Bread is filled with spinach and cheese, formed into a Christmas tree shape, and cut into 'branches' for an easy pull-apart breadstick. #holiday #baking #recipes #callmepmc
In a bowl, add water, yeast, and sugar. Mix well and keep aside for 3-4 minutes or until you see bubbles on top.
In a large bowl, add all-purpose flour and salt. Mix well.
Add olive oil to the yeast mixture, then add this mixture to the flour mixture and knead soft dough. (Don’t knead for too long just mix everything well. Keep the dough in a warm and draft-free place, like your oven or microwave, for 60-90 minutes to rise.)
In a bowl, mix together the spinach mixture, cream cheese, parmesan cheese, cheddar/ mozzarella cheese, Italian seasoning, black pepper, minced garlic, and salt.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE TREE:
Roll out the bread dough on a parchment paper-lined baking tray; about 1/4th inch thick.
Using a pizza cutter, cut the crust in a shape of a Christmas tree as shown in the photos. This will provide you with one large triangle (this will be your base) and two small ones (these will be the top). Transfer the two smaller triangles to another tray lined with parchment paper.
Spread the spinach cheese dip on the large triangle evenly
Top the spinach dip-lined triangle with the two small ones. You might have to stretch or tuck the dough a little to perfectly cover the base.
Using a pizza cutter, cut 1-inch thick slices from the middle of the tree to the edge leaving a small space in between. Leave more space in the middle as you move to the bottom. (Check the photo for reference)
Gently twist each slice (or branch) to form a tree shape. The top slice will be shorter, so you just have to give it a half or one twist; as you go down to the longer slices you would have to give them two or three twists.
Bake for about 25-30 minutes until golden brown on top and cooked perfectly on the bottom.
If you want you can sprinkle grated mozzarella cheese on the tree before putting it into the oven; and brush butter and garlic mixture on top after baking.