Budget Christmas Crescent Trees

Featured in: Seasonal Comfort Dishes

Discover a simple way to make festive crescent rolls shaped like Christmas trees, filled with a savory blend of mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic, and herbs. This dish comes together quickly by rolling seasoned dough triangles and arranging them in a tree shape before baking until golden. Garnished with grape tomatoes to mimic ornaments, it's a delightful and budget-friendly holiday appetizer that brings charm and flavor to your table. Optional additions like bacon or a cheese swap add versatility.

Updated on Tue, 25 Nov 2025 12:28:00 GMT
Golden-brown Budget Christmas Crescent Roll Trees, savory and cheesy, ready to be enjoyed as a festive appetizer. Save to Pinterest
Golden-brown Budget Christmas Crescent Roll Trees, savory and cheesy, ready to be enjoyed as a festive appetizer. | savoringli.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 quickly became a holiday favorite in my family because it is both delicious and visually appealing.

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

Step 1:
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2:
In a small bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, Italian herbs, salt, and black pepper.
Step 3:
Unroll crescent dough and separate into triangles.
Step 4:
Brush each triangle lightly with the butter-herb mixture. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over each triangle.
Step 5:
Roll up each triangle from wide end to tip to form a crescent.
Step 6:
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.
Step 7:
Bake for 13–15 minutes, or until golden brown.
Step 8:
Remove from oven. While warm, brush with remaining butter-herb mixture.
Step 9:
Garnish with grape tomatoes as ornaments and sprinkle with additional parsley if desired.
Step 10:
Serve warm.
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| savoringli.com

Our family always gathers around the table enjoying these crescent roll trees during the holidays.

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

Calories 185, Total Fat 10 g, Carbohydrates 17 g, Protein 6 g per serving

Warm and flaky, these Budget Christmas Crescent Roll Trees are filled with herbs and cheese, perfect for sharing. Save to Pinterest
Warm and flaky, these Budget Christmas Crescent Roll Trees are filled with herbs and cheese, perfect for sharing. | savoringli.com

This simple yet festive recipe will add charm and flavor to your holiday celebrations.

Recipe Questions & Answers

What dough is best for shaping the crescent trees?

Refrigerated crescent roll dough works perfectly due to its flaky texture and ease of shaping into triangles.

Can I use different cheeses in the filling?

Yes, mozzarella and Parmesan are suggested, but cheddar or any favorite cheese blend can add a unique twist.

How do grape tomatoes enhance the appearance?

Grape tomatoes are placed as ornaments on the baked crescent trees, adding color and a festive touch.

What herbs are included in the filling mixture?

The filling includes fresh parsley, dried Italian herbs, and minced garlic for a flavorful herbal blend.

Are there any suggested additions for variety?

Cooked, crumbled bacon or spinach can be added to the filling for extra flavor and texture variations.

Budget Christmas Crescent Trees

Flaky crescent rolls filled with mozzarella, Parmesan, and herbs, shaped into festive Christmas trees.

Prep Time
15 minutes
Time to Cook
15 minutes
Overall Time
30 minutes
Created by savoringli Lila Anderson


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type American

Makes 8 Serving Size

Diet Details Vegetarian-Friendly

Ingredient List

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 garlic cloves, 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)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 01

Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 02

Mix herb butter: Combine melted butter, minced garlic, parsley, Italian herbs, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.

Step 03

Prepare dough triangles: Unroll crescent dough and separate into individual triangles.

Step 04

Brush dough with herb butter and add cheese: Lightly brush each triangle with the herb butter mixture, then evenly sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan over each piece.

Step 05

Roll the dough: Roll up each triangle from the wide end to the tip, forming crescents.

Step 06

Arrange crescents into tree shape: Place crescents on baking sheet arranged as a Christmas tree: start with one roll at top, then rows of two, three, four, and five rolls, with remaining rolls positioned beneath as the trunk.

Step 07

Bake: Bake for 13 to 15 minutes until golden brown.

Step 08

Brush with remaining herb butter: Remove from oven and brush warm crescents with remaining herb butter mixture.

Step 09

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

Equipment Needed

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

Allergy Info

Review every ingredient for allergens. If unsure, check with a healthcare provider.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), milk (dairy), and possibly eggs depending on crescent dough labeling.

Nutrition Info (per portion)

Serves for general info – not a replacement for professional advice.
  • Calorie Count: 185
  • Fats: 10 g
  • Carbohydrates: 17 g
  • Proteins: 6 g