When it comes to big holiday meals it’s always nice to have a good roll or bread basket served on the side. In this case, since it’s the holiday season, I’m sharing a recipe for how to make Pull Apart Garlic Knots shaped like a Christmas Tree! This dish always gets a big smile when it hits the table. It’s so clever and easy and is a great carbohydrate to serve on the side of just about anything this season.
Making pull-apart garlic knots isn’t too hard. I consider this a semi-homemade recipe because it starts with pre-made dough. Yes, this makes this dish even easier to get on the table since you don’t have to start the dough from scratch. Then, I make the garlic butter and shape the dough into the rolls and arrange them like a tree. So far, so easy! After that it’s a matter of following the direction on the dough packet so they rise and are baked perfectly.
Once the tree is fully baked and out of the oven you can brush it with the garlic sauce and arrange the rosemary to look like pine needles. I swear, it’s so pretty and delicious this way. We always get a huge kick out of how cool it looks before everyone dives in to pull off their piece.
This will go well with any big holiday meal, or any winter holiday pasta dish. I absolutely love serving it with Pastitsio, but it also goes well with lamb! This is the beauty of a fun, easy bread dish like this one. It will make everyone happy, look nice on any table, and be the perfect accompaniment to any holiday meal. In fact, I’m so serious about this I suggest you pick up double the ingredients in the recipe listed below. Once you make it for your family, they’re going to want a repeat the next night!
Festive Pull-Apart Cheesy Garlic Knots
This recipe is not only delicious but also fun to make for holiday gatherings because they’re in the shape of a Christmas tree. I love having these on the table with Christmas dinner or when I have a big family meal and serve Pastitsio.
Ingredients:
For the dough:
2 cans refrigerated pizza dough (or homemade pizza dough)
1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
4 cloves garlic (minced)
2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
30 bite size pieces of Mozzarella Cheese
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
For decoration:
Fresh rosemary sprigs (for garnish)
Marinara sauce (for dipping)
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, grated Parmesan, and salt. Stir to combine. Set aside.
3. Unroll the pizza dough onto a floured surface. Cut the dough into small squares, about 1.5 inches in size. You should have about 30 squares, depending on how large or small you want the knots. Roll each square into a ball by folding the corners into the center, pinching them to seal, and then rolling gently in your hands.
4. Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree. Start with one ball at the top, two in the second row, three in the third, and so on, until you form a triangle. Add a few balls at the bottom to resemble the trunk.
5. Generously brush the dough balls with the garlic butter mixture, making sure to cover all sides.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the knots are golden brown and puffed.
7. Once out of the oven, brush the garlic knots with any remaining garlic butter. Garnish the tree with fresh rosemary sprigs (to resemble pine needles) and add cherry tomatoes or small pieces of red pepper as “ornaments.”
8. Serve the pull-apart garlic knot Christmas tree with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.
Nikki Glekas is the owner of Nikki Glekas Events, a full-service catering and events company located in Stamford, CT.. To discuss further please contact team@nikkiglekascollective.com or call 203.658.8659.
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