1 pound refrigerated pizza dough, at room temperature
8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
10 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed completely dry
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure the dough does not stick and to make cleanup easier. Ensure your spinach is very dry by squeezing it in a clean kitchen towel, as any excess moisture can make the dough soggy.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, squeezed spinach, shredded mozzarella, grated parmesan, minced garlic, dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Use a sturdy spoon or spatula to mix everything until the ingredients are well incorporated and the mixture is smooth and creamy.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into a large rectangle. Use a pizza cutter or a sharp knife to cut the dough into two large, identical triangles. You can use the scraps of dough later to create a small trunk for the tree or even a star for the top.
Place one dough triangle onto the prepared baking sheet. Spread the spinach and cheese mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Place the second dough triangle directly on top of the filling. Use a knife to cut horizontal slits about one inch apart along both sides of the triangle, leaving the center column intact. Twist each strip of dough twice to create the tree branches, showing off the green filling inside.
Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly. Once removed from the oven, immediately brush the warm bread with melted butter. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve warm while the cheese is still stretchy.
