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Easy Festive Cinnamon Sugar Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread

cinnamon sugar christmas tree pull-apart bread - featured image
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This festive pull-apart bread is made with pizza dough, butter, cinnamon, and sugar, shaped into a Christmas tree. It’s incredibly easy to make, perfect for Christmas morning or holiday brunch, and disappears before you’ve even poured the coffee.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb pizza dough (store-bought or homemade), at room temperature
  • All-purpose flour, for dusting
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon (preferably Saigon cinnamon)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • Pinch of salt (if using unsalted butter)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
  • 2–3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream (for glaze)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for glaze)
  • Green sanding sugar or sprinkles (optional, for decoration)
  • Star-shaped cookie cutter or star decoration (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Let pizza dough come to room temperature (about 30 minutes if refrigerated).
  3. Lightly flour a work surface. Roll dough into a 12×18-inch rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick.
  4. In a small bowl, mix granulated sugar and cinnamon together.
  5. Brush melted butter over the entire surface of the dough. Use about half the butter.
  6. Sprinkle about two-thirds of the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the buttered dough.
  7. Cut the dough in half lengthwise, then cut each strip into 8-10 triangles (about 3-4 inches at the base).
  8. On the prepared baking sheet, stack the triangles to form a Christmas tree shape: start at the bottom with the wide end down, overlapping slightly as you go up, fanning out the points.
  9. Brush the assembled tree with remaining butter and sprinkle with remaining cinnamon sugar.
  10. Let the dough rest for 15-20 minutes.
  11. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped. If browning too fast, tent with foil.
  12. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Cool completely before glazing.
  13. For the glaze: whisk together powdered sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over cooled bread. Add sprinkles while glaze is wet.
  14. Add a star topper if desired.

Notes

Don’t overwork the dough. Let it rest if it snaps back. Cold dough is the enemy—let it come to room temperature. Butter is essential for the cinnamon sugar to stick and for a caramelized crust. Watch your oven; start checking at 18 minutes. Let the bread rest before serving to allow layers to set. For best results, serve warm or at room temperature. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: Christmas tree bread, pull-apart bread, cinnamon sugar bread, holiday bread, easy Christmas recipe, festive bread

Find it online: https://forkmila.com/easy-festive-cinnamon-sugar-christmas-tree-pull-apart-bread/