Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread

This Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread bakes 20 soft spinach dough balls brushed with garlic parsley butter into a festive tree shaped centerpiece.

Course Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread

Prep Time 40

Cook Time 25

Rise Time 2

Servings pieces

Calories 112kcal

Author Jason Decker

Ingredients

For the Dough:

3 cups fresh spinach packed
1/3 cup milk
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup salted butter melted
1/2 tablespoon dry yeast
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon salt

For Brushing:

1/4 cup salted butter melted
1 1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
2 cloves garlic minced

Instructions

Add the fresh spinach and milk to a mini blender or food blender. Blend until the spinach is fully incorporated, and the mixture is smooth.
3 cups fresh spinach, 1/3 cup milk
In a large bowl or stand mixer, pour in the spinach and milk mixture.
Add the flour, butter, dry yeast, garlic powder, sugar, and salt. Mix all the ingredients well, either by hand or with a stand mixer with the hook attachment, until you have a smooth dough.
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup salted butter, 1/2 tablespoon dry yeast, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic. Cover it with a clean cloth and let it rest in a warm place for at least an hour or until it doubles in size.
Once the dough has doubled in size, roll it out on a lightly floured surface using a rolling pin.
Use a pizza cutter or a knife to divide the dough into 20 equal portions. Roll each portion into a small ball.
Arrange the dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, forming the shape of a Christmas tree. If you like, you can shape a star with some extra dough to place at the top of the tree.
Cover the tree-shaped dough with a clean cloth and let it rest for another hour or until the dough balls have doubled in size again.
While the dough is resting, mix the melted butter with the minced garlic and fresh parsley in a small bowl. Set this mixture aside for brushing later.
1/4 cup salted butter, 1 1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, 2 cloves garlic
Preheat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Once the dough balls have rested, generously brush them with the butter, garlic, and parsley mixture.
Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Monitor the bread closely, and if needed, cover it with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning and maintain the green color.
Once the bread is out of the oven, brush it with the butter mixture to add extra flavor and shine.

Notes

Blend Spinach Well: Make sure the spinach and milk are fully blended for a smooth dough and vibrant green color.
Proper Dough Rising: Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for the best results. A cold kitchen can slow down the yeast.
Equal Dough Pieces: Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to divide the dough into equal pieces for even baking.
Don’t Over-Bake: Keep an eye on the bread in the oven to prevent it from browning too much and losing its green hue.
Customize Toppings: Feel free to get creative with toppings like cheese, herbs, or seeds to make it your own.
Serve Warm: This bread tastes best when served warm, so plan to bake it just before your meal.

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