Cheesy Artichoke & Spinach Christmas Tree Pull-Apart
I love anything you can pull apart at the table — makes folks feel instantly festive and like they earned the snack (even if you did all the work). This Cheesy Artichoke & Spinach Christmas Tree Pull-Apart is the kind of recipe that smells like a church potluck and looks like you planned ahead, though I mostly threw it together while humming an old holiday hymn and stirring with the dog underfoot (he’s a firm critic of crust quality). It’s warm, gooey, and a little fancy without the fuss — perfect for cold evenings in the foothills when a hot oven feels like a hug.
If you like spinach in pasta, you might enjoy a brighter dinner companion like sun-dried tomato shrimp with spinach pasta — same cozy greens, different mood.
Why this pull-apart makes the appetizer table sing
- Melty cream cheese and mozzarella give you that ultra-stretchy, comforting bite (no one complains about stretch).
- Artichokes add a slightly tangy, almost-briny counterpoint — keeps it from tasting like a cheese blob.
- Spinach sneaks in a green that feels virtuous (you can tell folks it’s “getting their greens” and mean it).
- Pull-apart format is interactive and prevents the awkward “which plate is mine” shuffle at parties.
A tiny kitchen moment that explains everything
I once assembled one of these while my mama sang from the next room (she’s got a southern hymn for every occasion), and everybody forgot their phones for a spell — that’s the kind of magic this does.
Happy pantry — Ingredients you’ll need
1 loaf frozen bread dough, thawed
1 cup artichoke hearts, chopped
1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
1 cup cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Step-by-step so it actually comes out right
- Preheat the oven according to bread dough instructions.
- In a bowl, mix together chopped artichoke hearts, spinach, cream cheese, and mozzarella cheese until well combined.
- Roll out the thawed bread dough on a floured surface and cut into star shapes or other holiday shapes.
- Place a spoonful of the cheese mixture onto each dough shape.
- Assemble the dough shapes into a Christmas tree formation on a baking sheet. (I like to brush a bit of melted butter between layers — you can skip it, but it’s like a tiny culinary hug.)
- Bake in the oven according to bread dough instructions or until golden brown.
- Serve warm, pulling apart pieces as desired.
If you’re planning a mains menu around this, try pairing with a stuffed chicken — the flavors play nicely with something like cranberry-spinach stuffed chicken with brie for a holiday spread.
Cooking Unit Converter — quick swaps for folks who cook by feel
Need teaspoons to milliliters or cups to grams? This little converter does the heavy lifting.
Top Tip from the porch (short and honest)
Let the cream cheese come fully to room temp — it mixes smoother and you’ll avoid lumps; also, don’t overstuff the stars or the dough won’t seal right (I learned this the polite way: with more cleanup). Also, if you want extra flavor, fold in a teaspoon of minced garlic or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes — I sometimes do both and call it “experimental.”
A warm nudge: give it a try with a mug of mulled cider and a playlist of low-key carols — you might find you’re happier than the dog was when I hid a crust from him.
Yes — store-bought pizza dough works fine (just follow the package for thawing/standing times).
You can assemble it and cover loosely in the fridge for up to 2 hours; if longer, dough may need a little extra bake time.
Swap cream cheese and mozzarella for plant-based alternatives and check labels for meltability — results vary but it’s doable.
A warm garlic butter or a simple marinara both pair well — the butter keeps things southern-comforty, marinara keeps it classic.
Yes, the filling stores covered in the fridge for 2–3 days; fluff before using and blot any excess moisture from spinach.
Daily Calorie Needs Calculator — a little help for planning portions
Use this to estimate how many calories guests might eat so you’re not left guessing.
Cheesy Artichoke & Spinach Christmas Tree Pull-Apart
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven according to the bread dough instructions.
- In a bowl, mix together the chopped artichoke hearts, spinach, cream cheese, and mozzarella cheese until well combined.
- Roll out the thawed bread dough on a floured surface and cut into star shapes or other holiday shapes.
- Place a spoonful of the cheese mixture onto each dough shape.
- Assemble the dough shapes into a Christmas tree formation on a baking sheet. Brush a bit of melted butter between layers if desired.
- Bake in the oven according to the bread dough instructions, or until golden brown.
- Serve warm, pulling apart pieces as desired.
