Garlic Pull-Apart Rolls

how to make christmas tree pull apart rolls recipe

5 from 2 votes

These pull-apart garlic rolls are soft, fluffy, buttery, and topped with garlic salt and Parmesan cheese just before baking. Each delicious roll is also stuffed with mozzarella cheese, making these pull-apart rolls absolutely irresistible.

Prep Time15

Cook Time15

Rising time1

Total Time1 30

Course: Bread, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: Rolls

Calories: 122kcal

Author: The Carefree Kitchen

Ingredients

Dough

1 cup water warm (about 95-110 degrees F)
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons oil
1 large egg
1 teaspoon salt
2? to 2? cups all-purpose flour

Finishing

6 sticks string cheese cut into 4 pieces
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon garlic salt
3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese grated
2 tablespoons butter melted

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the warm water, yeast, and sugar and mix to combine. Let sit for about 5 minutes, or until the yeast mixture begins to form bubbles.
Add the oil, egg, and salt to the yeast mixture and mix to combine. Next, add 2 cups of flour and mix on low speed using the dough hook attachment. At this point, the dough will be very sticky.
Continue to add up to 2/3 cup of additional flour to the dough, until the dough starts to pull away from the edges of the bowl as you mix. Once you have added all of the flour, mix on low speed for about 2 minutes to knead. Turn the mixer off, cover the bowl loosely with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size, or about 30-45 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Transfer the dough from the bowl onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 21 equal pieces. Roll into balls and place a chunk of cheese in the center of the ball. Pinch the dough around the cheese to seal.
To make a Christmas Tree shape: line a baking sheet with parchment paper Place dough balls onto the prepared baking pan, start with 6 dough balls on the bottom row, 5 dough balls on the next, continuing up until the tree is formed. Place 1 dough ball under the bottom row to form the trunk.
To bake in a baking dish: lightly butter a 9" x 13" baking dish and place the dough balls inside so that they are gently touching.
Brush the dough balls with milk and sprinkle with garlic salt and grated Parmesan cheese. Cover loosely and let the dough rise in a warm place for 30-45 minutes, or until the rolls are doubled in size.
Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
Remove from the oven and let cool for 1-2 minutes, then brush the tops with melted butter. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

Storing instructions: store rolls in an airtight container or freezer bag in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months. To thaw, transfer to the fridge or countertop overnight.

Make-ahead tips: you can freeze the unbaked rolls in the baking dish, wrapping well in plastic wrap, for up to 1 month. Once you are ready to serve, remove from the freezer for a couple of hours before you want to bake. Once they have doubled in size, you can bake as directed.

Reheating: for a single serving, you can reheat in the microwave until warm. Otherwise, add the entire pan of rolls back into the oven at 300 degrees for about 10 minutes, or until warmed through.

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