Although pizza isn't exactly a traditional holiday dish, one thing's for sure: Pizza is delicious all year round! So, why not make these mini Christmas tree pizzas as a festive snack or appetizer? Thanks to store-bought pizza sauce and canned crescent dough, this recipe is super quick and easy. You can even turn it into a family activity, as kids and adults alike will love making (and eating) these cheesy treats.
Things You’ll Need
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2 8-ounce tubes of crescent dough, chilled
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3/4 cup pizza sauce
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1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
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1/3 cup black olives, sliced
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1/3 cup green bell pepper, diced
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1/3 cup mini pepperoni
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Fresh basil or parsley, chopped
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Oil
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Christmas tree cookie cutter
Tip
Omit the pepperoni to make the vegetarian mini pizzas.
Step 1
Add about 1 teaspoon oil to a small skillet. Cook the bell peppers for 5 minutes, or until slightly tender. Set aside.
Step 2
Preheat the oven to 350°F. If you'd like, line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to catch burned cheese. Otherwise, you can use unlined baking sheets.
Roll out a tube of crescent dough on a sheet of parchment paper. Gently press the perforated lines together.
Step 3
Press a Christmas tree cookie cutter into the dough, cutting out as many trees as possible. You can do this by placing the cut-outs very close together. It also helps to flip the cookie after every cut-out to get the most out of your dough.
Repeat with the second tube of dough.
Tip
To re-use leftover dough, roll the scraps into balls. Place each ball between two sheets of parchment paper, flatten with a rolling pin then transfer to a plate or baking dish. Chill for 10 to 15 minutes in the freezer; this will make the dough less sticky and easier to work with. Once chilled, cut out more trees.
Step 4
Place the crescent trees on the lined baking sheets. Bake for 5 minutes.
Step 5
Spoon about 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce on to each tree.
Step 6
Add the shredded mozzarella cheese. Top with bell peppers, sliced olives and/or mini pepperoni.
Step 7
Bake for another 8 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly. It may take more or less time to finish baking, depending on your oven.
Step 8
Garnish with chopped basil or parsley. Serve immediately.
