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Vegan Pull Apart Christmas Tree

Vegan pull apart Christmas tree rolls bake into a golden, soft bread tree filled with melted vegan mozzarella. Brush the hot rolls with garlic vegan butter and finish with fresh parsley for a shareable holiday appetizer.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 23 minutes
Rising and resting 1 hour 58 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 46 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Calories: 345
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the dough
  • 3.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 2.25 tsp instant yeast
  • 1.25 tsp kosher salt
  • 1.25 cups water warm, 105–110°F
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
For the filling
  • 6 oz vegan mozzarella shredded
For the topping
  • 3 tbsp vegan butter
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
  • 0.25 tsp kosher salt

Equipment

  • 1 18x13-inch rimmed baking sheet

Method
 

Make the dough
  1. Whisk together the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in a large bowl.
  2. Stir in the warm water and olive oil until a shaggy dough forms.
  3. Knead the dough on a clean work surface for 8–10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
  4. Return the dough to the bowl and cover it.
  5. Let rise in a warm place for 60–90 minutes, until doubled in size.
Shape and bake
  1. Line an 18x13-inch rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Divide the dough into 24 equal pieces.
  3. Flatten each piece, add about 1 teaspoon of vegan mozzarella, and pinch the dough closed around the filling.
  4. Arrange the balls seam-side down in a tree shape, with rows of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 balls and a centered row of 3 balls for the trunk, leaving about 1/2 inch between them.
  5. Cover the rolls.
  6. Let rise for 30–45 minutes, until puffy, while heating the oven to 375°F.
  7. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the rolls are golden brown.
Finish the tree
  1. Melt the vegan butter.
  2. Stir in the garlic and salt.
  3. Brush the mixture over the hot rolls and sprinkle with parsley.
  4. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Pinch the dough seams closed firmly so the vegan mozzarella stays inside as the rolls bake. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze them; reheat before serving. For a soy-free option, choose a soy-free vegan mozzarella.