Step 1 of 11
Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Pizza Bread
Sprinkle the cheese on a large cutting board or kitchen counter. Place the dough on top of cheese and knead a few times to warm dough and incorporate the cheese. Let dough rest for about 10 minutes.
PRO TIP Look for bags of pizza dough at grocery stores in the refrigerated or frozen food aisle.
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Step 2 of 11
Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Pizza Bread
Partially cook the pancetta in a small frying pan over medium heat, stirring and turning occasionally, until lightly golden, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and let cool.
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Step 3 of 11
Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Pizza Bread
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
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Step 4 of 11
Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Pizza Bread
On a cutting board or counter, roll the dough to a 9x13-inch rectangle. Cut a 9x13-inch center triangle with two smaller side triangles. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Transfer the large center dough triangle to one pan. If the triangle shrinks while moving, use your fingers to gently stretch it out to 9 inches at the base and 13 inches tall.
PRO TIP Pizza dough is elastic. You may need to roll it out, let it rest 5 minutes or so, and then continue rolling in order to reach the right dimensions.
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Step 5 of 11
Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Pizza Bread
Spoon the pesto onto the large dough triangle and spread with the back of a spoon to evenly cover dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border all around. Sprinkle the cooked pancetta, mozzarella, and Parmesan on top. Season with pepper and set aside.
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Step 6 of 11
Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Pizza Bread
On the other prepared baking sheet, set the smaller dough triangles side by side, overlapping slightly in the center to create a triangle about the same size as the first. Press pieces to join. Gently roll up the dough on a rolling pin, and then unroll it on top of the dough with the toppings. Press along the edges to seal, stretching the dough gently to fit as needed.
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Step 7 of 11
Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Pizza Bread
Place a piece of parchment paper on top of the stuffed dough. Invert the second baking sheet on top of stuffed dough. Flip pans so the seam side is down. Peel off the parchment on top.
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Step 8 of 11
Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Pizza Bread
Think of the triangle as having a 1 1/2-inch-wide "trunk" running up the middle, from the base to the pointed top. Be careful not to cut into this area. Using a pizza cutter or knife and starting on the bottom of one side of the triangle, begin making horizontal cuts about 3/4 inch wide from the trunk out to the edge. Continue to about halfway up the "trunk," and repeat on the other side of the triangle. Continue making the same width cuts from the middle to the top of the "trunk" on both sides, stopping about 2 inches from the point. Twist each strip of dough two or three times and lay back down in its original spot. When finished, the triangle will resemble a Christmas tree.
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Step 9 of 11
Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Pizza Bread
Bake the tree on middle rack of oven until nicely golden, about 20 minutes. Check tree occasionally as it bakes, and if any part starts to brown faster than the rest, tent that section with a small piece of foil.
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Step 10 of 11
Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Pizza Bread
Check to see that bread is done. Remove from oven or add time as needed.
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Step 11 of 11
Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Pizza Bread
Set baking sheet on a cooling rack and let bread cool for about 20 minutes. With two wide metal spatulas, transfer bread to a serving board or platter and serve warm. If making the bread ahead, let it cool completely, then wrap airtight in foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. To serve, reheat bread uncovered on a baking sheet in a 325°F oven until heated through.