1 pound refrigerated pizza dough, at room temperature
8 ounces mozzarella cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes or pieces of cheese sticks
4 tablespoons butter, melted
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 large egg, beaten with one tablespoon of water
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Optional: Red pepper flakes for a bit of heat
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. In a small bowl, prepare your egg wash by whisking the egg and water together until smooth.
Divide your pizza dough into approximately 30 small pieces of equal size. If the dough is too sticky, you can lightly flour your hands. Take one piece of cheese and wrap a piece of dough around it, pinching the edges firmly to seal the cheese inside. Roll it between your palms to create a smooth, round 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 balls below it, then three, and so on, until you have a wide base. Use the remaining two or three balls to form a small trunk at the bottom center of the tree. Ensure the balls are touching slightly so they bake together.
Brush the entire tree generously with the egg wash. This will give the bread a beautiful golden shine once it bakes. In a separate small bowl, mix half of the melted butter with the minced garlic and oregano. Lightly drizzle or brush some of this mixture over the dough balls before they go into the oven.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted. While the bread bakes, mix the remaining melted butter with the chopped parsley and grated parmesan cheese. Once the tree comes out of the oven, immediately brush it with this herb and parmesan mixture while it is still hot.
