Recipe
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
Photo by Heather Feibleman
Step 1
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Step 2
Unwrap pizza dough onto a clean surface and roll out into a 10×15 rectangle.
Photo by Heather Feibleman
Step 3
Using a knife or pizza cutter, cut into 36 equal pieces.
Photo by Heather Feibleman
Step 4
In a small bowl, mix mozzarella and cream cheese until thoroughly combined.
Photo by Heather Feibleman
Step 5
Scoop about 1 teaspoon of cheese mixture onto every square of dough.
Photo by Heather Feibleman
Step 6
Wrap dough edges around cheese and seal tightly to form a ball.
Photo by Heather Feibleman
Step 7
Place formed balls aside on a baking sheet.
Photo by Heather Feibleman
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.
Photo by Heather Feibleman
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.
Photo by Heather Feibleman
Step 10
Brush a generous amount of pesto sauce over each roll.
Photo by Heather Feibleman
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.
Photo by Heather Feibleman
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.
Photo by Heather Feibleman
Step 13
Serve immediately with warmed marinara sauce.
Photo by Heather Feibleman
Step 14
Pull apart, dip in marinara sauce and enjoy.
Photo by Heather Feibleman