Christmas Tree Spinach Dip Breadsticks (Print version)

Cheesy spinach dip tucked between pizza dough, shaped into a Christmas tree, twisted into pull-apart breadsticks, and brushed with garlic butter.

# Ingredients:

For the spinach filling

01 - 12 oz (340 g) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed very dry
02 - 6 oz (170 g) cream cheese, softened
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
05 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
06 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
07 - 1/4 teaspoon chili powder or red pepper flakes
08 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
09 - 1/2 cup (45 g) grated parmesan cheese
10 - 1 cup (115 g) shredded mozzarella cheese

For the breadsticks

11 - 1 tube (13.8 oz or 390 g) refrigerated thin crust pizza dough
12 - 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, for dusting if needed

For the garlic butter

13 - 2 tablespoons (28 g) unsalted butter, melted
14 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
15 - 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Beat the dry spinach with cream cheese, garlic, salt, onion powder, pepper, chili powder, Italian seasoning, parmesan, and mozzarella until thick and evenly combined.
03 - Unroll the pizza dough on parchment and gently roll it into a 10 x 14 inch rectangle. Cut from each bottom corner to the top center to make one large triangle and two smaller triangles.
04 - Move the two smaller triangles to the prepared baking sheet and press their straight edges together to make a second large triangle. Spread the spinach filling evenly over this triangle, then place the first large triangle on top.
05 - Cut 1 inch strips from the center trunk toward the outside edges on both sides, leaving about 1 inch uncut down the middle. Twist each strip into a branch, using smaller twists near the top and fuller twists at the bottom.
06 - Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the top is deep golden and the bottom is cooked through. If the top browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil for the last few minutes.
07 - Stir the melted butter with garlic salt and Italian seasoning. Brush over the hot breadsticks and let rest for 5 minutes before serving warm.

# Good to know:

01 - Squeeze the spinach very dry so the filling stays thick.
02 - Best served warm within 30 minutes of baking.
03 - Let the dough sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before shaping.

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