Description
This festive Christmas Tree Appetizer combines a creamy spinach and cheese filling wrapped in a crispy, golden pizza crust shaped like a Christmas tree. Perfect for holiday parties, this savory treat is both visually impressive and delicious, featuring a blend of cheeses, Italian seasoning, and a buttery garlic finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 10 ounce package frozen chopped spinach (thawed and water squeezed out)
- 6 ounces cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese (or combination)
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Dough and Topping
- 1 tube refrigerated pizza crust
- 2 tablespoons butter (melted)
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F and position the oven rack toward the bottom for even baking.
- Prepare baking sheets: Cut two large rectangular pieces of parchment paper, placing one on a baking sheet and setting both aside for later use.
- Make the filling: Using an electric mixer, beat together the spinach and softened cream cheese in a medium bowl. Add minced garlic, salt, onion powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and Italian seasoning, mixing until well combined. Finally, fold in the parmesan cheese and half of the shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese.
- Shape the dough: Unroll the pizza crust onto the parchment paper not on the baking sheet. Use a rolling pin to even out any thick areas. Cut a large triangle representing the Christmas tree, with its base along the shorter edge of the rectangle. Transfer the leftover dough pieces to the second parchment-lined baking sheet and press the two longer sides of the triangle together to form the tree base. Optionally, set aside a small piece of dough to create the tree trunk.
- Add the filling and cover: Spread the spinach and cheese mixture evenly over the shaped dough base. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese on top. Flip over the remaining dough piece onto the filled base, gently tugging to cover it completely.
- Create tree branches: Using a pizza cutter, make approximately 1-inch wide cuts down both sides of the dough, stopping about an inch from the center. Twist each branch 2-3 times to form spiral-like branches; for the top slice, execute a half twist.
- Bake: Place the assembled tree on the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 20-22 minutes until the bottom is cooked through and the top is golden brown.
- Finishing touch: Remove from oven and immediately brush the warm appetizer with melted butter mixed with Italian seasoning and garlic powder for a flavorful glaze. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- This appetizer is easy to prepare and visually impressive, making it perfect for holiday parties.
- Be gentle when handling the dough to maintain the tree shape; some stretching is normal.
- You can use shredded cheddar, mozzarella, or a combination based on your preference.
- Serve immediately after baking for the best texture and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 114 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 322 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.05 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
