Christmas Tree Spinach Feta Bread (Printable Version)

# What You Need:

→ Dough

01 - 500 g all-purpose flour
02 - 1 packet (7 g) instant dry yeast
03 - 1 tsp sugar
04 - 1 tsp salt
05 - 240 ml warm water
06 - 60 ml olive oil

→ Spinach and Feta Filling

07 - 250 g frozen spinach, thawed and well-drained
08 - 200 g feta cheese, crumbled
09 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
10 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
11 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
12 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)

→ Topping

13 - 1 egg, beaten
14 - 2 tbsp sesame seeds or poppy seeds (optional)
15 - 2 tbsp melted butter (optional, for brushing after baking)

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt. Add the warm water and olive oil, mixing until a soft dough forms.
03 - Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5–7 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 45 minutes or until doubled in size.
04 - In a bowl, combine the well-drained spinach, crumbled feta, minced garlic, black pepper, oregano, and parsley. Mix thoroughly.
05 - Punch down the dough and divide into 32 even pieces. Flatten each piece into a small disc.
06 - Place about 1 tsp of filling in the center of each disc. Pinch the edges to seal, forming a ball.
07 - Arrange the filled balls seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet in a Christmas tree shape: start with one ball at the top, then each subsequent row increases by one ball, forming a triangle (e.g., 1, 2, 3... up to 7 balls for the base row). Use any extra balls for the tree trunk at the bottom.
08 - Brush the tops with beaten egg and sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds if desired.
09 - Bake for 22–25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
10 - Remove from oven and brush with melted butter, if desired. Let cool slightly before serving.

# Additional Notes:

01 - For an extra festive touch, dot with halved cherry tomatoes or roasted red pepper pieces before baking.
02 - Use store-bought pizza dough for a shortcut.
03 - Serve with marinara or tzatziki for dipping.