New Year Tree Pizza – Recipe & Cooking Instructions

New Year Tree Pizza – Recipe & Cooking Instructions

New Year Tree Pizza is a fun and festive twist on traditional pizza, shaped like a Christmas tree and perfect for New Year’s Eve gatherings. With its cheesy layers, vibrant toppings, and signature tree-like presentation, it brings warmth, flavor, and holiday cheer to your celebration.

This dish is loved for its ease of preparation, creative appearance, and family-friendly ingredients—making it a great activity to enjoy with kids or guests before midnight.

---

Ingredients (Serves 4)

 

For the dough:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tbsp instant yeast

• ½ tsp baking powder

• 1 tbsp sugar

• ¼ cup plain yogurt

• ¼ cup vegetable oil

• Warm water (as needed for kneading)

• 1 tsp salt

For the pizza sauce:

• 1 onion, finely chopped

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 6 ripe tomatoes, diced

• 1 tbsp tomato paste

• Olive oil (as desired)

• Salt, to taste

• Black pepper, to taste

• Dried thyme or oregano (zaatar), to taste

For the topping (filling):

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• 2 small onions, finely chopped

• 3 tbsp sliced black olives

• 3 tbsp diced mixed bell peppers (red, yellow, green)

• Extra zaatar for garnish

---

Method

1. Prepare the dough:
   In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, yeast, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Add yogurt and oil. Gradually pour in warm water and knead until you form a smooth, elastic dough. Cover and let rise for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, until doubled in size.

2. Prepare the sauce:
   Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil over medium heat until softened. Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, pepper, and thyme or oregano. Stir well. Add a splash of water and let the sauce simmer until it thickens slightly. Remove from heat and let cool.

3. Assemble the pizza:
   Roll the dough on a floured surface into a large triangle or a wide oval. Shape the dough like a Christmas tree using a knife or pizza cutter (cutting triangular branches on each side and a trunk at the bottom if desired).

4. First layer:
   Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the dough. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese. Add bell peppers, onion, and olives across the surface decoratively to mimic ornaments.

5. Bake round 1:
   Transfer the pizza onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 15–20 minutes, or until the edges are golden.

6. Final layer:
   Remove the pizza from the oven, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella over the top, and return it to the oven for an additional 5 minutes until melted and bubbly.

7. Finish and serve:
   Once baked, sprinkle the pizza with dried zaatar or fresh herbs. Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut triangular slices that resemble the branches of a Christmas tree.

Serve warm and enjoy the perfect holiday-themed pizza with your family as you welcome the new year with delicious bites and good cheer.