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
Ingredients
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Unwrap pizza dough onto a clean surface and roll out into a 10×15 rectangle.
Using a knife or pizza cutter, cut into 36 equal pieces.
In a small bowl, mix mozzarella and cream cheese until thoroughly combined.
Scoop about 1 teaspoon of cheese mixture onto every square of dough.
Wrap dough edges around cheese and seal tightly to form a ball.
Place formed balls aside on a baking sheet.
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.
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.
Brush a generous amount of pesto sauce over each roll.
Bake for 17-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Meanwhile, microwave butter with dried rosemary and basil at 20-second intervals until melted.
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.
Serve immediately with warmed marinara sauce.
Pull apart, dip in marinara sauce and enjoy.