Description
This festive Christmas Tree Appetizer combines a creamy spinach and cheese filling enveloped in a flaky, twisted pizza dough shaped like a Christmas tree. Perfect for holiday gatherings, this savory treat offers a delightful blend of Italian seasoning, garlic, and cheeses baked to golden perfection and finished with a buttery, seasoned glaze.
Ingredients
Scale
Spinach Cheese Filling
- 10 ounce package frozen chopped spinach (thawed and the 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 a combination of the two)
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Dough
- 1 tube refrigerated pizza crust
Topping
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and place the oven rack toward the bottom. Prepare two large rectangular pieces of parchment paper; place one on a baking sheet and set both sheets aside.
- Make the spinach cheese 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, then mix again until well combined. Stir in parmesan cheese and half of the shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese until evenly mixed.
- Prepare and shape the dough: Roll out the refrigerated pizza dough onto the parchment paper not on the baking sheet. Use a rolling pin to even out thicker areas. Cut a large triangle with the base at the smaller bottom side of the rectangle using a pizza cutter.
- Create the tree base: Transfer the two leftover small triangular dough pieces onto the second parchment paper on the baking sheet. Press their long sides together to form the base of the tree. Pull off a small piece of dough to make the trunk of the tree and attach it to the base.
- Assemble the tree appetizer: Spread the spinach cheese mixture evenly over the tree base. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese on top. Place the remaining dough triangle over the filling, covering it completely by gently stretching if needed.
- Cut and twist branches: Use a pizza cutter to cut 1-inch thick branches along both sides of the dough triangle, cutting almost all the way through but leaving about an inch uncut down the middle. Twist each branch 2-3 times to create the tree branches, twisting the short top slice a half twist.
- Bake: Place the prepared tree on the baking sheet into the preheated oven. Bake for 20-22 minutes or until the dough is cooked through and golden brown on top.
- Add finishing touches: Melt the butter and mix in the Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Brush this mixture over the hot baked appetizer for a flavorful glaze. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Make sure to squeeze out as much water as possible from the thawed spinach to prevent soggy dough.
- If dough stretches while shaping, gently pull it back to the desired shape without tearing.
- You can substitute shredded cheese varieties, but a mix of mozzarella and cheddar gives the best flavor and melt.
- Serve the appetizer fresh from the oven for the best texture and taste.
- This recipe yields about 20 pieces, making it ideal for parties.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
