​Fresh Milled Cheesy Pull-Apart Christmas Tree Bread

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If you’re looking to add a bit of festive flair to your kitchen this holiday season, this Fresh Milled Cheesy Pull-Apart Christmas Tree Bread with herbs and garlic is just the ticket. Imagine pulling apart soft, warm layers of bread, each oozing with melty cheese and bursting with fragrant herbs and garlic. It’s a fun, interactive dish that fills your kitchen with an inviting aroma and gives everyone at the table a festive delight to share. Plus, it’s surprisingly easy to make—even if your holiday schedule is bursting at the seams. Whether you’re sharing it with family or bringing it to a holiday party, the cheesy, herb-filled layers create a delicious moment worth savoring.

What Makes This Recipe Great

Holiday fun on a plate.
Making this bread into the shape of a Christmas tree brings an element of joy and creativity that’s perfect for family gatherings or cozy nights by the fire. It’s a centerpiece that doubles as an appetizer, an entertaining conversation starter with every pull-apart piece.

Rich, herb-infused flavor.
The blend of fresh milled dough with garlic and rosemary creates a perfect balance of savory and aromatic notes. Each bite offers a delightful surprise, thanks to the layers of cheese melting throughout the bread.

Easy but impressive.
You don’t need to be a baking wizard to put this together. The recipe offers straightforward steps that beginners can follow to get the perfect Christmas tree shape, but the end result looks and tastes like it took hours of skilled effort.

For more fresh milled holiday recipes, try this Mini Panettone Bread or this Garlic Herb Focaccia!

Overview of Ingredients

Fresh Milled Flour
Using fresh milled flour makes all the difference when it comes to flavor and texture. If you don’t have a mill, all purpose flour can be substituted, although the taste and texture will not be the same. 

Mozzarella Cheese
Mozzarella melts beautifully and gives you that classic stretchy, gooey cheese pull. If you want a sharper tang, you can mix in some provolone or even a mild cheddar, but mozzarella keeps it authentic and simple.

Herbs and Garlic
Fresh herbs like basil and thyme alongside garlic fill this bread with enticing aroma. If you are not a fan of garlic, just omit it. 
Butter is the magic that makes this bread golden and fragrant. A good olive oil can be used for a slightly different taste profile.

Yeast
Instant  yeast helps the dough rise beautifully and gives that perfect airy texture.

Tips for Success

#1 Choose the right cheese
For that stringy, melty texture, use mozzarella sticks. 

#2 Don’t rush the dough rising
Let your dough rise until it has doubled in size. Patience here means a softer, fluffier bread that pulls apart with ease—a little waiting brings big rewards.

#3 Brush with herb butter generously
Mix melted butter with crushed garlic, or garlic powder, and fresh herbs, then brush every nook and cranny of the dough before baking. This step intensifies flavor and gives you that irresistible golden crust.

Helpful Tools & Supplies

Whether you’re just dipping your toes into the world of fresh milled flour or you’re a seasoned home baker, I’ve taken the guesswork out of what you truly need. All of these tools and resources are available in my shop, designed to help your journey be smooth and nourishing:

Grain Mills

• NutriMill Classic Grain Mill – My go-to for fine, consistent milling; perfect for sandwich breads and everyday baking.
• NutriMill Harvest Grain Mill – Stone-ground elegance: this model delivers whole-grain flavor with a beautiful appearance.

Mixers

• Ankarsrum Mixer – A powerhouse kitchen companion with multiple speeds and attachments—ideal for kneading bread dough effortlessly.

Baking & Bread Tools

• Bread Bow Knife – Artisan-made with a high-carbon steel blade and cherry wood handle—this knife slices loaves with ease.
• Sourdough Essentials Kit With Starter – Complete starter kit that includes dehydrated sourdough starter, banneton baskets, a dough whisk, scoring lame, and more.

Cookbooks & eBook Bundles

• Everyday Whole Grains Vol. 1 & 2 (printed & digital) – Packed with 70+ recipes built around fresh milled flour, from breads to snacks and desserts.
• The Fresh Breads Bundle – A comprehensive set including eBooks like The Perfect Loaf, the Cookie Jar, bulk baking guides, and a sourdough mini‑course—all centered on fresh milled flour.
• Freshly Milled Made Simple Guide – A video-based guide that walks you through milling and baking basics, making the process feel easy and approachable.

Specialty Items

• Dehydrated Sourdough Starter – Just add water and flour to rehydrate this starter—perfect for bakers without an active sourdough culture.
• I Knead Fresh Flour Mug – A charming, handmade 12 oz ceramic mug—great for coffee breaks during dough rising!

Why These Are Worth It

Every tool in this collection has been personally vetted to support you in baking with fresh milled flour. From the grain mills that make your flour, to mixers that knead dough, to resources that teach you every step—it’s all here to make sure your homemade bread journey is joyful, nourishing, and successful.

➡️ Explore all of these items and more in the Generation Acres Farm Shop — your one-stop spot for fresh milled flour baking essentials.

Equipment:  

Large Mixing Bowl
Rolling Pin
Baking Sheet
Pastry Brush  

​How to Make Fresh Milled Cheesy Pull-Apart Christmas Tree Bread

Ingredients:

Dough:

• ¾ cup warm water (165 grams)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup olive oil (52 grams)
• ¼ cup honey (64 grams)
• 3 – 3 ½ cups freshly milled hard white wheat flour, finely milled (390-455 grams)
• 1 ½ teaspoons yeast
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Garlic Butter:

• ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup butter (58 grams)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon basil
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 7 mozzarella sticks (each cut into 5  equal pieces), for stuffing

Directions:

• Combine the warm water, salt, oil, honey, and lemon juice in  the bowl of a stand mixer.

• Next add half of the flour. Mix until well combined. 

• Allow the dough to rest in the mixer for 10 minutes.
• Add the yeast and the rest of the flour, ½ cup at a time and watch how the dough reacts. You don’t want to add too much flour. Add just enough to where a soft dough forms and the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl. 

• Knead the dough until it reaches windowpane.

• Cover the dough and allow to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and cut into 33 equal pieces. Flatten each piece of dough and stuff with a piece of the mozzarella stick.

• Place the cheese in the center of the dough, then pull the corners up over it and roll into a tightly sealed ball.

• Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. 

• Starting at the top, place dough balls on the prepared baking sheet in the following order: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, to form a tree. Place two balls at the bottom to form the tree trunk and fill in any gaps with the remaining 3 balls. 
• Cover and allow to rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.

• Combine all of the ingredients for the garlic butter and brush on top of the bread.

• Bake for 14-16 minutes, until golden brown. 

Recipe Variations  

Herb Variations:
Swap basil and thyme for rosemary or oregano to fit your preferred herb profile, or add a sprinkle of chili flakes to spice it up a bit.

Cheese Mix:
Try different cheeses like gouda or fontina for a richer, deeper flavor or go dairy-free with a vegan cheese alternative.

Garlic-Free:
If garlic isn’t your thing, swap it for caramelized onions or sun-dried tomatoes to maintain a savory depth.

Nutty Addition:
Add finely chopped toasted nuts like walnuts or pine nuts within the layers for a crunchy surprise.

Sweet Twist:
For a playful take, add a thin layer of pesto and swap mozzarella for a mild white cheddar or a little cream cheese.

Troubleshooting Common Problems with this Recipe  

Dough Doesn’t Rise
Make sure your yeast is fresh and the water you use is warm, not hot. If the environment is too cold, try placing the dough in a slightly warm spot or inside the oven with just the light on.

Bread Turns Out Dense
Over-kneading or under-rising can make bread heavy. Be gentle when kneading and allow enough time for the dough to double in size for that airy texture.

Cheese Leaks Too Much
Don’t overload the layers with cheese; too much can cause it to melt out and create a greasy mess. Press the layers gently after adding cheese to help them stick together better.

Bread Bottom Is Soggy
Make sure to bake on a preheated stone or heavy tray for crispness. Also, avoid placing the bread in a pan that retains too much moisture or isn’t porous enough.

Herbs Burn in the Oven
Brush herbs and garlic with butter or oil to keep them moist during baking. Cover loosely with foil if the bread begins to brown too quickly.

Freezing & Storing Leftovers  

Freezing:
Once cooled completely, wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap and then foil or store in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm in the oven until soft and melty again.

Storing:
Keep leftovers at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days, or refrigerate up to 4 days. Refresh in the oven before serving to revive that fresh-baked feel.

How To Reheat  

Oven Method
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the bread on a baking sheet and cover loosely with foil to prevent drying. Heat for about 10-15 minutes until warm and the cheese is bubbly.

Microwave Method
Wrap a slice loosely in a damp paper towel to keep moisture in and microwave on medium power for 30-45 seconds. Be aware this method softens the crust and diminishes chewiness.

Stovetop Method
Heat a skillet over low heat, place the bread in the pan, and cover with a lid. Warm for 3-5 minutes, which helps the cheese melt and keeps the bread from getting too tough.

Toaster Oven Method
Similar to the oven but quicker, preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C). Warm the bread for 8-10 minutes, uncovered, to crisp the crust and smoothly melt the cheese.

Extra FAQs  

Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?
You can substitute with a gluten-free bread flour blend, but results may vary because gluten helps with the stretchiness and structure of the bread.

Can I use a different shape instead of a Christmas tree?
Definitely. This recipe works well with any pull-apart design such as wreaths, balls, or twists, making it versatile year-round.

What’s the best way to serve this bread?
Serve warm as an appetizer or side, perfect with marinara sauce or a creamy dip. It also pairs wonderfully with soups or holiday meals.

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