Pin A festive, zesty pull-apart bread featuring tangy cranberry&jalapeño dip layered between pillowy bread pieces and gooey cheese, perfect for holiday gatherings or game day snacks.
I first made this for a holiday get-together and everyone was instantly hooked. The combination of tart cranberries with a touch of jalapeño heat and creamy cheese makes it totally irresistible.
Ingredients
- Bread: 1 lb (450 g) pizza dough, homemade or store-bought
- Filling: 1 cup (100 g) fresh cranberries, chopped, 2 medium jalapeños, seeded and finely diced, 1/4 cup (30 g) red onion, finely diced, 1/4 cup (15 g) fresh cilantro, chopped, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 tablespoon honey, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened, 1 cup (115 g) shredded mozzarella cheese, 1 cup (115 g) shredded white cheddar cheese
- Topping: 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Dish:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch (23 cm) round baking dish or cast iron skillet.
- Make Salsa:
- In a medium bowl, combine cranberries, jalapeños, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, honey, and salt. Mix and let sit for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Make Cheese Filling:
- In a separate bowl, mix the softened cream cheese until smooth. Fold in half of the mozzarella and cheddar cheeses.
- Prepare Dough:
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into a 12x8-inch (30x20 cm) rectangle. Cut into 24 squares.
- Fill Dough Squares:
- Place a heaping teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture and a spoonful of cranberry-jalapeño salsa in the center of each dough square. Pinch and seal each square to form a ball.
- Arrange and Top:
- Arrange the filled dough balls, seam side down, in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheeses over the top.
- Brush and Bake:
- Brush with melted butter. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Garnish with parsley if desired. Serve warm with extra cranberry-jalapeño salsa on the side.
Pin 
My kids love helping with this bread, especially forming the dough balls. It's become a delicious holiday tradition in our home.
Required Tools
Mixing bowls, baking dish or cast iron skillet, rolling pin, pastry brush, knife and cutting board
Allergen Information
Contains: Wheat (gluten), dairy (cream cheese, mozzarella, cheddar, butter). Check for cross-contamination in store-bought ingredients if allergies are severe.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: Calories 340, Total Fat 16 g, Carbohydrates 37 g, Protein 9 g
Pin This pull-apart bread is guaranteed to wow your guests, bursting with color and flavor in every bite. Don't forget a little extra salsa for dipping!
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → Can I use store-bought pizza dough?
Yes, store-bought pizza dough works well and saves time. Homemade dough offers a fresher flavor but isn't required.
- → How spicy is the pull-apart bread?
The jalapeños provide a mild spice. For more heat, include some seeds or add extra jalapeños as desired.
- → What cheese combinations taste best?
Mixing cream cheese with mozzarella and white cheddar gives a creamy, stretchy texture and rich flavor. You can substitute similar cheeses if needed.
- → Is it possible to prepare ahead?
You can assemble the dough balls in advance and refrigerate until baking. Bake just before serving for freshness.
- → How should leftovers be stored?
Store leftovers wrapped in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven for best texture.
- → Can I make it gluten free?
Use gluten-free pizza or biscuit dough, and double-check all other ingredients for allergens.