Pull-Apart Christmas Tree

ingredients

• 28 oz refrigerated pizza dough, 2 cans or homemade pizza dough
  
  
• 16 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes, or cheddar
  
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
  
• 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
  
• 1 tablespoon rosemary, fresh or dried
  
• 12 grape tomatoes, halved, or cherry tomatoes
  
• pizza sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce (optional)
  

Instructions 

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat.
  
• Place the pizza dough on a work surface. Stretch it out to roughly a 1/4-inch thickness. Then cut into about 32 three-inch squares.
  
• Cut the cheese into 1-inch cubes. Place one cube on top of each dough square. Then pinch the edges of each square together tightly to form a ball.
  
• Arrange the balls on the prepared baking sheet in a Christmas tree formation: a straight line of 7 balls for the base followed by 6 balls, 5 balls etc. until you reach a single ball for the top. Use the remaining balls to make a stump and/or star.
  
• Brush the balls with melted butter and sprinkle herbs on top. Then add the cherry tomatoes in between the balls.
  
• Bake for 15-17 minutes following the package directions is using store-bought dough. If the tops start darkening, you can always cover with foil for the remaining time.
  
• Remove from the oven and use the parchment to transfer the Christmas tree to a cheese board or other platter. Serve with optional dipping sauce.
  

Notes

• Recipe yield: 16 servings (2 pieces per serving)