16 ounces refrigerated pizza dough, at room temperature
7 mozzarella cheese sticks, cut into 1 inch pieces
1/4 cup melted butter
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 cup marinara sauce, for dipping
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper so the bread does not stick and is easy to move later. Lightly flour your work surface to prevent the dough from clinging to the counter.
Divide your pizza dough into two equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope and cut each rope into 16 to 18 equal portions, aiming for about 33 pieces in total. This ensures you have enough balls to form a full tree with a sturdy trunk.
Take one piece of dough and flatten it into a small circle in the palm of your hand. Place a piece of the mozzarella stick in the center. Wrap the dough around the cheese and pinch the seams tightly to seal it, then roll it between your palms to form a smooth ball.
Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet in a triangle pattern to resemble a Christmas tree. Start with one ball at the top, followed by a row of two, then three, and so on, until you reach the bottom. Use the remaining three or four balls to form a rectangular trunk at the base of the triangle.
In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Use a pastry brush to coat each dough ball generously with the butter mixture. Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the entire tree.
Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. You want the bread to be a beautiful golden brown and the cheese to be completely melted inside. If any cheese leaks out, do not worry, it just adds to the rustic holiday look.
Remove the tree from the oven and immediately brush on any remaining garlic butter. Sprinkle the fresh parsley over the top to give it a vibrant green, festive appearance. Serve warm with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.
