Spinach and Cheese Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread
Spinach and Cheese Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 cup warm water, 105-115°F
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for greasing
For the Filling
- 10 ounces fresh spinach, chopped
- 2 garlic, cloves, minced
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Topping and Egg Wash
- 1 egg, large
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts
- 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese, grated, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, combine the warm water, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast. Let stand for 5-10 minutes, or until foamy.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
Add the flour, salt, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the yeast mixture. Mix until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
Lightly grease a clean bowl with olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until doubled in size.
⏱️ 90 min
- 4
While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 3-5 minutes. Drain thoroughly, squeezing out as much excess water as possible.
⏱️ 10 min
- 5
In a medium bowl, combine the drained spinach, minced garlic, softened cream cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 375
- 7
Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a large rectangle, approximately 12x18 inches.
⏱️ 5 min
- 8
Spread the spinach and cheese filling evenly over one half of the dough rectangle, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Fold the other half of the dough over the filling, pressing down gently to seal the edges.
⏱️ 5 min
- 9
Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the dough into a large Christmas tree shape on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Cut strips horizontally along the sides of the 'tree' to form branches, leaving the center intact. Twist each strip 2-3 times.
⏱️ 10 min
- 10
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and 1 tablespoon of water to create an egg wash. Brush the entire Christmas tree bread with the egg wash. Sprinkle with pine nuts.
⏱️ 3 min
- 11
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. If the pine nuts start to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent the bread with foil.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375
- 12
Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with the additional grated Parmesan cheese. Serve warm and pull apart to enjoy!
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Spinach and Cheese Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 cup warm water, 105-115°F
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for greasing
For the Filling
- 10 ounces fresh spinach, chopped
- 2 garlic, cloves, minced
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Topping and Egg Wash
- 1 egg, large
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts
- 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese, grated, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, combine the warm water, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast. Let stand for 5-10 minutes, or until foamy.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
Add the flour, salt, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the yeast mixture. Mix until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
Lightly grease a clean bowl with olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until doubled in size.
⏱️ 90 min - 4
While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 3-5 minutes. Drain thoroughly, squeezing out as much excess water as possible.
⏱️ 10 min - 5
In a medium bowl, combine the drained spinach, minced garlic, softened cream cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 375 - 7
Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a large rectangle, approximately 12x18 inches.
⏱️ 5 min - 8
Spread the spinach and cheese filling evenly over one half of the dough rectangle, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Fold the other half of the dough over the filling, pressing down gently to seal the edges.
⏱️ 5 min - 9
Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the dough into a large Christmas tree shape on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Cut strips horizontally along the sides of the 'tree' to form branches, leaving the center intact. Twist each strip 2-3 times.
⏱️ 10 min - 10
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and 1 tablespoon of water to create an egg wash. Brush the entire Christmas tree bread with the egg wash. Sprinkle with pine nuts.
⏱️ 3 min - 11
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. If the pine nuts start to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent the bread with foil.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375 - 12
Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with the additional grated Parmesan cheese. Serve warm and pull apart to enjoy!
⏱️ 2 min