough:
1. Sprinkle the yeast on top of the water in a large mixing bowl and add the sugar. Stir gently until dissolved.
2. Allow to proof until slightly foamy and aromatic to ensure yeast is alive, about 5 minutes.
3. Add oil, 1/2 of the flour and salt, and mix until incorporated.
4. Work in the remaining flour. Turn out mixture, which may be slightly sticky, onto a floured surface.
5. Knead several turns by hand until smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes. Adjust consistency, if necessary, with a small amount of flour. Dough should be barely moist and no longer sticky.
6. Shape dough into a ball, place it in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap.
7. Let the dough rise at room temperature until doubled, 60 to 75 minutes, or in the refrigerator overnight. (This can also be made in a stand mixer.)
For the assembly:
1. Preheat oven to 400°.
2. Take the dough out of the bowl and portion into about 1oz pieces (to make the tree you will need 32 pieces total).
3. Place a piece of cheese and pepperoni in the center of each piece of dough, seal the dough around the filling, and roll into a ball.
4. Once rolled, begin placing the dough balls onto a sheet tray lined with parchment or a Silpat into the shape of the tree. Start with the top and work your way down to the bottom.
5. When the tree is finished, brush a light amount of melted butter or olive oil over the top of the dough.
6. Bake in the oven until all of the dough sections are golden brown, about 25-30 minutes.
7. When the pull apart bread comes out of the oven, brush more butter or oil on top and sprinkle on some grated Parmesan, chopped parsley and garnish with tomatoes.
8. Serve with extra melted butter and your favorite tomato sauce for dipping.
