This semi-homemade treat is so fun to serve during the holidays and a great one to get the kids in the kitchen to help with.
I like to use store bought easy peasy Pilsbury pizza dough to make this a quick bread appetizer. You will need 2 cans. Pesto, mozzarella cheese, and pizza sauce for dipping. Fresh basil leaves and shaved parmesan make it look pretty and make a great presentation.
Keeping with the semi-homemade theme you can make it super easy and buy pesto sauce too. If you have time and would like to make it fresh, give my quick recipe a try.
Pesto- 10 minute Basil- Pesto Sauce
Another great option for this is to add fresh tomatoes or even bruschetta on top with balsamic glaze.
Ok let’s get started!
Pesto Pizza Christmas Tree
A delicious semi-homemade appetizer with pizza dough, pesto, cheese, and a pizza dipping sauce!
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cans Pilsbury refrigerated pizza dough
- pesto sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/4- cup grated parmesan cheese Parmesan slice cut with star cookie cutter for tree topper. (optional)
- pizza sauce
- 1 egg
- Basil leaves for garnish optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375℉
- Line a baking sheet with parchement paper.
- Roll out 1 can of dough and stretch it to desired size. Place on the baking sheet.
- Now spread with pesto. Cover all of the dough just up until the edge. Leave a bit of room for a crust.
- Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
- Cover with the second dough. (Rolled out and stretch to fit) I like to do this on a cutting board then size it up to fit.
- Now comes the creative part. Using a cooking cutter or knive, cut the top of the dough into the shape of a tree. Then cut strips of each side of the tree keeping the middle whole. It doesn't have to be perfect. Just try to make it even as possible. Remove the bottom pieces to create a trunk.
- Now twist!
- In a small bowl crack the egg and add a splash of water. Whisk and brush all over the tree. This will create the perfect golden crust.
- Bake for 15 minutes. Bake the scrapes on the side or on a seperate baking sheet.
- Decorate with the basil leaves/star and serve right away with pizza sauce.
- ENJOY!
