Description
This festive Christmas Tree Spinach Dip Breadsticks recipe combines a flavorful spinach dip filling with soft, golden-baked breadsticks shaped into a charming holiday tree. Perfect for holiday parties or cozy family gatherings, these breadsticks offer a delicious and visually appealing appetizer that’s easy to prepare using store-bought or homemade pizza dough.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 1 pre-made pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
Spinach Dip Filling
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Brushing & Garnish
- Olive oil for brushing
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Optional: sesame seeds or poppy seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Prepare Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped spinach, softened cream cheese, sour cream, grated Parmesan, shredded mozzarella, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until the filling is smooth and well combined.
- Roll Out Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Trim the edges if necessary to create a neat, even shape.
- Shape Dough: Cut the dough into a Christmas tree shape. This can be a single large triangle with a trunk or several smaller triangles arranged as a tree shape.
- Add Filling: Spoon the prepared spinach dip filling onto the center of the dough tree, leaving enough space around the edges for folding and sealing.
- Seal Dough: Starting from one side, fold the edges of the dough over the filling and pinch them together to seal. Repeat on the opposite side, creating a sealed dough shell around the filling.
- Brush with Oil and Egg Wash: Brush the entire surface of the breadstick tree with olive oil, then brush with the beaten egg wash to give a golden, glossy finish when baked.
- Add Garnish: If using, sprinkle sesame seeds or poppy seeds over the top for extra flavor and decorative appeal.
- Bake: Place the prepared breadstick tree on the parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow the breadsticks to cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving warm.
Notes
- You can substitute the fresh spinach with frozen spinach, fully thawed and drained, if needed.
- For a vegetarian option, ensure the cheeses used do not contain animal rennet.
- Allow the dough to rest at room temperature for 10 minutes before rolling to make it easier to handle.
- Feel free to add other herbs such as parsley or dill to the filling for extra flavor.
- Egg wash can be omitted or replaced with milk for a lighter finish.
- Serve with marinara or ranch dipping sauce for added taste.
