Nothing says festive and fun quite like gathering around a colorful, mouthwatering dish that brings everyone together, and this Easy Christmas Veggie Tree Pizza Recipe does exactly that. Combining a buttery, golden crescent dough base with a luscious cream cheese layer and a vibrant display of fresh veggies shaped into a Christmas tree, it’s both a feast for the eyes and the palate. Perfect as a holiday appetizer or a cheerful snack, this pizza promises to add joy and crunch to your celebrations with minimal fuss and a lot of holiday spirit.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is key to creating this delightful Easy Christmas Veggie Tree Pizza Recipe. Each ingredient plays a crucial role, from the flaky dough providing a sturdy yet tender base, to the creamy spread that holds all the vibrant veggies together in perfect harmony.
- Crescent dough, 16 ounces: The golden crust that holds everything together with buttery flakiness, use sheets if possible for easier shaping.
- Whipped chive cream cheese, 7.5 ounces: Adds a savory, creamy layer — regular cream cheese works too if you don’t have whipped.
- Sour cream, ½ cup: Lightens the cream cheese mixture for perfect spreadability and tang.
- Red bell pepper: Provides bright color and sweetness, plus stars when cut out.
- Yellow bell pepper: Adds sunshine-yellow stars for that festive tree topper effect.
- Broccoli florets, 1 ¼ cups: The green “needles” of the veggie tree, chopped small for easy eating.
- Small cauliflower florets, ½ cup: Fill in the white spaces to contrast beautifully with the broccoli.
- Grated carrot, 2 tablespoons: Sprinkled over the tree to mimic tinsel or festive garland.
- Red onion, 2 tablespoons, diced: Adds subtle oniony kick and color scattered on top.
- Cherry tomatoes, 5 halved: Bright red “ornaments” that pop with juicy freshness.
- Scallion or green onion, 1 sliced: Adds a fresh, mild onion finish and a pop of green beyond the tree.
How to Make Easy Christmas Veggie Tree Pizza Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly oil a rimmed baking pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking, creating a perfect surface for your crescent dough to bake into a golden crust.
Step 2: Shape and Bake the Dough
Lay out your crescent dough sheets on the pan, overlapping gently to form one large sheet. Pinch and press the seams together thoroughly to ensure your pizza base stays intact. Any extra dough can be folded down around the edges to form a nice crust. Bake for about 13 to 15 minutes until the dough turns a gorgeous golden brown. Then, let it cool completely to avoid melting the toppings later.
Step 3: Mix and Spread the Cream Cheese Layer
While your crust cools, mix the whipped chive cream cheese and sour cream in a bowl until perfectly smooth and combined. Spread this spread evenly over the cooled dough, leaving a narrow border around the edges for a crust that’s crisp and clean. This layer acts as the canvas for your festive veggie tree.
Step 4: Trace the Christmas Tree Shape
Using a butter knife or the blunt end of a chopstick, lightly trace a large Christmas tree shape into the cream cheese spread. Don’t worry if you don’t get it right on the first try; simply smooth over the cream cheese and try again until you’re happy with the shape—it’s part of the fun!
Step 5: Decorate the Tree with Veggies
Fill the tree shape densely with chopped broccoli florets, mimicking lush green branches. Use the small cauliflower florets to fill in any remaining white space around the tree, providing a snow-like contrast. Sprinkle grated carrot over the broccoli to create the illusion of festive garlands.
Step 6: Add Bell Pepper Stars and Cherry Tomato Ornaments
Slice the tops from your yellow bell pepper, removing cores and seeds. Using star-shaped cookie cutters, cut stars out of both bell peppers—make one larger star to crown the top of your veggie tree. Arrange these stars and the halved cherry tomatoes across the tree as ornaments, adding delightful pops of color.
Step 7: Final Touches
Sprinkle diced red onion and thinly sliced scallions over the entire pizza for a burst of flavor and a touch of final color contrast. Slice into serving pieces and enjoy the beautiful, festive, and delicious creation you’ve made!
How to Serve Easy Christmas Veggie Tree Pizza Recipe
Garnishes
To make your Easy Christmas Veggie Tree Pizza Recipe look even more festive, consider adding a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or a few extra scallion rings around the perimeter. These garnishes add an extra layer of freshness and elevate the presentation effortlessly.
Side Dishes
This pizza pairs wonderfully with light, crisp side dishes like a simple mixed green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette or a bowl of roasted nuts. These sides complement the creamy and crunchy textures of the pizza without overwhelming the delicate flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For a more interactive experience, serve the pizza on a large festive platter decorated with additional fresh bell pepper stars and broccoli florets. If you’re hosting a kids’ party or family gathering, let guests add their own “ornaments” from extra veggies and small containers of dipping sauces to personalize their slices.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Easy Christmas Veggie Tree Pizza Recipe slices covered tightly in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The veggies will stay crisp for up to two days, and the cream cheese spread remains creamy and delicious, making for a quick snack the next day.
Freezing
This pizza is best enjoyed fresh, as freezing can affect the texture of the fresh vegetables and cream cheese layer. If necessary, you can freeze the dough before baking, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, for up to a month and bake fresh when ready.
Reheating
To reheat, place leftover slices on a baking sheet and warm in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 8 to 10 minutes. This method keeps the crust crispy without overcooking the veggies or melting the toppings too much.
FAQs
Can I use regular cream cheese instead of whipped chive cream cheese?
Absolutely! Regular cream cheese works perfectly well. You can mix in a bit of chopped chives or other herbs to mimic the flavor of the whipped chive cream cheese if you like.
Is it necessary to pre-bake the crescent dough before adding toppings?
Yes, pre-baking ensures the crust is crispy and fully cooked before adding the moist cream cheese and veggies, preventing sogginess and keeping everything perfectly textured.
Can I prepare this pizza in advance?
You can prepare the crust and cream cheese spread a few hours ahead and refrigerate them separately. Add the fresh veggies and assemble just before serving to keep everything looking fresh and crisp.
What are good substitutions for the veggies used?
Feel free to swap in your favorites, like sliced cucumbers, radishes, or olives, to keep your Easy Christmas Veggie Tree Pizza Recipe fresh and tailored to your taste.
How do I make star shapes without cookie cutters?
If you don’t have cookie cutters, you can carefully cut stars freehand with a small, sharp knife or even use a paper template as a guide. It’s all about having fun and getting creative!
Final Thoughts
This Easy Christmas Veggie Tree Pizza Recipe is a joyful way to bring festive cheer and fresh flavors to your holiday table. Its beautiful presentation, simple ingredients, and irresistible taste make it a standout dish that’s sure to delight your family and friends. I can’t wait for you to try it—happy holidays and happy baking!
Print
Easy Christmas Veggie Tree Pizza Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Easy Christmas Veggie Pizza is a festive and healthy appetizer featuring a crescent dough crust spread with a creamy chive and sour cream mixture, topped with colorful fresh vegetables arranged to resemble a Christmas tree. Perfect for holiday gatherings, this recipe is simple to make and delightfully visually appealing.
Ingredients
Dough Base
- 16 ounces crescent dough (sheets preferred, regular crescent dough also works)
Spread
- 7.5 ounces whipped chive cream cheese (about 1 cup; regular cream cheese can be substituted)
- ½ cup sour cream
Vegetables & Toppings
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 yellow bell pepper
- 1 1/4 cups broccoli florets (chopped into small pieces)
- ½ cup small cauliflower florets
- 2 tablespoons grated carrot
- 2 tablespoons red onion (diced small)
- 5 cherry tomatoes (cut in half)
- 1 scallion or green onion (thinly sliced)
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Pan: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly oil a rimmed baking pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Form and Bake Crust: Lay the crescent dough sheets on the prepared pan, overlapping and pinching the seams to seal them together into one large sheet. Fold any extra dough down around the edges. Bake for 13-15 minutes until the crust turns golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
- Cool Before Topping: Ensure the baked dough is cooled completely to the touch before adding toppings to avoid sogginess or melting.
- Make Cream Cheese Spread: In a small bowl, stir together the whipped chive cream cheese and sour cream until fully combined. Spread this mixture evenly over the cooled crescent dough base, leaving a thin border around the edges to form a crust.
- Outline Christmas Tree: Use a butter knife or chopstick to lightly trace a large Christmas tree shape in the cream cheese spread. If needed, smooth out and retrace until satisfied with the shape.
- Add Broccoli and Cauliflower: Fill the tree shape densely with chopped broccoli florets. Fill the surrounding area outside the tree with small cauliflower florets to create contrast. Sprinkle the shredded carrot evenly over the broccoli tree for color and texture.
- Create Bell Pepper Stars: Slice the top off the yellow bell pepper and remove core and seeds. Use small star-shaped cookie cutters to cut star shapes from both yellow and red bell peppers. Place a larger star at the top of the tree and decorate the rest of the tree with smaller stars and halved cherry tomatoes.
- Finish with Onion and Serve: Sprinkle diced red onion and thinly sliced scallions evenly over the entire pizza. Slice into portions and serve immediately.
Notes
- For a flaky crust, use crescent sheet dough rather than individual triangles.
- Make sure the dough cools completely before spreading the cream cheese mixture to prevent melting.
- Use star-shaped cookie cutters for easy and festive decorations from the bell peppers.
- This appetizer is best served the same day but can be chilled briefly before serving.
- To cut neatly, use a sharp knife and wipe between slices.
