1 pound refrigerated pizza dough, at room temperature
7 sticks of mozzarella string cheese, cut into 1 inch pieces
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley
1 teaspoon freshly chopped rosemary
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 cup marinara sauce, for dipping
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper so the dough does not stick and the cheese remains easy to clean up if any leaks out during baking.
Divide your pizza dough into two equal halves. Cut each half into smaller pieces until you have about 30 small balls of dough, roughly the size of a golf ball. This ensures you have enough pieces to form a full, lush tree shape.
Take one piece of dough and flatten it slightly in the palm of your hand. Place a piece of the mozzarella cheese in the center, then wrap the dough around it and pinch the edges firmly to seal. Roll it between your palms to create a smooth ball.
Place the stuffed dough balls on the prepared baking sheet in a triangle pattern to form the body of the tree. Start with one ball at the top, then two below it, then three, and so on until you reach the base. Use the remaining 2 or 3 balls to form a small trunk at the bottom center.
Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. You are looking for a beautiful golden brown color on the surface and for the dough to be fully cooked through.
While the bread is baking, whisk together the melted butter, garlic powder, onion powder, and fresh herbs in a small bowl. As soon as the bread comes out of the oven, brush the warm butter mixture generously over the entire tree. Sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese while the butter is still wet so it sticks.
