This festive Crescent Roll Christmas Tree is a fun and easy treat! Made with flaky crescent rolls shaped like a tree, it can be filled with your favorite cheese, meats, or veggies.
It’s a hit at parties, plus it looks oh-so-festive. I love serving this warm and gooey treat with dipping sauces. Who can resist a tree you can eat? 🎄😋
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Crescent Roll Dough: This is the star of the show! If you want to switch it up, you can use puff pastry for a flakier texture, but be aware it may need longer to bake.
Cheese: I love using mozzarella because it melts wonderfully. You can try cheddar or pepper jack for a little kick. Vegan cheese also works if you’re looking for a dairy-free option!
Cream Cheese: This adds a creamy texture. If you’re no fan of cream cheese, you could use ricotta or a non-dairy cream cheese alternative.
Seasonings: Garlic powder and Italian seasoning boost the flavor! Feel free to customize with your favorites, like dried basil or herbs de Provence, to match your taste.
Garnish: Fresh parsley sprigs add a nice touch. For a fun twist, you could use edible flowers or different colored candies for “ornaments”!
How Do I Shape the Crescent Roll Tree?
Shaping the tree might seem tricky, but it’s quite manageable. Just take your time while arranging the dough. Here’s how to get it just right:
- Start with the base: Lay out a row of larger triangles for the bottom. These create the tree’s trunk.
- Layering: Use smaller triangles as you move up. Each row should get progressively smaller, resembling a real tree.
- Sealing: Don’t forget to pinch the dough where it meets so it holds together while baking.
With a little patience, your tree will come out looking festive and delicious!
Crescent Roll Christmas Tree
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Tree:
- 2 cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or your preferred melting cheese)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning or dried parsley
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
For Garnish:
- Fresh parsley sprigs for decoration
- Small red peppercorns, cherry tomatoes, or red candy for “ornaments”
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious treat will take about 20 minutes to prepare and around 15 minutes to bake, making a total of about 35 minutes. It’s a quick and delightful addition to your holiday festivities!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). To make cleanup easier, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. Prepare the Crescent Dough:
Open both cans of crescent roll dough and separate the triangles. On a cutting board, pinch the perforated holes together on each triangle to create larger, seamless triangles for your tree.
3. Shape the Christmas Tree:
On the prepared baking sheet, arrange the dough triangles in the shape of a Christmas tree. Begin with a wide base row, and then create smaller rows as you move up, finally leaving a small rectangle at the bottom center to serve as the trunk. You can use extra dough pieces for the trunk if needed.
4. Make the Cheese Filling:
In a bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, garlic powder (if using), and Italian seasoning until well combined and creamy.
5. Fill the Dough:
Using a spoon or a small spatula, spread a thin layer of the cheese mixture onto each dough triangle, keeping it away from the edges so it doesn’t ooze out while baking.
6. Roll the Tree:
Begin with the bottom row and carefully roll each triangle up toward the pointed end to form the croissant shape. Keep the rolled pieces close to each other but ensure they don’t touch, preserving the tree shape.
7. Add the Trunk:
Place the small rectangle piece you set aside earlier at the bottom center of the tree to represent the trunk. Seal the edges with a bit of water or leftover cheese mixture so it holds together during baking.
8. Egg Wash Time:
Brush the entire tree gently with the beaten egg wash. This will give it a beautiful golden finish when it’s baked.
9. Bake Your Tree:
Place the baking sheet in your preheated oven and bake for about 12-15 minutes or until the crescent rolls are puffed up and beautifully golden brown.
10. Cool and Garnish:
Once baked, remove the tree from the oven and let it cool slightly. Add your fresh parsley sprigs between the croissants to mimic the branches of a tree. Then, place the red peppercorns, cherry tomatoes, or candies on the parsley as ornaments.
11. Serve and Enjoy:
Slice and serve your Crescent Roll Christmas Tree warm with your favorite dipping sauces like marinara, ranch, or garlic butter. Enjoy this festive and cheesy holiday treat!
Happy Holidays! 🎄
Can I Use Other Types of Cheese?
Absolutely! While mozzarella is a great choice for melting, you can substitute it with cheddar, pepper jack, or any cheese you like. Just ensure that the cheese melts well for that gooey texture!
How Should I Store Leftovers?
To store leftovers, let the tree cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can reheat it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes to maintain that crispy texture.
Can I Prepare This in Advance?
Yes, you can prepare the cheese-filled dough tree a day ahead! Assemble the tree up to the point before egg washing, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, remove it from the fridge, let it come to room temperature, brush with egg wash, and bake as directed.
Can I Freeze the Crescent Roll Christmas Tree?
Yes! You can freeze the fully assembled tree (before baking) for up to 2 months. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil. To bake, thaw it overnight in the fridge, then brush with egg wash and bake as usual!