1 pound refrigerated pizza dough, at room temperature
7 ounces mozzarella cheese, cut into 1 inch cubes
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional for color
1 cup marinara sauce, for dipping
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure the bread does not stick and to make cleanup easier later on.
On a lightly floured surface, divide the pizza dough into approximately 30 equal sized pieces. Take one piece of dough and flatten it into a small disc, then place a cube of mozzarella cheese in the center. Pinch the edges of the dough together tightly to seal the cheese inside, rolling it between your palms to form a smooth ball.
Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree. Start with one ball at the top, then two below it, and continue increasing the number in each row until you have a wide base. Use the remaining two or three balls to create a small trunk at the bottom center of the tree.
In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter and minced garlic. Brush about half of the garlic butter over the dough balls. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted inside.
Remove the bread from the oven and immediately brush with the remaining garlic butter. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and rosemary over the top. Add a few red pepper flakes if you want a pop of festive color. Serve warm with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.
