Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread – The Ultimate Holiday Showstopper

If there’s one dish that always steals the spotlight at a holiday table, it’s a warm, gooey, Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread. Think buttery biscuit dough, melted mozzarella and cheddar, aromatic garlic butter, and a golden crust that’s impossible to resist. Whether you serve it as an appetizer, side, or centerpiece for your Christmas party, this bread guarantees instant smiles and empty plates.

This festive favorite is easy to make, crowd-pleasing, and bursting with flavor. It’s the perfect combination of comfort food and holiday magic — every bite melts in your mouth with cheesy, garlicky goodness.

Let’s unwrap the full recipe and see how you can bring this holiday masterpiece to your table.

🧀 Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread

• Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: You only need a few pantry staples — refrigerated biscuit dough, shredded cheese, garlic, butter, and herbs.
• Quick Prep: Ready to bake in just 15 minutes of prep time.
• Festive & Fun: Shaped like a Christmas tree, wreath, or classic loaf — it’s perfect for serving at any holiday gathering.
• Crowd Favorite: There’s something magical about tearing apart warm bread and watching strings of cheese stretch — it’s irresistible!
• Versatile: Serve it as an appetizer, snack, or alongside soups and roasts.

🍞 Ingredients

For the Bread:

• 2 cans refrigerated biscuit dough (like Pillsbury Grands)
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp dried parsley (plus extra for garnish)
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Optional for Garnish:

• Fresh chopped parsley
• Melted butter for brushing
• A sprinkle of crushed red pepper (for a little holiday heat)

🕒 Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare:
   Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a large baking dish or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Make the Garlic Butter:
   In a small bowl, mix melted butter, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and set aside.
3. Prepare the Dough Balls:
   Open the biscuit cans and separate the dough pieces. Cut each biscuit into quarters. Roll each quarter into a small ball.
4. Add the Cheese Filling:
   In a large bowl, combine mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheese. Toss lightly to mix.
5. Combine Everything:
   Pour the garlic butter mixture over the dough balls. Add the cheese blend and gently toss everything together to coat evenly.
6. Shape the Bread:
   • For a Christmas tree shape: Arrange the dough balls in a triangular tree form on your baking sheet.
   • For a wreath: Create a circular shape with a hole in the center.
   • For a classic pull-apart loaf: Layer them in a loaf pan.
7. Bake to Golden Perfection:
   Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.
8. Brush and Garnish:
   Brush the warm bread with extra melted butter and sprinkle with fresh parsley.
9. Serve and Enjoy:
   Serve immediately while the cheese is still gooey. Watch everyone pull apart their favorite bite — warm, stretchy, and buttery.

Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread

This easy and festive Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread is loaded with melted cheese, garlic butter, and herbs — the perfect holiday appetizer for sharing.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 8 people

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Holiday

Calories: 320

Ingredients

  

Bread Dough

• 2 cans refrigerated biscuit dough
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter melted
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Pastry brush

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix melted butter, garlic, Italian seasoning, parsley, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Cut biscuit dough into quarters and roll into small balls.
4. Toss dough balls in garlic butter, then add cheese and mix gently.
5. Arrange dough balls into a Christmas tree, wreath, or loaf shape.
6. Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden and cheese is bubbly.
7. Brush with melted butter, garnish with parsley, and serve warm.

Notes

For a festive touch, sprinkle with red pepper flakes or add bits of bacon before baking.

🎅 Holiday Tip: Add a Touch of Christmas Flair

To make your Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread extra festive:

• Add color: Mix in finely chopped red bell peppers and spinach for a red-and-green Christmas theme.
• Sweet version: Swap cheese and garlic for cinnamon sugar and cream cheese icing for a sweet holiday pull-apart bread.
• Serve with dips: Marinara, ranch, or garlic aioli pair beautifully for dipping.

🧈 Serving Suggestions

This bread isn’t just delicious on its own — it pairs perfectly with your favorite holiday dishes:

• Serve alongside roast turkey or ham.
• Pair with creamy soups like broccoli cheddar or tomato basil.
• Add to a charcuterie board as a warm centerpiece.
• Serve as a fun appetizer at Christmas parties.

It’s the perfect bite-sized finger food for mingling and sharing festive cheer.

🔄 Variations

1. Herb & Cheese Explosion

Add chopped rosemary, thyme, or basil for an extra aromatic twist.

2. Bacon Lovers’ Pull Apart

Fold in crispy cooked bacon bits — the smoky flavor is a game-changer.

3. Spicy Kick

Add diced jalapeños or a pinch of chili flakes for a zesty version.

4. Mediterranean Style

Swap mozzarella for feta and add sun-dried tomatoes and olives.

5. Gluten-Free Version

Use gluten-free biscuit dough or make your own gluten-free dough for a celiac-friendly version.

💡 Tips for Success

• Use Fresh Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that affect melting. Grate your cheese for the best gooey texture.
• Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on your bread during the last few minutes — it should be golden but still soft inside.
• Serve Warm: This bread is best served fresh out of the oven for maximum pull-apart satisfaction.
• Make Ahead: You can prepare the dough balls ahead, refrigerate them, and bake just before guests arrive.

🧑‍🍳 Fun Fact: The Origin of Pull Apart Bread

Pull apart breads have been a family favorite across cultures for decades. Known in the Midwest as monkey bread, and in Europe as tear and share bread, this dish symbolizes togetherness — the heart of Christmas celebrations. There’s something so inviting about everyone reaching in to pull off a cheesy, buttery bite.

This version, with its festive shape and cheesy filling, takes that timeless comfort food and transforms it into the ultimate Christmas appetizer.

🍽️ Storage & Reheating

If you somehow end up with leftovers:

• Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Reheat: Warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5–8 minutes, or microwave briefly until soft and cheesy again.
• Freezing: You can freeze baked pull-apart bread. Wrap tightly in foil and freeze up to a month. Thaw and reheat before serving.

⭐ Conclusion

This Cheesy Pull Apart Christmas Bread brings everything you want to the holiday table — it’s simple, festive, and downright addictive. Each pull reveals melted cheese, buttery dough, and the irresistible scent of garlic and herbs.

Whether you’re hosting a large family dinner or a cozy holiday brunch, this bread is your secret weapon for instant holiday joy.

So grab your biscuit dough, melt that butter, and bake your way to holiday magic. ✨