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Our family gatherings wouldn't be the same without these Holiday Tree Spinach Filled Twists. Picture this - soft, puffy bread twisted into a gorgeous Christmas tree shape with gooey, creamy spinach stuffed inside. When I bring this to gatherings, everyone's jaws drop at the festive look, and it's gone within minutes flat.
An Eye-Catching Crowd Pleaser
What I adore about this dish is how it turns basic grocery store pizza dough into something truly special. The stuffing is creamy and packed with cheese, plus perfectly flavored spinach that drips out with each bite. And guess what? It takes just an hour to whip up but looks like I slaved away all afternoon.
What You'll Need
- Pizza Dough: Just snag a pack from the grocery store refrigerator section to save time.
- Frozen Spinach: Thaw it completely and wring out all moisture - this step can't be skipped.
- Cream Cheese: Leave it out to get soft so it blends without lumps.
- Garlic: Either chop up fresh cloves or use the powder version.
- Cheeses: Go for a mix of shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan for ultimate gooeyness.
- Seasonings: A mix of Italian herbs and garlic salt brings everything alive.
- Melted Butter: A quick brush at the end gives it that amazing golden finish.
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Crafting Your Holiday Tree
- Mix Your Filling First
- Get that spinach bone dry then combine with softened cream cheese both kinds of cheese garlic and all those yummy seasonings till smooth.
- Prepare The Dough
- Flatten dough into a rectangle roughly 14x10 inches. Cut it into two identical triangles that'll form your tree.
- Stack Everything Together
- Spread your creamy mixture on the first triangle place the second on top then cut strips from sides toward middle. Keep the center trunk intact and twist each strip to create branches.
- Bake To Perfection
- Stick it in a 350°F oven for 32 minutes until golden brown. Finish with a butter brush some extra seasonings and watch everyone fight for pieces.
Insider Tricks
- Super Dry Spinach: Keep squeezing until no water comes out. Soggy spinach will ruin everything.
- Always Use Parchment: Makes the whole process way easier when handling the dough.
- Twisting Tips: Give shorter pieces one twist and longer pieces two. Makes for the best tree shape.
- Look Underneath: Tap the bottom to make sure it's fully baked through.
Presentation Ideas
This looks amazing displayed on a rustic wooden platter with some greenery around it. Put out small bowls of warm marinara melted garlic butter or creamy ranch for dipping. It's fantastic right out of the oven but still tastes great after cooling down too.
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Get Ahead Suggestions
- Night Before: You can form the entire tree wrap it carefully and stick it in the fridge until party day.
- Storing Extras: Keep any remaining pieces in a sealed container for up to 2 days. A quick warm-up brings back the fresh-baked taste.
- Make And Freeze: The uncooked tree can stay in your freezer for a month just bake longer when you're ready.
Common Questions
- Can I Use Fresh Spinach? Absolutely just wilt it first cool it down and squeeze out water before mixing.
- What Else Works Inside? Throw in some chopped artichoke hearts cooked bacon bits or chopped sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor.
- No Pizza Dough Available? Try using puff pastry sheets or canned crescent roll dough just watch your cooking time.
- Worried About Sticking? Never skip the parchment paper it saves so many headaches.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can this be prepped early?
Yes, you can make the filling a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator. Just bake the breadsticks fresh when it's time to serve.
- → Why does the dough need to brown?
Baking until golden makes sure the bread cooks all the way through. Undercooked dough will be sticky and won’t hold the filling properly.
- → Is fresh spinach okay to use?
If you go with fresh, cook and wring out the excess water beforehand. Frozen spinach is quicker since it’s already prepped and just needs to be drained.
- → How do I keep the filling inside?
Dry the spinach thoroughly and seal the seams tightly. Twist each piece securely to ensure no leaks during baking.
- → What's the best reheating method?
Pop them in the oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes. This way, the bread stays crispy, while the inside warms up nicely without drying out.