Description
Celebrate the holiday season with this Festive Christmas Tree Pizza, a fun and delicious main course featuring a beautifully shaped pizza dough loaded with classic toppings like mozzarella, Parmesan, veggies, and pepperoni arranged to resemble a Christmas tree. Perfect for gatherings and festive parties, this pizza combines easy preparation with eye-catching presentation.
Ingredients
Pizza Base and Sauce
- Refrigerated pizza dough or homemade dough – 1 large ball
- Olive oil – 1 tablespoon
- Pizza sauce – 1/2 cup
Cheeses
- Shredded mozzarella cheese – 1 1/2 cups
- Grated Parmesan cheese – 1/4 cup
Vegetables and Toppings
- Sliced green bell peppers – 1/2 cup
- Sliced cherry tomatoes – 1/2 cup
- Pepperoni cut into small circles or star shapes – 1/3 cup
- Black olives, sliced – 1/4 cup
- Fresh basil leaves – 1/4 cup
- Optional red pepper flakes – to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the pizza evenly and crisply.
- Shape the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into a large Christmas tree shape. Transfer the shaped dough carefully onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.
- Prepare the Base: Lightly brush the surface of the shaped dough with olive oil to help the crust brown nicely. Spread a thin, even layer of pizza sauce over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges to allow the crust to puff up.
- Add Cheeses: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly on top of the sauce, providing a creamy and flavorful base for the toppings.
- Decorate the Tree: Arrange sliced green bell peppers resembling garland across the pizza tree. Place cherry tomatoes and pepperoni circles or star shapes as festive ornaments, and add sliced black olives for flavorful accents.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly browned.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and top with fresh basil leaves for a burst of flavor and color. Sprinkle optional red pepper flakes if desired, slice, and serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Use small cookie cutters to shape pepperoni or bell peppers into festive stars or ornaments.
- For extra toppings, consider adding cooked sausage or sautéed mushrooms to enhance flavor and texture.
- Create mini Christmas tree pizzas using smaller dough portions, perfect for party appetizers or individual servings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
