Nothing says festive holiday fun like a centerpiece of delicious, edible Christmas Tree Spinach Dip Breadsticks! This delightful dish is not only visually stunning but also a perfect combination of gooey, cheesy spinach dip and soft, buttery breadsticks. It’s a holiday party favorite, combining both savory flavors and creativity into one impressive snack. Perfect for sharing with family and friends, it’s also simple to make, fun to serve, and incredibly tasty.
Ingredients
For the breadsticks:
- 2 cans of refrigerated pizza dough (or crescent roll dough)
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 2 tablespoons of butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese for sprinkling (optional)
For the spinach dip:
- 1 cup frozen spinach, thawed and drained
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for a bit of spice)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup sour cream or mayonnaise (for extra creaminess)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Spinach Dip
- Thaw and drain spinach: Start by thawing the frozen spinach. Once thawed, place it in a kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. Excess moisture will make your dip watery, so ensure the spinach is well-drained.
- Mix the dip ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, sour cream (or mayonnaise), and the well-drained spinach. Mix everything until it’s thoroughly combined and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and let it preheat while you prepare the tree.
Step 2: Shape the Christmas Tree
- Roll out the dough: Take the pizza or crescent roll dough and roll it out flat on a lightly floured surface. You’ll need to cut two identical triangles (tree shapes) out of the dough. If you’re using two cans, roll each can into separate large triangles. These will form the top and bottom layers of your Christmas tree.
- Layer the dip: Spread the spinach dip generously over one of the dough triangles, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Cover with the second triangle: Place the second triangle of dough on top, pressing down gently to seal the edges around the spinach dip filling.
Step 3: Create the Breadstick Branches
- Cut the branches: Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, cut horizontal slits along both sides of the tree, leaving about an inch uncut down the center to act as the tree’s “trunk.” These slits will form the branches of the tree.
- Twist the branches: Carefully twist each strip of dough two or three times to create a spiral effect for each breadstick. These will look like the twisting branches of your Christmas tree.
- Prepare for baking: Transfer the shaped tree to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the entire surface with a whisked egg wash to help the dough turn golden brown while baking.
Step 4: Add Seasoning and Bake
- Season: Mix the melted butter with garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Brush this savory butter mixture generously over the entire tree. If you like, sprinkle the top with a little extra Parmesan cheese for an added cheesy, golden touch.
- Bake: Place the tree in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes or until the dough is puffed and golden brown, and the filling is hot and bubbly.
- Garnish: Once out of the oven, brush the tree with a little extra butter and garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a festive green finish. For added holiday flair, you can sprinkle red pepper flakes or small diced cherry tomatoes as “ornaments” on your tree.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Once your Christmas Tree Spinach Dip Breadsticks are baked and garnished, it’s ready to serve! Place the tree at the center of your table as a fun and tasty holiday appetizer. Your guests can pull apart the “branches” and dip them into the gooey spinach filling inside.
This dish is best served warm, so make sure to present it fresh out of the oven. It pairs wonderfully with marinara sauce for dipping on the side or even additional spinach dip.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Use crescent dough for a lighter, fluffier tree: Crescent dough gives this dish a slightly lighter texture compared to pizza dough, which can be chewier.
- Add meats: To make this tree even more hearty, consider adding cooked, crumbled sausage or finely chopped pepperoni to the spinach dip filling.
- Cheese lovers: If you’re a cheese fanatic, don’t hesitate to load your tree with extra mozzarella or even sprinkle shredded cheddar or Gruyère on top for an added cheesy layer.
- Sweeten it up: For a dessert version of this Christmas tree, you can fill the dough with sweet fillings like Nutella or cinnamon sugar, then glaze it with icing after baking. Decorate with festive sprinkles to create a fun dessert tree!
- Make it ahead: You can assemble the tree in advance and store it in the fridge. When your guests arrive, simply pop it into the oven to bake, saving you time and stress.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Visually Stunning: This Christmas tree-shaped snack is not only delicious but also serves as a fun and festive centerpiece for your holiday gatherings. It’s a show-stopper on any appetizer table.
- Delicious Flavors: The rich, creamy spinach dip nestled between the soft layers of dough creates a perfect blend of cheesy, garlicky goodness with every bite. Plus, the twisted breadsticks make this dish a fun, interactive appetizer for guests to pull apart and enjoy.
- Fun for the Family: If you have little ones, they’ll love helping to assemble the tree. Twisting the branches is a fun activity to involve kids in the kitchen, and they’ll love seeing (and eating!) the final product.
- Perfect for Sharing: This pull-apart Christmas tree is ideal for serving a crowd at holiday gatherings, and its shareable format encourages communal snacking and mingling.