If you’re looking for a fun and festive treat to wow your family this holiday season, I absolutely love sharing this Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe with friends. It’s super easy to make, looks adorable, and tastes like classic cinnamon rolls but dressed up for Christmas. Seriously, this recipe turns a simple can of cinnamon rolls into a show-stopping centerpiece that’ll have everyone asking for seconds — and maybe even thirds!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: You only need a few ingredients and minimal prep — perfect for busy holiday mornings.
- Festive Presentation: Shaped like a Christmas tree, these cinnamon rolls add instant holiday cheer to your table.
- Kid-Approved: My family goes crazy for this, and kids love helping decorate with sprinkles.
- Deliciously Soft & Sweet: The cinnamon and sweet icing combo never disappoints, making it a crowd-pleaser every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For this Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe, the secret to simplicity is starting with ready-made cinnamon rolls that bake up soft and gooey, then jazzing them up with some festive touches. When shopping, grab your favorite canned cinnamon rolls and some fun sprinkles to personalize.
- Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls: This is the base that makes everything so easy—fluffy, sweet, and perfectly portioned.
- Icing: Usually included in the can, but feel free to add extra for more sweetness.
- Christmas Sprinkles: These are the magic touch for festive flair—choose your favorite holiday colors or shapes.
Variations
I love to play around with different festive themes and flavors in this Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe. You can easily make it your own by swapping out sprinkles or adding unique fillings. Customizing it makes baking more fun and festive!
- Nutty Variation: I sometimes sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top of the icing for a little crunch and warmth—my family loves the added texture.
- Chocolate Twist: Adding mini chocolate chips to the inside before you roll it out gives the cinnamon rolls an extra dose of indulgence.
- Vegan Option: Use dairy-free cinnamon rolls and icing to make this recipe suitable for vegan friends and family.
- Spiced Up: Try mixing some ground nutmeg or ginger into the cinnamon sugar filling for a cozier, spicier note.
How to Make Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pan
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F. This is a sweet spot for baking cinnamon rolls to golden perfection without drying them out. Spray a baking pan with non-stick spray or line it with parchment paper to make clean-up a breeze—I always go for parchment because it helps keep the rolls nice and soft on the bottom.
Step 2: Shape Your Christmas Tree
Open the can of cinnamon rolls and gently separate the five individual rolls. One by one, unravel each and weave the dough back and forth on your baking pan, shaping it like a Christmas tree. It’s like gentle dough origami! Be sure to pinch the edges together a little so it doesn’t come undone during baking — this trick saved me a few times from a scattered mess in the oven.
Step 3: Bake to Golden Delight
Pop your tree-shaped rolls into the oven for about 23 to 27 minutes. Keep an eye on them as ovens can vary—you’re looking for a golden-brown finish. If they start separating, don’t hesitate to pause baking and gently press the dough back together; I discovered this little tip on my second attempt, and it really helps keep the Christmas tree shape intact.
Step 4: Decorate and Enjoy
Once your cinnamon rolls come out warm and gorgeous, let them cool just a bit so the icing doesn’t slide off. Then generously drizzle the icing on top and sprinkle with your festive sprinkles. I love how the colorful sprinkles turn a delicious brunch treat into a party centerpiece — it’s magical for Christmas morning!
Pro Tips for Making Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
- Dough Handling: Be gentle when unraveling the dough so it doesn’t tear — the softer the dough, the better it’ll keep the tree shape.
- Baking Watch: Check the rolls around 20 minutes to catch any separation and gently press them back together if needed.
- Decorate While Warm: I like to add icing when the rolls are still a little warm so it melts into the nooks and crannies for extra flavor.
- Sprinkle Choice: Use coarse or chunky sprinkles rather than tiny ones to keep the festive look visible after baking.
How to Serve Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Garnishes
I usually stick to classic Christmas-colored sprinkles—reds, greens, and whites—but sometimes I add edible glitter or tiny silver sugar pearls for extra sparkle. Fresh mint leaves on the side make a lovely contrast, too, especially if you’re serving these at a brunch spread.
Side Dishes
These cinnamon rolls pair wonderfully with hot cocoa or a festive spiced latte. I like serving them alongside scrambled eggs or fresh fruit salad to balance the sweetness and keep breakfast feeling complete.
Creative Ways to Present
One year, I placed the cinnamon roll tree on a platter lined with evergreen sprigs and cranberries to enhance the festive vibe. You can also plate individual sliced rolls on small holiday-themed plates with mini candy canes for a charming touch. Trust me, the presentation gets oohs and aahs every time.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (and I mean if—because it’s hard not to eat them all at once), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. I find they stay soft and fresh without refrigeration if you cover them well.
Freezing
I’ve frozen baked cinnamon rolls before by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm gently in the oven. They come out almost as good as fresh, which is a lifesaver for prepping ahead during the holidays.
Reheating
To reheat, pop leftover rolls in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or warm in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes covered with foil to avoid drying out. I like to add a little fresh drizzle of icing after reheating to revive that fresh-baked feeling.
FAQs
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Can I use homemade cinnamon roll dough for this Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe?
Absolutely! While this recipe shines for its convenience using canned rolls, homemade dough works perfectly — just be sure to roll it out and shape gently to keep the tree form intact.
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How do I prevent the cinnamon rolls from spreading too much while baking?
Pinching the edges between the rolls and weaving the dough firmly helps keep the structure together. Also, shaping the tree on a smaller pan can give it more support while baking.
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Can I prepare this Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe the night before?
You sure can! Shape the tree and cover it tightly with plastic wrap, then refrigerate overnight. Let it sit at room temp for about 20 minutes before baking to achieve soft, fluffy rolls.
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What’s the best way to add icing without making a mess?
I like to drizzle the icing slowly using a spoon or piping bag when the rolls are warm but not hot—this helps it pool nicely and stick without sliding too much off the sides.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe has become one of my go-to holiday treats because it’s both festive and foolproof. I remember the first time I made it, how impressed my kids were with the tree shape—and how quickly it vanished! Give it a try this season; I promise you’ll love the smile it brings to your table and the ease it adds to your holiday baking. Happy baking and Merry Christmas!
Print
Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Holiday Treat
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Create a festive and delicious Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls recipe using store-bought cinnamon rolls. This easy-to-make treat is beautifully shaped like a Christmas tree and decorated with icing and colorful sprinkles, perfect for holiday celebrations or a fun winter breakfast.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 can Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls (5 rolls)
- Icing (included in the cinnamon rolls can)
- Christmas Sprinkles, for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it reaches the perfect baking temperature while you prepare the rolls.
- Prepare the Baking Pan: Lightly spray a baking pan with non-stick spray or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Separate the Cinnamon Rolls: Open the can of cinnamon rolls and carefully pull apart the five rolls so they are ready to be shaped.
- Shape the Tree: Unravel each cinnamon roll one at a time and weave them back and forth on the baking pan to create a Christmas tree shape. Be creative with the weaving to resemble branches.
- Secure the Shape: Pinch the overlapping dough gently to hold the tree shape together so it doesn’t unravel during baking. Check after baking; if it starts to separate, remove from the oven briefly and gently press it back together.
- Bake: Place the shaped dough in the preheated oven and bake for 23 to 27 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the cinnamon roll tree from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before decorating, so the icing doesn’t melt too much.
- Decorate: Drizzle the included icing over the cinnamon rolls and sprinkle Christmas-themed sprinkles on top to enhance the festive look and add a bit of crunch.
- Serve and Enjoy: Slice and serve your beautifully festive cinnamon roll tree warm or at room temperature for a perfect holiday treat.
Notes
- Use parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Be gentle when weaving and pinching the rolls to keep the tree shape intact.
- If the dough separates during baking, pause baking and gently reshape it.
- Use colorful Christmas sprinkles to add festive charm.
- Serve warm for the best flavor and texture.
- Can be doubled for a larger group or party.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cinnamon roll shaped portion
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
