Budget Christmas Crescent Trees

Featured in: Asian-Inspired Dishes

These festive crescent roll trees combine flaky dough with a savory blend of mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic, and herbs. Rolled into tree shapes and baked to golden perfection, they're topped with grape tomatoes as vibrant ornaments. Ideal as easy-to-make appetizers or snacks, the buttery herb mixture enhances every bite. Garnish choices and simple ingredient swaps allow for creative variations while keeping preparation quick and enjoyable.

Updated on Tue, 25 Nov 2025 13:12:00 GMT
Golden brown Budget Christmas Crescent Roll Trees, savory and warm from the oven, ready to serve with cheese filling. Save
Golden brown Budget Christmas Crescent Roll Trees, savory and warm from the oven, ready to serve with cheese filling. | gingertaste.com

Festive, flaky crescent rolls shaped into charming Christmas trees, filled with budget-friendly cheese and herbs—perfect for holiday appetizers or snacks.

This recipe has been a favorite for holiday gatherings, bringing festive cheer with every bite.

Ingredients

  • Dough: 2 cans (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent roll dough
  • Filling: 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted, 2 garlic cloves minced, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (or 2 teaspoons dried parsley), 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Decoration: 16 grape tomatoes or small cherry tomatoes (for ornaments), 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional for garnish)

Instructions

Preheat Oven:
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Prepare Butter Mixture:
In a small bowl, combine melted butter minced garlic chopped parsley Italian herbs salt and black pepper.
Prepare Dough:
Unroll crescent dough and separate into triangles.
Apply Mixture and Cheese:
Brush each triangle lightly with the butter-herb mixture. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over each triangle.
Roll Crescents:
Roll up each triangle from wide end to tip to form a crescent.
Arrange Rolls:
Arrange the crescents on the prepared baking sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree create a triangle by starting with one roll at the top then two underneath then three and so on ending with a row of five at the base. Position remaining rolls as the trunk beneath the tree shape.
Bake:
Bake for 13 15 minutes or until golden brown.
Brush:
Remove from oven While warm brush with remaining butter-herb mixture.
Garnish:
Garnish with grape tomatoes as ornaments and sprinkle with additional parsley if desired.
Serve:
Serve warm.
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These crescent roll trees bring the family together every holiday season for a joyful treat.

Required Tools

Baking sheet, parchment paper, pastry brush, mixing bowls

Allergen Information

Contains Wheat (gluten), Milk (dairy), possibly eggs (check crescent roll dough label). Double-check ingredient labels for potential allergens.

Nutritional Information

Per serving calories 185 total fat 10 g carbohydrates 17 g protein 6 g

Flaky, cheese-filled Budget Christmas Crescent Roll Trees, arranged on a baking sheet, with vibrant tomato ornaments. Save
Flaky, cheese-filled Budget Christmas Crescent Roll Trees, arranged on a baking sheet, with vibrant tomato ornaments. | gingertaste.com

Enjoy this festive treat fresh from the oven for the best flavor and texture.

Recipe Questions & Answers

What type of dough is used for the trees?

Refrigerated crescent roll dough provides a flaky, buttery base that’s easy to shape and bake.

Can I substitute the cheeses?

Yes, cheddar or a preferred cheese blend can be used in place of mozzarella and Parmesan for different flavors.

How do the grape tomatoes function in this dish?

They are placed as decorative 'ornaments' on the baked trees, adding color and a fresh bite.

Are there suggested accompaniments?

Serving with marinara sauce is recommended for dipping, enhancing the savory elements.

Is this preparation suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, it’s vegetarian-friendly as it mainly features cheese, herbs, and dough without meat.

Can I add extra ingredients?

Crumbled bacon or cooked spinach can be added for variety and richer flavor.

Budget Christmas Crescent Trees

Flaky crescent rolls filled with cheese and herbs, shaped into charming holiday trees.

Setup duration
15 min
Heat application time
15 min
Complete duration
30 min
Created by Olivia Harper

Classification Asian-Inspired Dishes

Complexity Easy

Heritage American

Output 8 Portions

Nutrition specifications Meat-free

Components

Dough

01 2 cans (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent roll dough

Filling

01 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
02 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
03 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
04 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or 2 teaspoons dried parsley
06 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
07 1/4 teaspoon salt
08 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Decoration

01 16 grape or small cherry tomatoes
02 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Preparation steps

Phase 01

Prepare Oven and Baking Sheet: Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Phase 02

Combine Butter-Herb Mixture: In a small bowl, mix melted butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, dried Italian herbs, salt, and black pepper.

Phase 03

Prepare Dough Triangles: Unroll refrigerated crescent roll dough and separate into individual triangles.

Phase 04

Add Filling to Dough: Brush each dough triangle lightly with the butter-herb mixture and evenly sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.

Phase 05

Form Crescents: Roll up each triangle starting from the wide end toward the tip to form crescents.

Phase 06

Arrange Crescents in Tree Shape: Place the crescent rolls on the prepared baking sheet forming a Christmas tree shape: first row one roll, second row two rolls, progressing to five rolls in the base row. Use remaining rolls to form a trunk beneath the tree.

Phase 07

Bake: Bake in preheated oven for 13 to 15 minutes until golden brown.

Phase 08

Apply Remaining Butter-Herb Mixture: Remove from oven and while still warm, brush crescents with the remaining butter-herb mixture.

Phase 09

Garnish and Serve: Decorate with grape tomatoes as ornaments and sprinkle with additional parsley if desired. Serve warm.

Necessary tools

  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Pastry brush
  • Mixing bowls

Potential allergens

Review each component for potential allergens and seek professional healthcare advice if you're uncertain about ingredients.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), milk (dairy), and possibly eggs. Verify labels for allergens.

Nutrient breakdown (per portion)

These values are provided as estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy Content: 185
  • Fats: 10 g
  • Carbohydrates: 17 g
  • Proteins: 6 g