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; 1 large egg, beaten; 4 tbsp salted butter; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; Optional: grated parmesan cheese for garnish

Nothing sets the festive mood quite like the irresistible smell of warm, garlicky cheese wafting through your kitchen. This Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe is that perfect blend of fun and flavor, making it a standout appetizer or snack that's as delightful to look at as it is to eat.

The image shows a Christmas tree shape made from 28 small round golden-brown baked bread balls arranged in a triangle on crumpled parchment paper. The bread balls are shiny and sprinkled with herbs, giving a textured look. The tree shape has six rows—one ball at the top, increasing by one with each lower row, and six balls on the bottom row. Around the tree, there are fresh green rosemary sprigs scattered. At the bottom right corner, there is a white measuring cup filled with a smooth red-orange dipping sauce. In the background, there is a white marbled surface with two glasses of light yellow drink placed to the top right, wine corks, a pair of black scissors, and some red berries adding a rustic 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

I've made this Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread more times than I can count during the holidays, and it never fails to wow guests. It’s simple to pull together but feels special—a real crowd-pleaser that doubles as festive décor on your table.

Pull-Apart Fun: Each little cheese-filled bread ball is easy to share, making it perfect for parties or family gatherings.
Rich Garlic Flavor: The melted butter mixed with fresh garlic and Italian seasoning creates an addictive aroma and taste you won’t want to stop nibbling on.
Quick & Easy Prep: Using pre-made biscuit dough means you can whip this up even if you’re short on time but want something impressive.
Visually Stunning: The tree shape adds that festive touch, turning a simple snack into a centerpiece that sparks conversation.

A close-up view of 15 shiny golden brown bread rolls clustered together on brown parchment paper, each roll topped with specks of black pepper and herbs, showing a soft and slightly textured surface. To the lower right edge, a small white bowl filled with smooth bright red dipping sauce adds color contrast. A sprig of green rosemary lies near the bowl on the white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe plays a key role in balancing flavor, texture, and ease. The combination creates bread that’s soft on the inside with a flavorful, golden crust outside.

Flat lay of a pile of light golden biscuit dough quarters, several long white mozzarella cheese sticks cut into small chunks, a few peeled garlic cloves minced finely in a small white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl with melted golden butter, a small white bowl with Italian seasoning herbs, one large whole brown egg with a clean shell, a small white bowl filled with grated pale yellow parmesan cheese, all arranged symmetrically 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: Its flaky texture bakes up beautifully and acts as the perfect vessel for the gooey cheese inside.
Mozzarella Cheese Sticks: Melts evenly and provides that irresistible cheesy pull in every bite.
Salted Butter: Adds richness and helps create that golden, buttery crust that's so inviting.
Garlic Cloves: Fresh minced garlic gives the bread a vibrant, punchy flavor that's more aromatic than any powder.
Italian Seasoning: Brings an herby depth that complements the cheese and garlic beautifully.
Egg: Brushed on top, it gives the bread a shiny, golden finish.
Parmesan Cheese (Optional): Adds a salty, nutty layer to the aroma and flavor when sprinkled on top.

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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 love that this Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe is totally customizable. Whether you swap cheeses or add your favorite herbs, personalizing it makes it even more fun to share.

Variation: Sometimes I like adding chopped fresh basil or rosemary to the garlic butter for a herbaceous twist—your guests notice the difference immediately!
Cheese swap: Feel free to mix mozzarella with sharp cheddar or pepper jack for a bold flavor kick.
Spicy touch: A sprinkle of red pepper flakes in the garlic butter gives a subtle heat that balances the richness well.
Dietary tweak: For a gluten-free twist, try using gluten-free biscuit dough if you can find it – it still tastes fabulous!

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

Step 1: Prepping the Dough and Cheese

The first step is straightforward but key. Cut each jumbo biscuit into quarters—you’ll want 32 pieces, although you’ll only need 31. Then, slice your mozzarella cheese sticks into 31 equal pieces. This prep might seem small, but trust me, having everything ready makes assembly a breeze.

Step 2: Stuffing and Shaping the Cheese Balls

Place a piece of mozzarella on each dough square. Pinch the edges tightly to seal in that melty goodness, then roll into smooth balls with your hands. Make sure they’re sealed well so the cheese doesn’t leak out while baking—no one wants a mess in the oven!

Step 3: Forming the Christmas Tree

Arrange your balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet in the shape of a tree, with the seams facing down for a smooth look. They should be close enough to touch but not squished. This shape is what makes the bread extra special and festive.

Step 4: Egg Wash and Baking

Whisk a large egg and gently brush it over the dough balls. This step makes the bread turn that beautiful golden-brown color during baking. Bake at 400°F for 15 to 17 minutes. Keep a close eye, especially toward the end, and if it starts browning too fast, cover loosely with foil to prevent burning.

Step 5: Garlic Butter Glaze

As the bread bakes, melt the butter and mix in fresh minced garlic and Italian seasoning. The smell is intoxicating—I promise you’ll want to brush every inch of these rolls with it as soon as they come out of the oven. Don’t forget that sprinkle of parmesan if you want to add an extra savory punch.

Top Tip

From my experience making this Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe multiple times, a few tips can make all the difference in how perfectly your bread turns out and how much everyone enjoys it.

Sealing the Cheese: Make sure the biscuit dough edges meet firmly around the cheese so it doesn't ooze out while baking.
Even Sizing: Try to keep the dough pieces and cheese chunks uniform so the bread bakes evenly and looks balanced.
Watch the Oven: Ovens vary, so check your bread a couple of minutes before time’s up to avoid over-browning.
Garlic Butter Timing: Brush your garlic butter glaze just as the bread comes out of the oven—warm rolls absorb it best.

How to Serve Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe

Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle a generous amount of grated parmesan over the top right after brushing the garlic butter. Sometimes fresh chopped parsley adds a lovely pop of color and a fresh note. These little details really jazz up the presentation and flavor.

Side Dishes

This bread pairs beautifully with dipping sauces—my go-to’s are marinara for that classic Italian vibe and pesto for a fresh, herbal punch. For a heartier meal, serve alongside a crisp Caesar salad or a warm bowl of tomato soup.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I added small olive “ornaments” by placing them on toothpicks and dotting them around the bread tree—it looked charming and tasted great! Wrapping a festive ribbon around the baking sheet before serving adds an extra holiday touch, turning your bread into an edible centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (and you might!), store the bread in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. This keeps it soft and tasty. I like to warm it briefly before serving to bring back that fresh-from-the-oven feel.

Freezing

I’ve frozen the unbaked dough balls assembled on the baking sheet, covered tightly, and then baked them straight from frozen—just add a few extra minutes to the baking time. It’s a game-changer for prepping early and having a last-minute festive snack ready.

Reheating

Reheat leftover bread wrapped in foil at 350°F for about 10 minutes, or pop pieces in the air fryer for a few minutes to regain crispiness. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep that buttery crust from turning soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen biscuit dough for this recipe?

Absolutely! Frozen biscuit dough works just as well—just make sure to thaw slightly so it’s easier to cut and shape, and be mindful that baking time might be a bit longer if cold from the fridge.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free or vegan?

Substituting dairy-free buttery spread and vegan cheese sticks can help make this recipe dairy-free or vegan friendly, but you’ll want to check that your biscuit dough is vegan as well. The texture might change slightly, but it’s still delicious.

What’s the best way to prevent the cheese from leaking out?

Make sure to pinch the biscuit dough edges completely closed around the cheese and roll into nice, tight balls. If any seams aren’t sealed well, cheese can ooze out when baking.

Can I prepare this bread in advance?

Definitely! You can assemble the bread tree a day ahead and store it covered in the fridge, then bake fresh right before serving. This saves time on the day of your event and still delivers fresh, warm bread.

Final Thoughts

I truly adore this Cheesy Garlic Christmas Tree Bread Recipe—not just because of how delicious it is but because it brings people together. Watching everyone reach in to pull apart warm cheesy bites while sharing stories is what holiday magic feels like to me. I can't recommend it enough if you want something simple, festive, and utterly irresistible for your next gathering.