By Kristen on November 5, 2025

sourdough pull-apart christmas tree dinner rolls

This soft and fluffy sourdough pull-apart Christmas tree bread will be a lovely addition to your holiday table, Christmas charcuterie board, a perfect side dish, or even a Christmas appetizer! Each pull-apart piece is buttery and warm, ideal for dipping in your favorite sauce or enjoying on its own. This recipe is ideal for a quick, same-day dinner roll Christmas platter!

This recipe yields between 16 and 24 rolls, depending on size.

Ways to serve your festive dinner rolls:

Christmas tree cheese bread by topping with parmesan cheese or cheese of choice
Serve with a side of cream cheese and pepper jelly
Serve as a garlic bread with your favorite marinara sauce on the side
Add brown sugar and butter with a brush
Add garlic powder or even a salted or unsalted butter garlic rub

My favorite is garlic butter (creamed or melted butter mixture with finely chopped fresh garlic). Cream (or melt and cool) room-temperature butter, then stir in finely chopped garlic. Brush your mixture onto your dough balls.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup warm milk (or room temperature)
4 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast
1 cup warm water
1 cup sourdough starter (discard)
1/3 cup honey (or sugar)
1 stick of softened butter (room temperature)
5 cups organic, unbleached all-purpose flour (or bread flour)
1 teaspoon salt
Olive oil for greasing

Step-by-step Instructions

Heat your cup of water to 100-110 degrees.
While your water is warming up, pour yeast into the bowl of a stand mixer or medium bowl.
Pour warm water over the yeast and whisk together until bubbly.
Cover the bowl and let it sit for a few minutes to give the yeast time to activate. Warm your milk or have it set aside to come to room temperature.

Using a dough hook, add and gently combine your milk, sourdough discard, flour, honey, butter, and salt.
On a low to medium speed, knead the dough until it comes together well, without sticking to the bottom or sides.
Cover your dough or transfer it to an oiled dish and cover.
Let the dough rise at room temperature, or in a warm place if cold, for 1-2 hours or until doubled.

dough ball - sourdough christmas tree pull-apart dinner rolls

risen dough ball for sourdough pull-apart christmas tree rolls

Transfer your bread dough to a lightly floured surface.
Shape your dough balls.
Move your dough balls to a greased baking dish or prepared baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making the shape of a Christmas tree – leaving a little space for each dough ball to double.

Christmas tree pull-apart dinner roll dough

Cover your rolls and let them rise at room temperature, or in a warm place if cold. They will double before baking.
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
Optional: lightly brush the tops of the rolls with an egg wash (whisking an egg yolk) and lightly brush the top of your rolls.
Bake for 25-30 minutes.
Your rolls will be nice and golden brown when ready.

When your rolls come out of the oven, allow them to cool for a few minutes. Then, gently take a stick of butter or a pastry brush and lightly butter the top of your rolls.

How to Store Your Sourdough Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Dinner Rolls

Store in an airtight container or cover your dish with aluminum foil or plastic wrap.

Also, enjoy our sourdough cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning by preparing them the night before!

Sourdough Pull-Apart Christmas Tree Dinner Rolls

Print Recipe

Prep Time 2 30

Cook Time 30

Total Time 3

Servings 24

Ingredients

1/2 cup warm milk or room temperature
4 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast
1 cup warm water
1 cup sourdough starter discard
1/3 cup honey or sugar
1 stick of softened butter room temperature
5 cups organic unbleached all-purpose flour (or bread flour)
1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Heat your cup of water to 100-110 degrees.
While your water is warming up, pour yeast into the bowl of a stand mixer or medium bowl.
Pour warm water over the yeast and whisk together until bubbly.
Cover the bowl and let it sit for a few minutes to give the yeast time to activate.
Using a dough hook, add and gently combine your milk, sourdough discard, flour, honey, butter, and salt.
On a low/medium speed, knead the dough until it comes together well, not sticking to the bottom or sides.
Cover your dough or transfer it to an oiled dish and cover.
Let the dough rise at room temperature, or in a warm place if cold, for 1-2 hours or until doubled.
Transfer your bread dough to a lightly floured surface.
Shape your dough balls.
Move your dough balls to a greased baking dish or prepared baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making the shape of a Christmas tree – leaving a little space for each dough ball to double.
Cover your rolls and let them rise at room temperature, or in a warm place if cold. They will double before baking.
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
Bake for 25-30 minutes.
Your rolls will be nice and golden brown when ready.
When your rolls come out of the oven, allow them to cool for a few minutes. Then, gently take a stick of butter or a pastry brush and lightly butter the top of your rolls.