This festive Pull-Apart Christmas Tree Garlic Bread is pillowy soft, brushed with herbed garlic butter, kissed with parmesan, and baked to a beautiful golden finish. Serve it warm with a sprinkle of sea salt and a bright tomato dip for dunking. It looks like a centerpiece, tastes like heaven, and comes together easier than your guests will ever guess.
Ingredients
- 1 head roasted garlic
- Extra virgin olive oil
- ¾ cup warm whole milk
- 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (or honey)
- 2 large eggs
- 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 stick + 2 tablespoons salted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary (or sage)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 pinch red chili flakes
- ¼ cup melted butter (for brushing)
Instructions
- Roast the garlic: Preheat oven to 400°F. Slice the top off the garlic head, drizzle with olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast 45-55 minutes until caramelized and tender. Cool slightly.
- Make the dough: In a stand mixer, combine flour, yeast, and salt. Add milk, maple syrup, eggs, and 2 tablespoons butter. Mix with the dough hook 4-5 minutes until smooth. If sticky, add ¼-½ cup more flour. Cover and rest 30-60 minutes at room temperature.
- Prepare the garlic butter: Squeeze cooled garlic cloves into a bowl. Add 1 stick butter, parmesan, rosemary, Italian seasoning, chili flakes, and melted butter. Mash until spreadable and aromatic.
- Shape the tree: Line a baking sheet with parchment. Roll dough halves into 15×11 rectangles. Stack one atop the other. Cut a centered triangle by slicing from bottom corners to the top middle, removing side scraps for later.
- Assemble: Place one triangle on the sheet. Spread ⅔ of the garlic butter on top. Layer the second triangle, matching edges. Slice into 1-inch horizontal strips, leaving a center “trunk” uncut. Twist each strip outward to form branches.
- Bake: Brush with remaining garlic butter. Bake 25-30 minutes until golden. Let rest 5 minutes.
- Serve: Add a final dusting of parmesan and serve with tomato dip or marinara.