This fun Crescent Roll Christmas Tree is a delightful holiday treat! Made with flaky crescent rolls and filled with cheesy goodness, it’s sure to impress your guests.
You can really let your creativity shine by decorating it with toppings like pesto or veggies. I love how it brings everyone together for a tasty photo op! 🎄
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Crescent Roll Dough: The star of this dish! If you can’t find it, puff pastry could work as an alternative, though it behaves slightly differently when baking. Just keep an eye on it to avoid over-browning.
Cheese: Mozzarella gives a great stretch and chew, but feel free to mix in cheddar for a sharper flavor. You can also use dairy-free cheese if you’re looking for a vegan option!
Parmesan Cheese: This adds a nice salty kick. If you’re out, you can use any grated hard cheese, like Pecorino Romano. For a dairy-free choice, nutritional yeast could provide a similar umami flavor boost.
Butter: Melted butter adds a rich taste. You can substitute olive oil for a lighter option. Just brush it on evenly for that golden crust.
How Do I Create the Perfect Tree Shape?
Building the tree shape is a fun part! Start by laying out the first layer of crescent triangles to form the tree base. Make sure they overlap slightly to create a sturdy foundation for the cheese.
- Press down the points well so they don’t lift during baking.
- When you cut the branches, be careful to keep the centers intact; this helps maintain the tree shape.
- Twisting the strips after cutting gives them a lovely braided appearance, enhancing the visual appeal.
Crescent Roll Christmas Tree Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 cans (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- Silver pearl candies or edible decorations (optional, for decoration)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to bake, making the total time around 30 minutes. Perfect for a tasty and festive treat when you’re short on time!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare Your Baking Sheet:
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While it’s heating up, line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
2. Unroll the Crescent Dough:
Open the cans of crescent dough and gently unroll them, separating the triangles without tearing the edges. This will be the foundation for your tree!
3. Shape the Christmas Tree:
On your lined baking sheet, arrange one can of crescent triangles to form a big triangle shape, overlapping the bases to build a solid base. Be sure to press the points together to keep them from coming apart during baking.
4. Add the Cheese Layer:
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough triangle. This cheesy layer is what makes the tree delicious!
5. Layer the Second Can of Dough:
Now, take the second can of crescent dough and place the triangles over the mozzarella layer, aligning them to create the same tree shape. Press down the edges to seal everything nicely.
6. Cut Branches:
Using kitchen scissors or a knife, cut 1-inch wide strips from both sides of the center starting about 2 inches from the top to the bottom. These strips will form the “branches” of your tree.
7. Twist the Branches:
Gently twist each cut strip away from the center twice to achieve a braided look—this adds dimension and makes it visually appealing!
8. Create a Star for the Top:
If you have some dough left, cut it into a small star shape and place it at the top center of your tree. You can really get creative here!
9. Brush with Butter:
Using a pastry brush, brush the entire tree with melted butter for that golden color and delicious flavor.
10. Add Garlic and Parmesan:
Mix the grated Parmesan with garlic powder and sprinkle it evenly over the tree. This will give it a tasty kick!
11. Bake the Tree:
Pop the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for about 12-15 minutes or until your tree is golden brown and baked through.
12. Garnish Your Tree:
Once the tree is out of the oven and has cooled slightly, garnish it with finely chopped fresh parsley to resemble tree needles.
13. Decorate with Edible Touches:
Add some silver pearl candies or any other edible decorations you like to make your tree festive and fun!
14. Serve and Enjoy!
Serve your warm, delicious crescent roll Christmas tree right away. Enjoy making memories with family and friends as you dive into this fun holiday treat!
Can I Use Homemade Dough Instead of Refrigerated Crescent Roll Dough?
Absolutely! If you have a favorite homemade dough recipe, you can use it. Just roll it out to about the same thickness as store-bought crescent dough for the best results. Remember to adjust baking time as needed, since homemade doughs may vary in thickness.
How Can I Store Leftover Crescent Roll Christmas Tree?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply pop it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes until warmed through, which helps keep the dough crispy.
Can I Make This Recipe Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can prepare the shaped tree and then cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Just brush on the melted butter and bake straight from the fridge for a delicious, fresh treat!
What Other Fillings Can I Add to the Crescent Rolls?
The options are endless! You could add cooked spinach and feta for a Mediterranean twist, or even a sweet filling of chocolate and marshmallows for a dessert version. Just keep in mind the balance of flavors and adjust your baking time if using wet fillings.
