If you’re looking for a festive, fun, and absolutely delicious way to wow your family and friends this holiday season, I’ve got just the thing for you. This Christmas Tree Pizza Recipe is one of my go-to crowd-pleasers — it’s cheesy, packed with flavors, and looks so cute on the table, everyone will want a slice. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become a permanent part of your holiday celebrations!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive and Fun: Shaped like a Christmas tree, it adds instant holiday cheer to your table.
- Cheese-Stuffed Goodness: The mozzarella sticks tucked inside create gooey, melty pockets of joy.
- Simple Ingredients: You probably already have everything on hand, so it’s easy to whip up anytime.
- Kid and Crowd Pleaser: My family goes crazy for this recipe every holiday — and your guests will too!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Christmas Tree Pizza Recipe lies in its simple yet tasty ingredients that blend perfectly together. I recommend grabbing fresh mozzarella sticks and a good-quality refrigerated dough to keep things easy and delicious.
- Pizza dough: Look for refrigerated bread dough if you want a shortcut, or use your favorite homemade dough for extra love.
- Mozzarella cheese sticks: These become the ooey-gooey stuffed centers — freshly shredded mozzarella just wouldn’t have the same fun effect!
- Olive oil: Olive oil helps crisp the dough and add a nice golden finish.
- Italian herbs: A blend of oregano, basil, and thyme adds that classic Italian pizza vibe without any extra fuss.
- Alfredo sauce: I love how creamy this sauce contrasts with the crispy dough — store-bought is just fine here.
- Pesto sauce: Just a touch to bring fresh basil flavor and an inviting green color twist.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: For melty, cheesy goodness on top that pulls apart beautifully.
- Green bell pepper: Thinly sliced to create garland-like decorations, adding color and crunch.
- Cherry tomatoes: Halved to look like little ornaments on your pizza tree.
- Mini pepperoni slices: The “baubles” that bring a savory punch and make everyone smile.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Sprinkled on at the end to finish with a nutty, salty touch.
Variations
You can pretty much customize this Christmas Tree Pizza Recipe to suit any taste or dietary need. I like to switch things up depending on who I’m serving and what’s in the fridge — and honestly, a bit of creativity here goes a long way!
- Gluten-Free Variation: I once swapped out regular dough for gluten-free pizza crust, and honestly, it worked wonderfully — just keep an eye on bake time.
- Vegetarian Option: If you want to skip the pepperoni, piling on mushrooms, olives, or artichokes works great to keep the festive feel.
- Spicy Twist: I’ve added a sprinkle of red pepper flakes and swapped regular olives with jalapeño slices to give it a little kick that my spice-loving friends really enjoy.
- Kids’ Versions: When my nieces help make this, they use fun-shaped veggies like star-cut bell peppers and olives, making it extra playful.
How to Make Christmas Tree Pizza Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Dough
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C) and placing the rack in the center. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat baking mat — this helps the crust bake evenly and prevents sticking. Then, roll out the pizza dough into a large triangle shape on a lightly floured surface to resemble a Christmas tree. This part is so fun — I like to make mine about 12 inches tall so there’s plenty of room for toppings and folds.
Step 2: Add the Cheese Sticks and Fold
Next, place mozzarella sticks vertically in the middle of the dough, leaving some space at the edges. This is the secret to those cheesy pockets everyone raves about! Now, cut horizontal strips on both sides of the triangle at about 1-inch intervals. Carefully twist each strip toward the middle to create “branches.” This shaping is what makes it look like a festive tree—don’t rush it!
Step 3: Brush and Add Sauces
Combine the Alfredo and pesto sauce, then spread it lightly over the tree, avoiding the twisted strips’ edges so the dough stays nice and crisp. Use a pastry brush (or the back of a spoon) to evenly coat the dough with olive oil and sprinkle Italian herbs all over for extra flavor. This step ensures every bite bursts with seasoning.
Step 4: Decorate Your Pizza Tree
Top your Christmas Tree Pizza with shredded mozzarella cheese. Then get creative! Lay out the green bell pepper slices to mimic garland, scatter halved cherry tomatoes like little ornaments, add mini pepperoni slices as the bright red baubles, and sprinkle grated Parmesan for a snowy effect. Have fun arranging the toppings—it’s like edible holiday art!
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Bake the pizza for 20 to 25 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling delightfully. Mine usually takes about 23 minutes, but that can vary depending on your oven. Keep an eye on it towards the end, and if the cheese starts browning too fast, pop a piece of foil loosely on top. Once baked, let it cool for a few minutes so it sets just right and those cheesy pockets don’t ooze out too much when you slice.
Pro Tips for Making Christmas Tree Pizza Recipe
- Cheese Stick Placement: Make sure the mozzarella sticks don’t touch the edges so they don’t leak out during baking.
- Twisting Technique: Twist your dough strips firmly but gently for the prettiest tree shape that holds well while baking.
- Sauce Balance: Mixing Alfredo with pesto gives a heavenly creamy herbal flavor that isn’t overwhelming—try it before just plain marinara.
- Baking Watch: I learned to watch the cheese toward the end to prevent burning—cover with foil if needed.
How to Serve Christmas Tree Pizza Recipe
Garnishes
I love finishing this pizza with a light drizzle of balsamic glaze or fresh basil leaves when serving—it adds a lovely pop of flavor and those vibrant green leaves just look so festive alongside the red tomatoes and pepperoni.
Side Dishes
Pair your Christmas Tree Pizza with a crisp green salad or some roasted garlic Brussels sprouts for a well-rounded holiday meal. I like to serve it alongside a warm cup of tomato basil soup when it’s extra chilly—it’s cozy and comforting.
Creative Ways to Present
Once, for a holiday brunch, I made mini Christmas Tree Pizzas as finger foods on a large platter sprinkled with edible confetti. You can also serve it on a rustic wooden board with sprigs of rosemary and cranberries tucked around to enhance the festive vibe—it’s such a conversation starter!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers? I wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep well for up to 3 days, and believe me, there’s rarely any leftover anyway!
Freezing
To freeze, assemble the pizza but don’t bake it. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready, bake it straight from frozen—just add about 5-7 extra minutes of bake time. This method has saved my holiday dinners more than once!
Reheating
I like to reheat leftover pizza slices in a skillet over medium-low heat to keep the crust crispy. You can also pop them in a toaster oven or regular oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes, which warms the cheese up nicely without making the crust soggy—definitely better than the microwave.
FAQs
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Can I make this Christmas Tree Pizza Recipe vegetarian?
Absolutely! Just skip the mini pepperoni slices and load up on veggies like mushrooms, olives, or even roasted red peppers. It tastes just as festive and delicious without meat.
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What’s the best dough to use for Christmas Tree Pizza?
I usually use refrigerated bread dough for ease and consistent results, but homemade pizza dough works wonderfully too if you want that fresh-made flavor and texture.
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Can I prepare the pizza ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble it and store it uncooked in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. This makes it perfect for busy holiday parties.
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How do I prevent the cheese from leaking out during baking?
Make sure to place the mozzarella sticks well inside the dough’s center, away from edges, and twist dough strips firmly, so the pizza holds its shape and keeps that cheesy filling perfectly inside.
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Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Definitely! Kids love the fun tree shape and gooey cheese pockets. Plus, they can help decorate the pizza with their favorite toppings, making it a fun holiday activity.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Tree Pizza Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it combines everything I love about the holidays — fun shapes, delicious comfort food, and the joy of sharing with loved ones. Whether you’re pulling this out for a holiday party or a cozy night in, I promise it’ll bring smiles all around. Give it a try — I’d bet you’ll end up making it a new tradition just like I have!
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Christmas Tree Pizza Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Easy Christmas Tree Pizza is a festive and fun appetizer perfect for the holiday season. Featuring a cheese-filled dough base shaped like a Christmas tree and topped with a blend of mozzarella, Alfredo sauce, pesto, and colorful vegetables, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser that combines simple ingredients with creative presentation.
Ingredients
Dough and Sauce
- 1 pound pizza dough (or two 11-ounce cans refrigerated bread dough)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup Alfredo sauce (store-bought is fine)
- 1 tablespoon jarred pesto sauce
- 2 teaspoons Italian herbs
Cheese
- 5 mozzarella cheese sticks
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Toppings and Garnishes
- ½ small green bell pepper (sliced to make garland)
- ¼ cup cherry tomatoes (sliced in half)
- 2 tablespoons mini pepperoni slices
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) and place the oven rack in the center position. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat baking mat to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Dough: Roll out the pizza dough into a large triangle shape to resemble a Christmas tree. Make sure the size fits nicely on your prepared baking sheet.
- Fill Dough with Cheese: Lay the mozzarella cheese sticks evenly on the dough, leaving space around the edges, then fold the dough edges over to enclose the cheese, creating a stuffed crust resembling the tree shape.
- Apply Sauces: In a small bowl, mix the Alfredo sauce and pesto together, then spread this mixture evenly over the top of the dough tree, ensuring that it is well coated for flavor.
- Add Herbs and Cheese: Sprinkle the Italian herbs, shredded mozzarella cheese, and grated Parmesan evenly on top of the sauced dough for extra flavor and cheesiness.
- Decorate with Toppings: Use the sliced green bell pepper to create a garland look across the tree. Arrange the halved cherry tomatoes and mini pepperoni slices to mimic ornaments across the surface.
- Bake: Place the pizza tree on the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm and enjoy your festive Christmas Tree Pizza!
Notes
- This pizza is a delightful and festive appetizer for holiday gatherings.
- You can substitute the mozzarella sticks with shredded mozzarella if preferred.
- Feel free to customize the toppings to your liking to create your own Christmas pizza decorations.
- Using refrigerated bread dough is a quick alternative to homemade pizza dough, saving time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 186 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 547 mg
- Fat: 2 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
