Easy Dinner Roll Christmas Tree – Festive Pull-Apart Bread

The Dinner Roll Christmas Tree is a festive pull-apart bread that brings warmth and joy to any holiday table. It's simple to assemble and bakes into a golden, buttery centerpiece.

Using store-bought dough keeps it effortless, but the garlic-herb butter makes it taste homemade. Each soft, fluffy roll pulls away easily, perfect for sharing.

This recipe is about gathering around something beautiful and delicious. It's a reminder that the best dishes are often the simplest.

About the Ingredients

1 lb (450g) refrigerated pizza dough or 12 frozen dinner roll dough balls

Use store-bought dough for convenience. If using frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge. Homemade dough works too.

4 tablespoons (55g) unsalted butter, melted

Salted butter works; just reduce added salt. Use vegan butter for dairy-free.

2 cloves garlic, minced

Use 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder if you don't have fresh.

1 tablespoon (4g) fresh rosemary, finely chopped

Substitute with dried rosemary (1 teaspoon) or thyme.

1/2 teaspoon salt

Adjust to taste if using salted butter.

1 tablespoon (15g) grated Parmesan cheese

Parmesan adds a savory note. Skip for dairy-free or use nutritional yeast.

1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Use milk or cream for a lighter sheen.

Tips & Tricks

• Keep the dough cold until ready to shape; it's easier to handle.
• Arrange the rolls in a tight tree shape so they rise together and bake evenly.
• Don't overbake; the rolls should be golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.
• If using frozen dough, ensure it's fully thawed to avoid raw centers.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat and prepare

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Make garlic butter

In a small bowl, mix melted butter, minced garlic, rosemary, salt, and Parmesan. Set aside.

3. Shape the dough

If using pizza dough, divide into 12 equal balls. If using frozen rolls, ensure they are thawed. Roll each into a smooth ball.

4. Assemble the tree

Arrange the dough balls on the prepared sheet in a Christmas tree shape: 5 balls on the bottom row, 4 above, then 3, 2, and 1 at the top. Leave a small gap between balls for expansion.

5. Brush and rest

Brush the dough balls with the beaten egg. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rest in a warm place for 20 minutes, or until slightly puffy.

6. Bake

Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 190°F (88°C). If browning too fast, tent with foil.

7. Finish and serve

Remove from oven and brush immediately with the remaining garlic butter. Serve warm, pulling apart the rolls.

Delicious Variations

Sweet Version

Swap garlic butter for cinnamon sugar and add a sprinkle of chopped nuts.

Cheesy Herb

Add 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella to the butter mixture and sprinkle extra cheese on top before baking.

Spicy Kick

Add 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes to the garlic butter for heat.

How to Store Dinner Roll Christmas Tree

Frequently Asked Questions

Gather your loved ones and bake this festive tree. It's a simple way to make the holidays special. Less noise, more signal.

Dinner Roll Christmas Tree

Make this festive pull-apart Dinner Roll Christmas Tree with garlic butter. A showstopping holiday side that's easy and delicious.

★★★★½ 4.8 (156 ratings)

15 minPrep time30 minCook time6Servings285 kcalCalories

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🧂 Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) refrigerated pizza dough or 12 frozen dinner roll dough balls
• 4 tablespoons (55g) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon (4g) fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon (15g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

📋 Instructions

1. 1Preheat and prepare — Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. 2Make garlic butter — In a small bowl, mix melted butter, minced garlic, rosemary, salt, and Parmesan. Set aside.
3. 3Shape the dough — If using pizza dough, divide into 12 equal balls. If using frozen rolls, ensure they are thawed. Roll each into a smooth ball.
4. 4Assemble the tree — Arrange the dough balls on the prepared sheet in a Christmas tree shape: 5 balls on the bottom row, 4 above, then 3, 2, and 1 at the top. Leave a small gap between balls for expansion.
5. 5Brush and rest — Brush the dough balls with the beaten egg. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rest in a warm place for 20 minutes, or until slightly puffy.
6. 6Bake — Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 190°F (88°C). If browning too fast, tent with foil.
7. 7Finish and serve — Remove from oven and brush immediately with the remaining garlic butter. Serve warm, pulling apart the rolls.

👨‍🍳 Chef's Note: For a shiny top, brush the rolls with egg wash again halfway through baking. The tree is best enjoyed fresh from the oven.

Servings: 6

Cuisine: American

Course: Bread

Nutrition (per serving): 285 kcal · 8g protein · 35g carbs · 12g fat

Written by Kenji Tanaka
Kenji explores technology and digital minimalism, helping readers declutter their digital lives and focus on what matters. He writes about app selection, notification management, and creating healthy tech habits, based on his own experiments with unplugging.