Christmas Eve Pizza Trees

Italian Christmas Eve Pizza Trees Recipe with Cauliflower and Cheese

Region / culture: Italy | Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 20-25 minutes | Servings: 4-6

Introduction

Christmas Eve Pizza Trees are a fun and festive twist on traditional pizza, perfect for celebrating the holiday season. These individual pizza trees are not only delicious, but also make for a visually stunning dish that will impress your guests.

History

The idea of Christmas Eve Pizza Trees originated from the desire to create a unique and festive dish for holiday gatherings. By shaping the pizza dough into tree shapes and decorating them with colorful toppings, this recipe adds a touch of holiday cheer to a classic favorite.

Ingredients

Dough

3.75 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour plus 0.25 cup for dusting the dough
1 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp sugar
0.5 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 bottle of beer (12 oz (340 g))

Toppings

1 cup prepared commercial or homemade pizza sauce
2 cups shredded pizza-blend cheese
"ornaments" made from favorite toppings, including tiny cauliflower or broccoli florets, sliced black olives, onion rings, grape tomatoes, or cherry tomatoes cut in half, zucchini rounds, sliced red, green or yellow bell peppers, sliced mushrooms

How to prepare

Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C).
Grease two baking sheets.
In the bowl of a mixer, combine 3.75 cups of flour with the remaining dry ingredients, and stir together.
Add the beer and mix well.
Divide the dough in half, and place each ball of dough onto a prepared baking sheet. The dough will be very sticky, but when you dust each with 2 tbsp of the reserved flour, you can easily pat the dough into a tree shape, about 0.25 inch thick.
Spread 0.5 cup of sauce on each tree, spreading to within 0.25 inch of the edges.
Sprinkle each crust with 1 cup of shredded pizza-blend cheese.
Decorate the 'trees' by making 'garlands' with the pepper slices, and 'ornaments' with your choice of toppings.
Toss any leftover toppings into your salad bowl with some mixed greens for the evening's salad.
Bake the pizzas in the oven for 10 minutes, then switch trays and bake for another 10 minutes or so, until the edge of the crust is golden, and the cheese is melted.

Variations

Try using different types of cheese or sauce for a unique flavor profile.
Experiment with various toppings such as olives, peppers, or pineapple to create different designs on the pizza trees.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Make sure to dust the dough with flour before shaping it into tree shapes to prevent sticking.

- Get creative with your toppings to make each pizza tree unique and personalized.

- Preparing the dough ahead of time and refrigerating it can help make the process easier and more convenient.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Christmas Eve Pizza Trees with a side salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal. Pair with a glass of red wine or sparkling cider for a festive touch.

Cooking Techniques

Preheat the oven to ensure even cooking and a crispy crust.

- Rotate the baking sheets halfway through baking to ensure even browning.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can use whole wheat flour or gluten-free flour for a healthier alternative.

- Substitute the beer with sparkling water or broth for a non-alcoholic version.

Make Ahead Tips

Prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it until ready to use. You can also pre-chop the toppings and store them in the fridge for easy assembly.

Presentation Ideas

Arrange the Christmas Eve Pizza Trees on a festive platter and garnish with fresh herbs or edible flowers for a decorative touch.

Pairing Recommendations

Pair Christmas Eve Pizza Trees with a light salad, fruit platter, or charcuterie board for a well-rounded holiday meal. Serve with your favorite beverages such as wine, beer, or cocktails.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftover Christmas Eve Pizza Trees in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (177°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Christmas Eve Pizza Trees contains approximately 350 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of Christmas Eve Pizza Trees contains approximately 45 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of Christmas Eve Pizza Trees contains approximately 12 grams of fats.

Proteins

Each serving of Christmas Eve Pizza Trees contains approximately 15 grams of proteins.

Vitamins and minerals

Christmas Eve Pizza Trees are a good source of calcium, vitamin C, and other essential nutrients from the cheese and toppings.

Alergens

This recipe contains gluten and dairy from the flour, cheese, and beer. It may also contain allergens depending on the toppings used.

Summary

Christmas Eve Pizza Trees are a balanced meal with a good mix of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. They also provide essential vitamins and minerals, making them a nutritious and delicious option for holiday celebrations.

Summary

Christmas Eve Pizza Trees are a fun and festive dish that combines the flavors of pizza with the holiday spirit. With a creative presentation and delicious toppings, these individual pizza trees are sure to be a hit at your next holiday gathering. Enjoy making and sharing this unique recipe with your loved ones!

How did I get this recipe?

I can still recall the sense of amazement I felt when I first saw this recipe for Christmas Eve Pizza Trees. It was many years ago, back when I was a young girl just beginning to discover my love for cooking. The recipe came to me from my neighbor Mrs. Jenkins, a sweet old lady who had a talent for creating delicious and unique dishes.

Mrs. Jenkins had invited me over to her house one afternoon to help her with some baking for the upcoming holiday season. As we worked in her cozy kitchen, she suddenly pulled out a worn and stained recipe card from a drawer and handed it to me with a mischievous smile.

"Here, dear, I think you'll enjoy making this one," she said.

I eagerly took the card and read the title: Christmas Eve Pizza Trees. The name alone sparked my curiosity, as I had never heard of such a dish before. Mrs. Jenkins explained that it was a fun and festive recipe for the holiday season, perfect for serving at a Christmas Eve party or as a special treat for the family.

The recipe called for basic pizza ingredients like dough, sauce, cheese, and toppings, but the real magic came in the way it was assembled and decorated. The dough was rolled out into individual tree shapes, topped with sauce and cheese, and then adorned with colorful vegetable "ornaments" like bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and olives. The end result was a whimsical and delicious pizza creation that looked like a miniature Christmas tree.

I couldn't wait to try making the Christmas Eve Pizza Trees myself, so I thanked Mrs. Jenkins profusely and hurried home to gather the ingredients. As I worked in my own kitchen, I followed the recipe carefully, shaping the dough into tree shapes and decorating them with care. The smell of baking pizza filled the air, and I felt a sense of joy and accomplishment as I pulled the finished trees out of the oven.

When my family sat down to eat that night, their eyes widened with delight as they saw the festive pizzas on the table. My parents and siblings couldn't believe how creative and delicious the Christmas Eve Pizza Trees were, and they eagerly dug in, savoring each bite.

From that moment on, the recipe became a beloved tradition in our household, a must-have dish for our Christmas Eve celebrations. I made it every year without fail, tweaking the toppings and decorations to suit our tastes and preferences. Sometimes we added extra cheese or swapped out the vegetables for pepperoni and mushrooms, but the basic concept remained the same.

As the years went by, I continued to perfect my recipe for Christmas Eve Pizza Trees, adding my own personal touch and flair to the dish. I shared it with friends and neighbors, who all marveled at the creativity and deliciousness of the pizza trees. It became a signature dish of mine, something that people looked forward to every holiday season.

Now, as I sit in my kitchen with the familiar scent of baking pizza wafting through the air, I can't help but smile as I think back to that day when Mrs. Jenkins first introduced me to the recipe. It has become a cherished part of my culinary repertoire, a symbol of the joy and magic of the holiday season.

I am grateful for the knowledge and inspiration that Mrs. Jenkins passed down to me, and I am proud to carry on the tradition of making Christmas Eve Pizza Trees for my family and friends. As I take the piping hot pizzas out of the oven and see the delight in their eyes, I know that this recipe will continue to bring joy and happiness for years to come.

And so, as I sit down at the table with my loved ones to enjoy our festive feast, I offer a silent thank you to Mrs. Jenkins for the gift of the Christmas Eve Pizza Trees. It may just be a simple pizza dish, but to me, it represents so much more – a love of cooking, a spirit of creativity, and a bond that transcends generations. And for that, I am truly grateful.