The holiday season is here, and you know what that means. Twinkling lights, festive music, and of course, gatherings with friends and family. But let’s be honest, hosting can feel a little overwhelming sometimes. You want to create a beautiful spread without spending all day in the kitchen.
That is where this recipe comes in. It’s one of those amazing Christmas appetizers easy enough for a total beginner to tackle. Imagine a pull apart breadstick shaped like a Christmas tree, filled with creamy, savory spinach dip. It looks impressive on the table but is so simple to put together. It’s the kind of dish that gets everyone talking.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, it is just plain fun. There is something so joyful about twisting the dough branches and watching the tree take shape. It’s a fantastic recipe to make with kids or just to get yourself into the holiday spirit. It truly becomes the centerpiece of your snack table.
The flavor is a classic crowd pleaser. Who doesn’t love warm, cheesy spinach dip? Paired with soft, buttery breadsticks, it’s a combination that everyone enjoys. It’s familiar and comforting, which is exactly what you want from good Christmas Party Food Appetizers.
And the best part? It uses refrigerated pizza dough. This little shortcut saves you so much time and effort. No need to mix or knead dough from scratch. You just unroll, cut, fill, and bake. This makes it one of the best Christmas finger food ideas for parties when you are short on time.
This recipe is also wonderfully versatile. You can serve it on its own or with a side of marinara sauce for dipping. It’s a hearty snack that will keep your guests happy while they mingle. It is simply a must have for your holiday menu.
Ingredients
Let’s talk about what you will need. The ingredient list is straightforward, using items you can easily find at any grocery store. No strange or hard to find components here. Just simple, good quality stuff.
For The Breadsticks And Filling
- 12 oz Frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed very dry
- 6 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- 1 tube refrigerated pizza crust (13.8 oz)
For The Butter Topping
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or garlic salt
Step By Step Instructions
Alright, let’s get down to business. Follow these simple steps and you will have a beautiful and tasty tree in no time. Grab your apron and let’s get started.
Step 1: Prepare The Oven And The Filling
First things first, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. It is always a good idea to get your oven heating up while you work on the prep. This way, it’s ready to go when you are.
Next, find a medium sized bowl. This is where you will make the delicious spinach dip filling. In the bowl, beat together the thawed, squeezed spinach and the softened cream cheese. Mix them until they are well combined.
Now add the flavor. Toss in the minced garlic, salt, onion powder, chili powder, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Also add both the parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. Beat everything together until it is creamy and smooth. Give it a taste. Isn’t that good?
Step 2: Shape The Christmas Tree Dough
This is the fun part where the magic happens. Unroll your tube of refrigerated pizza crust onto a sheet of parchment paper. Using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife, carefully cut the dough into one large triangle. This will be the top of your tree.
You will have two smaller triangles of dough left on the sides. Do not throw those away. Move those smaller pieces to a second sheet of parchment paper. Place their straight edges together to form another large triangle that is the same shape as your first one. You are basically creating a top and a bottom for your tree.
Step 3: Assemble The Tree
Take your creamy spinach dip filling and spread it evenly across the second triangle you made. This is the one made from the two smaller pieces. Be sure to spread it almost to the edges.
Now, carefully take the first large triangle of dough and flip it over on top of the spinach dip layer. You should now have a sandwich of dough with the spinach dip tucked neatly inside. Press the edges gently to seal them a bit.
Step 4: Create The Branches
Time to make the branches. You will want to leave about an inch in the very center of the triangle untouched. This will be the trunk of your tree. From just outside that center trunk, make cuts out to the side. Make these cuts on both the left and right sides, about every inch or so. These will become your pull apart breadsticks.
Now, gently grab each slice or “branch” and twist it. For the shorter branches near the top of the tree, a simple half twist is enough. For the longer branches at the bottom, you can do two or even three full twists. This twisting action is what makes the final product look so festive and pretty.
Step 5: Bake To Golden Perfection
Carefully slide your parchment paper with the tree onto a baking sheet. Place it in your preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. You are looking for a deep golden brown color on top. It is very important not to undercook it. You want the dough on the bottom to be cooked through so it’s not soggy.
While it is baking, prepare the butter topping. In a small bowl, melt the butter. Then stir in the garlic salt or powder and the Italian seasoning. Set this aside. Your kitchen should be smelling absolutely amazing right about now. These are great Christmas snacks for party preparation.
Step 6: Brush With Butter And Serve
Once the tree is beautifully golden brown, take it out of the oven. While it is still hot, brush the garlic butter mixture all over the top. This adds another layer of flavor and makes the breadsticks glisten. Serve it warm and watch it disappear. This is truly one of those Christmas appetizers easy to love.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, which is unlikely, storing them is simple. Wait for the breadsticks to cool down completely to room temperature. This prevents them from getting soggy from condensation.
Once cool, you can wrap the leftovers tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can also place them in an airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator for up to three days. Any longer and the bread might get a little tough.
When you are ready to enjoy them again, you can reheat them in the oven. A few minutes at 350 degrees will warm them up and make them crispy again. You could also use an air fryer for a few minutes. I would avoid the microwave, as it can make the bread a bit chewy.
Tips
Want to make sure your Christmas tree breadsticks are the best they can be? Here are a few little tips to help you along the way. These small things can make a big difference in the final result.
The most important tip is to squeeze the spinach really, really well. Frozen spinach holds a lot of water. If you leave too much water in, your filling could become runny and make the dough soggy. I like to put the thawed spinach in a clean kitchen towel and wring it out over the sink. You will be surprised how much water comes out.
Do not be afraid of a deep golden brown color. Sometimes people pull things from the oven when they are just lightly golden. For this recipe, a deeper brown means the dough is fully cooked and has a wonderful, slightly crispy texture. Keep an eye on it, but let it get some nice color.
Feel free to get creative with the filling. You could add some chopped artichoke hearts to the spinach mixture for a classic spinach and artichoke dip flavor. A little bit of crumbled bacon or some red pepper flakes for heat would also be delicious. Make it your own.
For serving, a small bowl of warm marinara sauce on the side is a fantastic addition. It adds a nice tangy contrast to the creamy, cheesy filling. It makes these awesome Xmas appetizers even better.
Conclusion
And there you have it. A festive, fun, and incredibly tasty appetizer that is sure to be the star of your holiday gathering. This Spinach Dip Christmas Tree Breadstick proves that you do not need complicated recipes to make a big impression.
It’s the kind of recipe that brings people together, gathered around the table, pulling off warm, cheesy branches. It is what holiday food is all about, creating memories and sharing delicious moments. I am sure these Christmas appetizers easy to make will become a new tradition for you.
So give it a try this holiday season. I promise you will love how simple it is to create something so special. Happy holidays and happy baking!
FAQ
Can I Make This Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can do some prep ahead of time. You can make the spinach dip filling a day or two in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. However, I would recommend assembling and baking the tree right before you plan to serve it for the best texture and freshness.
Can I Use Fresh Spinach Instead Of Frozen?
You certainly can. You will need to cook down a large amount of fresh spinach first. Sauté it in a pan until it wilts completely, then let it cool. Just like with frozen spinach, you must squeeze out as much moisture as possible before mixing it into the filling.
What If I Can’t Find Refrigerated Pizza Dough?
If you cannot find refrigerated pizza dough, you could use a sheet of puff pastry instead. The texture will be different, more flaky and light, but still delicious. You might need to adjust the baking time slightly, so keep an eye on it. Canned crescent roll dough could also work in a pinch, though the shape will be different.
Is This Recipe Kid Friendly?
Absolutely. Kids love this recipe. Not only is it fun to eat, but it is also a great one for them to help make. They can help spread the filling and twist the branches. It is also a sneaky way to get some greens into their diet. The cheesy, savory flavor is very appealing to little ones.
Can I Use Different Fillings?
Of course. This tree shape is a great base for all sorts of fillings. You could do a simple cheese filling with mozzarella, parmesan, and garlic. A sweet version with cinnamon sugar and a cream cheese glaze would be a wonderful holiday treat. You could also try a savory pesto and cheese filling. The possibilities are endless for creating great Christmas Party Food Appetizers.
Spinach Dip Christmas Tree Breadsticks
A festive and easy-to-make pull-apart breadstick shaped like a Christmas tree, filled with a creamy, savory spinach dip. A fun holiday appetizer that uses simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, beat the thawed and squeezed spinach with the softened cream cheese until combined.
- Add the minced garlic, salt, onion powder, chili powder, pepper, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese. Beat everything together until creamy and smooth.
- Unroll the pizza crust onto a sheet of parchment paper. Cut the dough into one large triangle. Place the two smaller side pieces together on another sheet of parchment to form a second large triangle.
- Spread the spinach dip filling evenly over the second triangle. Carefully place the first large triangle of dough on top and press the edges to seal.
- Leaving a 1-inch ‘trunk’ in the center, make cuts from the trunk outwards to the sides, about 1 inch apart, to create branches.
- Gently twist each branch. Shorter top branches get a half twist, longer bottom branches can get two or three twists.
- Slide the parchment onto a baking sheet. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until deep golden brown and the bottom is cooked through.
- While baking, mix the melted butter with the remaining Italian seasoning and garlic powder/salt. Brush this mixture over the hot tree as soon as it comes out of the oven. Serve warm.
Notes
The most important step is to squeeze the spinach completely dry using a clean kitchen towel to prevent a soggy filling.
Feel free to customize the filling by adding chopped artichoke hearts or a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat.
This appetizer is delicious served with a side of warm marinara sauce for dipping.
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