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Snack & Appetizers

Christmas Tree Danubio (Savory Pull-Apart Bread)

This savory Danubio shaped like a Christmas tree is an easy stuffed pull-apart bread, perfect for holiday aperitivos and appetizers.
Recipe Christmas Tree Danubio (Savory Pull-Apart Bread)
  • Difficulty Easy
  • Preparation 20 minutes
  • Cooking 25 minutes
  • Servings for 6 people

Today we are bringing you the classic savory Danubio, an Italian pull-apart bread of small stuffed rolls, in a whole new guise: shaped like a Christmas tree. This yeasted bread, very simple to make, is perfect for any Christmas occasion: it can be served as an appetizer at a dinner with friends and family, or as part of the buffet at an aperitivo (or apericena, a hearty aperitivo that stands in for dinner) with friends.

Thanks to its very Christmassy shape, it can also be used as an edible centerpiece, a lovely idea to bring along when friends invite you to dinner.
The Christmas Tree Danubio is a soft, tasty savory bake that is simple to make: you don’t need any pan or cutter, just your hands. And if you have children helping you in the kitchen, they will have a great time arranging the balls of dough to form the little tree.

For the filling of the savory Danubio you can get creative in many ways: provola, mozzarella, ham, speck, Emmental, olive spread, tomato spread… in short, there is no limit, and you can use whatever you like best. A really fun idea is to vary the filling from ball to ball for a surprise effect.

Looking for recipes for your holiday menus? Try the Christmas Tree Place Cards and the Christmas Star Canapés, and don’t miss our Traditional Recipes for an Unforgettable Christmas.

Ingredients for 6 people

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Method

  1. To make the Christmas Tree Danubio, start with the dough: sift the two flours into a large bowl, add the sugar and the packet of yeast and stir the dry ingredients to combine them.
  2. Start kneading by drizzling the water into the dry ingredients: at first you can use the tines of a fork, then continue kneading by hand.
  3. When the dough has almost come together, add the salt and keep kneading for about ten minutes (try not to add any more flour, or your Danubio may turn out less soft).
  4. Now it’s time to work the oil into the dough: the best way is to transfer the dough to a pastry board, spread it out and brush it with the oil a little at a time while you keep kneading. Continue until all the oil is used up: in the end you will have a smooth, soft dough.
  5. Transfer your dough to a bowl, cut a cross into the surface, cover with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel and let it rise for a couple of hours (it should double in volume).
  6. While the Danubio dough is rising, you can make your filling: cut the mozzarella and ham into small pieces and mix them well in a bowl; put them in the fridge while the dough finishes rising.
  7. Once the dough has risen, divide it into 16 balls of 50 g each (be precise here, ideally using a scale) so that your tree comes out as even as possible.
  8. Flatten each ball of dough into a disc (almost a mini pizza), place a spoonful of filling in the center and fold the dough over itself, enclosing the filling and forming a ball. Once each ball is ready, set it aside, making sure to place it seam side down.
  9. Once all the balls are ready, arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in the shape of a Christmas tree (keep the balls slightly apart, though: they will stick together as they rise).
  10. Let rise for another half hour or so in a warm place, covering the little tree with plastic wrap.
  11. Brush the whole surface with the egg beaten with a little milk and bake at 180 °C (350 °F) for 25-30 minutes.
  12. Your Christmas Tree Danubio is finally ready to bring to the table. Finally, remember to download our App with exclusive content and fewer ads!
    Christmas tree danubio stuffed with ham and mozzarella

Variations and Alternatives

Fill your Danubio however you like: speck, fontina, salmon, provola, salami, eggs and so on. All you have to do is find the most unusual pairing and try it out. And for an even tastier, more fun Danubio, you can fill each ball with a different filling.

Tips

Remember not to place the balls too close together: during and after the second rise they will have room to join up.

Storage

The Christmas Tree Danubio should be eaten within 1-2 days of making it.

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