Pull-Apart Christmas Tree Bread | Episode 505

11:10

Pull-apart Christmas tree bread, each bread is filled with cheese and brushed some garlic butter on top.

SERVES: MAKES 22 BUNS

PREP TIME: 1 H 15 M

COOK TIME: 20 M

TOTAL TIME: 1 H 35 M

Ingredients

Dough:

220 ml milk, lukewarm
14g active dry yeast
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp olive oil

Garlic butter:

2 tbsp butter, melted
handful parsley, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced

Filling:

100g cheese, shredded
50g ham (optional)

Method

1. To make the dough: Stir together the lukewarm milk, sugar and yeast. Add the flour, salt and oil. Mix until a smooth ball of dough begins to form, at least 10 minutes. Cover the bowl and allow to rise for 60 minutes.

2. Tip the dough onto your work surface and punch out the air bubbles. To make a Christmas tree shape, you’ll need 22 balls. Shape each piece of dough into a disc and place cheese in the middle. Pull up the sides of the dough to encase the cheese, pinching the dough together to seal. Roll into a ball and place on the baking sheet, sealed-side down, in a tree shape. Leave a little space between each ball, as they will grow when proving. Cover the tray and allow to rise for about 20 minutes.

3. Preheat the oven to 220 C / 425 F.

4. To make the garlic butter: Stir together the melted butter, minced garlic and chopped parsley.

5. Brush the top of the buns with the garlic butter.

6. Bake the bread in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.

*You can make the dough two days ahead. Once kneaded, put it in an oiled bowl, cover with cling film and store in the fridge for two days, then bring back to room temperature before shaping and proving.