Description

Celebrate the festive season with this Christmas Tree Stuffed Bread, featuring a delightful combination of mozzarella cheese, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes. This charming bread is shaped like a Christmas tree, making it a perfect centerpiece for holiday gatherings. Soft, cheesy, and packed with vibrant flavors, it’s an impressive yet easy-to-make recipe that brings holiday cheer to your table.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 packet instant yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
1 cup warm milk
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon salt

Filling Ingredients

1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup spinach, chopped
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

Additional

1 egg, for egg wash

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Activate yeast: In a bowl, mix warm milk with sugar and instant yeast. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
Make dough: Add the all-purpose flour, melted butter, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until a rough dough forms.
Knead dough: Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 8 to 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
First rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and leave it in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
Shape dough: Punch down the risen dough and roll it out into a large triangle on a floured surface.
Add filling: On one half of the triangle, evenly spread shredded mozzarella, chopped spinach, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
Form branches: Fold the other half of the triangle over the filling and cut strips along the sides to form branches, leaving the center intact.
Twist strips: Gently twist each strip away from the center to create the appearance of tree branches.
Prepare to bake: Transfer the shaped bread onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and brush it all over with beaten egg for a golden finish.
Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the bread turns golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.

Notes

Make sure the milk is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
Kneading the dough well is crucial for a soft and chewy texture.
You can customize the filling with other festive ingredients like cooked sausage, mushrooms, or different cheeses.
Let the bread cool slightly before slicing to maintain the shape and filling integrity.
Use parchment paper on the baking sheet to prevent sticking and for easier cleanup.