Description
Christmas Tree Spinach Dip Breadsticks are a festive, savory appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. These pull-apart breadsticks feature a delicious creamy spinach dip filling wrapped in golden, buttery dough twisted to resemble a Christmas tree, making for an eye-catching and tasty party treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Spinach Dip Filling
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 package (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Dough and Toppings
- 1 package refrigerated pizza dough or crescent roll dough
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- Extra Parmesan cheese for sprinkling
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Filling: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the drained spinach, then add cream cheese and sour cream. Mix until smooth and creamy. Incorporate mozzarella, Parmesan, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes if using, and Italian seasoning. Stir until well combined, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Shape the Tree Base: Unroll the pizza dough and cut it in half. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, shape one half of the dough into a large triangle to represent the Christmas tree shape. Spread the prepared spinach dip evenly over this triangle, leaving about a 1/2 inch border around the edges.
- Add the Top Layer and Cut Branches: Place the second half of the dough over the filling triangle. Press the edges of both dough layers together to seal the filling inside. Using a sharp knife, cut horizontal strips into both sides of the triangle, leaving a 1- to 2-inch center intact. Carefully twist each strip a few times away from the center to form the tree branches.
- Brush and Bake: Brush the entire bread tree with melted butter. Sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese generously over the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and cooked through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with chopped parsley for a fresh pop of color. Serve the breadsticks warm as a festive holiday appetizer perfect for sharing.
Notes
- The spinach dip filling can be made ahead and refrigerated up to 2 days in advance to save time.
- For a colorful festive look, decorate the bread tree with cherry tomato halves or small pieces of red bell pepper as edible ornaments before baking or immediately after baking with a little olive oil to make them stick.
- If desired, substitute crescent roll dough for pizza dough for a more buttery texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 breadstick
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
