Adorable mini pizzas shaped like Christmas trees, topped with sauce, cheese, and pepperoni “ornaments.” A festive and fun dinner or appetizer for the season.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive Appeal: These mini pizzas bring holiday cheer to your table with their charming Christmas tree shape.
- Customizable: Easily adapt the toppings to suit different tastes or dietary preferences.
- Kid-Friendly: A fun cooking activity that children can participate in, from cutting shapes to adding toppings.
- Quick and Easy: Using prepared pizza dough simplifies the process, making it suitable for busy holiday schedules.
- Versatile Serving Options: Perfect as an appetizer, snack, or even a light meal during the festive season.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Pizza dough
- Pizza sauce
- Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Mini pepperoni
- Green bell pepper, finely diced (optional, for decoration)
- Flour, for dusting
- Olive oil, for brushing
Directions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.A Gouda Life+1Healthy Kids Recipes+1
- Prepare Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough to approximately ¼-inch thickness.
- Cut Shapes: Use a tree-shaped cookie cutter to cut out Christmas tree shapes from the dough. Gather and re-roll scraps as needed to maximize the number of trees.A Gouda Life
- Assemble Pizzas: Place the dough trees onto the prepared baking sheet. Lightly brush each with olive oil. Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce over each tree, leaving a small border around the edges. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Decorate with mini pepperoni slices and diced green bell pepper to resemble ornaments.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the edges of the dough are golden brown.
- Serve: Allow the mini pizzas to cool slightly before serving.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: Approximately 12 mini pizzas, depending on the size of your cookie cutter.Walking On Sunshine Recipes
- Prep Time: 20 minutesHealthy Family Project+2Sparkle Markets Recipe Archive+2Healthy Kids Recipes+2
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutesWalking On Sunshine Recipes+11A Gouda Life+11Marie Food Tips+11
- Total Time: 30-32 minutes
Variations
- Alternative Toppings: Consider using diced red bell peppers, sliced olives, or mushrooms for different flavors and colors.
- Cheese Options: Experiment with other cheeses like cheddar or provolone for a unique taste.
- Dough Choices: Puff pastry can be used instead of traditional pizza dough for a flakier texture.Happy Foods Tube
- Vegetarian Option: Omit the pepperoni and add more vegetables or meat substitutes.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store any leftover mini pizzas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, place the pizzas on a baking sheet and warm in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, or until heated through.
FAQs
How can I prevent the dough from sticking when cutting out shapes?
Ensure your surface and cookie cutter are lightly floured to prevent sticking.A Gouda Life
Can I make these mini pizzas ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the pizzas and refrigerate them, covered, for up to 24 hours before baking.Cooking My Dreams
Is it possible to freeze the unbaked mini pizzas?
Freezing unbaked pizzas is not recommended as the dough may become soggy upon thawing.
Can I use store-bought pizza dough?
Absolutely, store-bought dough works well and saves time.
How do I ensure the pizzas cook evenly?
Roll the dough to a uniform thickness and space the pizzas evenly on the baking sheet.
What can I use if I don’t have a tree-shaped cookie cutter?
You can hand-cut tree shapes using a knife, or use other festive cookie cutter shapes.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, by using gluten-free pizza dough and ensuring all toppings are gluten-free.
How can I make the pizzas more festive?
Use colorful toppings like red and green bell peppers to enhance the holiday theme.
Are there any dipping sauces that pair well with these pizzas?
Marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or garlic butter make excellent dipping options.
Can children help with this recipe?
Yes, children can assist with cutting shapes and adding toppings, making it a fun family activity.
Conclusion
Christmas Tree Mini Pizzas are a delightful and festive addition to any holiday gathering. Their charming appearance and customizable nature make them a hit among guests of all ages. Whether served as an appetizer or a fun meal, these mini pizzas are sure to bring joy and flavor to your holiday celebrations.
PrintChristmas Tree Mini Pizzas
These Christmas Tree Mini Pizzas are festive, fun, and perfect for holiday gatherings! Made with pizza dough cut into tree shapes, then topped with sauce, mozzarella, and mini pepperoni “ornaments,” they’re a kid-friendly appetizer or merry dinner idea.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
- Total Time: 25–30 minutes
- Yield: Varies depending on dough size (approx. 10–15 mini pizzas)
- Category: Appetizer, Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
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Pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
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Pizza sauce
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Shredded mozzarella cheese
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Mini pepperoni
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Tree-shaped cookie cutter
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400°F (or follow your dough’s package instructions).
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Roll out pizza dough on a floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness.
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Use a tree-shaped cookie cutter to cut out mini pizza bases.
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Place cut-outs on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
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Spread a small spoonful of pizza sauce onto each tree.
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Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and top with mini pepperoni to mimic ornaments.
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Bake for 10–12 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and crust is golden.
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Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
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Add bell pepper stars or olive pieces for extra decoration.
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Great for kids to decorate their own pizzas.
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Can be made ahead and reheated in the oven or air fryer.