Pull-Apart Christmas Tree Recipe

Ingredients:

Dough:

1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast

3 tablespoons lukewarm milk

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup plain yogurt

1 egg

1 teaspoon salt

freshly ground black pepper to taste

Filling:

5 slices mortadella

1 (7 ounce) container fresh ricotta cheese, well drained

1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

1 egg yolk

1 tablespoon milk

Instructions:

Dissolve yeast in warm milk in a bowl. Let stand until yeast softens and forms a creamy foam, about 5 minutes.

Combine yeast mixture with flour and Parmesan cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment; mix well. Add yogurt and egg and slowly mix together. Add salt and pepper; mix until dough has pulled together. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky, about 10 minutes.

Place dough in a large, lightly-oiled bowl and turn to coat. Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 2 hours.

Punch dough down and turn onto a lightly floured surface. Roll out into a 20x4-inch rectangle. Mix ricotta cheese and Parmesan cheese together in a bowl and spread onto the dough. Cover with mortadella slices. Roll dough tightly lengthwise and press edges of log tightly together.

Slice dough log into 3/4-inch slices so you have at least 16 rounds.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay dough rounds in the shape of a Christmas tree, leaving a a bit of room in between since they will rise. The bottom row should consist of 5 rounds, the second row 4 rounds, etc. Place the last round on the bottom as the trunk. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise for 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Beat egg yolk with 1 tablespoon milk in a small bowl and brush onto dough rounds.

Bake in the preheated oven until puffed up and golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool before serving.