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This is an easy to make, kiddo friendly appetizer, perfect for a festive kids lunch or dinner idea or to take to any holiday party!

You could also make it into a wreath shape, candy cane or even a snowman!

Ingredients:

• 8 string cheese mozzarella sticks
• 16 oz can large biscuits, 8 biscuits
• 1 bag mini pepperoni
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan
• 1 cup pizza sauce

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375° degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cut each cheese stick into 4 pieces to make 32 pieces total.
3. Separate biscuit dough into 8 biscuits, then cut each biscuit into 4 pieces to make 32 pieces total.
4. In each biscuit piece add 3-4 mini pepperoni pieces and one piece of cheese stick. Roll into a ball, pressing seams to close.
5. Place the pieces on the baking sheet in the shape of a tree. (* see notes).
6. I took a piece of biscuit and made a star shape for the very top.
7. Mix melted butter, garlic powder and Italian seasoning together and generously brush the tops of the biscuits.
8. Bake at 375 degrees for 16-18 minutes until golden brown on the top.
9. Let cool then transfer to serving platter or board. Sprinkle with Parmesan and fresh parsley and serve with warm pizza sauce.

NOTES: To form the tree, make the bottom row with 7 balls, the row above with 6 balls, then 5,4,3,2,1. Add 2 rows of 2 at the bottom for the “tree trunk” and I used a small piece of dough to make a star shape for the top. Let the bread cool before transferring to serving dish. I moved mine on the parchment paper to the serving board, then slid the paper out from underneath slowly to maintain the tree shape.

VARIATIONS:

• omit the pepperoni
• add different cheese flavors (Colby, pepper jack, etc)
• use pizza dough instead of biscuits- adjust cooking time per pizza dough instructions
• serve with pesto sauce or garlic butter
• make it into a wreath shape, snowman, candy cane- so many possibilities

I hope you’ll come back soon for more easy recipes, holiday decor, home finds and more!