Description

This Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread is a festive and delicious homemade bread shaped like a Christmas tree. It features a soft, fluffy dough filled with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, seasoned with oregano for a flavorful twist. Perfect for holiday gatherings, this bread combines simple ingredients with a fun shaping technique to create a delightful centerpiece that’s as tasty as it is beautiful.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 packet active dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 cup warm water
2 tablespoons olive oil

Cheese Filling & Seasoning

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon dried oregano

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Instructions

Activate Yeast: In a bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5 minutes until the mixture is foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
Mix Dough Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Mix until a cohesive dough begins to form.
Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Let Dough Rise: Place the kneaded dough into a greased bowl, cover with a cloth or plastic wrap, and allow it to rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) while the dough is rising for the second time.
Shape the Dough: Punch down the risen dough and roll it out into a rectangular shape on a floured surface.
Add Cheese and Seasoning: Sprinkle evenly the shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan cheese, and dried oregano over the rectangle of dough. Fold and shape the dough into a Christmas tree form by cutting and twisting sections to create branches.
Second Proof: Place the shaped dough onto a greased baking sheet and let it rise for another 30 minutes to puff up.
Bake the Bread: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown on top and fully cooked inside.
Cool and Serve: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool slightly before slicing and serving. Enjoy your festive cheesy bread!

Notes

Warm water should be between 100-110°F to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
Adjust baking time slightly depending on your oven and the thickness of your dough.
You can add herbs like rosemary or thyme for additional flavor variations.
Letting the bread cool slightly helps to set the cheese and makes slicing easier.
This bread is best served fresh but can be reheated gently in the oven the next day.