How to Make a Christmas Tree Out of Cheese-Stuffed Pesto Bread Bites

Call us crazy, but we’re always in full holiday swing. We get that the holidays are a stressful time and we’re guilty of last minute decorations, gifts and parties, too, but fret no more.

Whether you’re hosting a holiday feast, or attending someone else’s potluck, this easy pesto appetizer is sure to impress a crowd. It’s simple and fast to make, but sounds sophisticated AF — and makes a great centerpiece for the dinner table.

Feel free to arrange in other fun shapes to celebrate other holidays as well.

Pesto and Cheese-Stuffed Pull-Apart Christmas Tree Rolls

• Prep Time:10 minutes
• Cook Time:20 minutes
• Total Time:30 minutes
• Servings:5
• Easy

Ingredients

• 1 can Pillsbury refrigerated regular pizza crust
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 tablespoon pesto sauce
• 2 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 cup marinara sauce, for dipping

• Step 1

  Preheat oven to 400°F.

• Step 2

  Unwrap pizza dough onto a clean surface and roll out into a 10×15 rectangle.

  

• Step 3

  Using a knife or pizza cutter, cut into 36 equal pieces.

  

• Step 4

  In a small bowl, mix mozzarella and cream cheese until thoroughly combined.

  

• Step 5

  Scoop about 1 teaspoon of cheese mixture onto every square of dough.

  

• Step 6

  Wrap dough edges around cheese and seal tightly to form a ball.

  

• Step 7

  Place formed balls aside on a baking sheet.

  

• Step 8

  Arrange rolls into a Christmas tree formation.

  #SpoonTip: We built a pyramid with a base of seven rolls and saved two for the tree trunk and five for the star at the top of the tree.

  

• Step 9

  To make a star, arrange four rolls around one. For the outside rolls, gently flatten one side of the ball and pinch the other side.

  

• Step 10

  Brush a generous amount of pesto sauce over each roll.

  

• Step 11

  Bake for 17-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Meanwhile, microwave butter with dried rosemary and basil at 20-second intervals until melted.

  

• Step 12

  Drizzle butter mixture over the rolls.

  #SpoonTip: For maximum efficiency before serving, warm your marinara sauce in the microwave for 30-60 seconds. Stir every 20 seconds to ensure even heating.

  

• Step 13

  Serve immediately with warmed marinara sauce.

  

• Step 14

  Pull apart, dip in marinara sauce and enjoy.