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Crowd-Pleasing Cinnamon Sugar Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread

cinnamon sugar christmas tree pull-apart bread - featured image
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This stunning pull-apart bread is shaped like a Christmas tree and coated in buttery cinnamon sugar. It’s soft, pillowy, and perfect for holiday gatherings—a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that even skeptics will love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 ½ cups (440g) all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup (180ml) warm milk
  • ¼ cup (60ml) warm water
  • ¼ cup (60g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted (for coating)
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar (for coating)
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt (for coating)
  • 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar (for glaze)
  • 2–3 tablespoons milk (for glaze)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for glaze)

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk and warm water. Sprinkle the yeast and a pinch of sugar over the top. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy and bubbly.
  2. Make the dough: Add the ¼ cup melted butter, sugar, egg, and salt to the yeast mixture. Whisk until combined. Add the flour, one cup at a time, stirring with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. It will be sticky.
  3. Let it rise: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 45-60 minutes, or until doubled in size.
  4. Prepare the pan: Grease a 9-inch round cake pan or springform pan. Line the bottom with a circle of parchment paper.
  5. Make the coating: In a small bowl, mix the 1 cup of sugar, 2 tablespoons of cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. In another small bowl, melt the ½ cup of butter.
  6. Shape the bread: Punch down the risen dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently pat it into a rectangle, about ½-inch thick. Cut the dough into small, bite-sized squares (about 1 to 1.5 inches).
  7. Layer the pieces: Take a piece of dough, dip it into the melted butter, coating it completely, then roll it in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Place it in the prepared pan. Continue with the remaining dough, layering the pieces evenly in a tree shape (wider base tapering to a point at the top).
  8. Second rise: Cover the pan with plastic wrap and let the shaped dough rise for another 20-30 minutes until puffy and pieces are touching.
  9. Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped. If browning too quickly, tent with foil for the last 10 minutes.
  10. Cool and glaze: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully invert onto a serving plate. Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Drizzle glaze over the top. Let set for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

The dough will feel sticky when cutting; don’t add too much flour. Use a kitchen thermometer to ensure liquid is around 110°F (43°C). For a dairy-free version, use melted coconut oil or vegan butter and almond milk. The bread can be made ahead: after shaping, refrigerate overnight, then let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: cinnamon sugar, pull-apart bread, Christmas tree, holiday bread, easy yeast bread, pull apart bread recipe

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/crowd-pleasing-cinnamon-sugar-christmas-tree-pull-apart-bread/