Christmas Tree Pizza
The Christmas Tree Pizza transforms pizza dough into a festive holiday tree shape, topped with pesto for the “greenery” and colorful vegetables and cheese for “ornaments,” creating a delicious centerpiece that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.
Ingredients
- 1 lb pizza dough store-bought or homemade
- 1/2 cup basil pesto for the “tree” color
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 small yellow bell pepper diced (for “ornaments”)
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes halved (for “ornaments”)
- 1/4 cup black olives sliced (for “ornaments”)
- 1 small red bell pepper cut into star shape (for tree topper)
- 1 stick of string cheese or small breadstick for tree trunk
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Flour for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On a floured surface, roll out your pizza dough into a large oval or rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick.
- Shape the dough into a triangle with a small rectangle at the bottom to form the tree shape. The triangle should be about 12-14 inches tall and 10-12 inches wide at the base.
- Transfer the shaped dough to your parchment-lined baking sheet. If it stretches during transfer, simply reshape it on the baking sheet.
- Brush the entire surface with olive oil and sprinkle with Italian seasoning to enhance flavor.
- Spread the pesto evenly over the triangle portion of the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges to form a crust.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the pesto, covering most of the “tree” but allowing some green to peek through.
- Arrange your colorful toppings (bell peppers, tomatoes, and olives) over the cheese to resemble ornaments on the tree.
- Place the red bell pepper star at the top of the tree and position your string cheese or breadstick at the bottom for the trunk.
- Finish with a light sprinkle of parmesan cheese over the entire pizza for a “snowy” effect.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling and slightly browned.
- Allow to cool for 3-5 minutes before slicing and serving for the best presentation.
Notes
- You can prepare the “ornament” toppings in advance to save time during assembly.
- For an extra festive touch, arrange the toppings in patterns like garland by creating lines of alternating colors.
- Whole wheat pizza dough works well for this recipe and adds a rustic quality to the “tree.”
- If serving for a party, consider making multiple smaller trees instead of one large one for easier serving.
- The pizza can be partially baked (about 10 minutes) ahead of time and finished just before serving.