If you’re looking for a festive, fun, and utterly delicious treat this holiday season, then you’ve got to try my Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe. It’s a playful twist on classic cinnamon rolls that turns your morning into a merry celebration. I absolutely love how these rolls come together to form a charming Christmas tree shape — perfect for sharing with family or surprising guests at your brunch table. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through every step so your rolls look as great as they taste!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive and Fun: Turns ordinary cinnamon rolls into a delightful Christmas tree that’s sure to wow your family and friends.
- Super Easy: Uses store-bought dough, cutting down prep time without sacrificing flavor or freshness.
- Perfect for Sharing: Makes about five rolls, ideal for a small gathering or cozy breakfast with loved ones.
- Customizable: You can add your favorite sprinkles and icing to make it uniquely yours.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps things super straightforward with just a few ingredients that work beautifully together. The secret is using Pillsbury Grands! cinnamon rolls—they’re fluffy and sweet, perfect for shaping and baking into that iconic Christmas tree. Adding sprinkles is optional, but it definitely ups the festive factor.
- Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls: These pre-made rolls save time and come with yummy cinnamon filling baked right in.
- Icing: Usually included in the can, but feel free to add a little extra or switch to cream cheese frosting for richness.
- Christmas Sprinkles: Adds a pop of color and holiday cheer—I love picking out bright reds and greens.
Variations
I like to switch things up with this Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe depending on the mood, and you absolutely should too! It’s so easy to make it your own by adding mix-ins or switching toppings. Here are some ideas from my kitchen that might inspire you.
- Nutty Upgrade: I sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on the icing for a delicious crunch that my family goes crazy for.
- Fruit Infusion: Fresh cranberries or chopped dried cherries mixed into the cinnamon swirl add a pop of tartness and color.
- Vegan Twist: Use a dairy-free cinnamon roll dough and swap the icing for a simple glaze made with powdered sugar and almond milk—I’ve tried it and it’s just as tasty!
- Extra Festive: Add edible gold dust or star-shaped sprinkles to really make your tree shine during the holidays.
How to Make Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Pan
Start by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s perfectly heated when the rolls go in. I always spray my pan with non-stick spray, but parchment paper is a great option to avoid sticking and make clean-up a breeze. Having this ready gives you a stress-free start.
Step 2: Unroll the Cinnamon Rolls and Create Your Tree
Open the can of Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls and gently pull apart each of the 5 rolls. This is my favorite part—unravel them one by one and start weaving them back and forth onto the baking pan. The aim is to form a Christmas tree shape with those lovely cinnamon layers on display. Don’t worry about perfection; pinch the edges together a bit to keep the “branches” from peeling apart as they bake. When I first tried this, the dough started to separate in spots, so I learned to gently push it back together if needed.
Step 3: Bake to Golden Perfection
Pop your Christmas tree cinnamon roll creation in the oven and bake for 23 to 27 minutes until beautifully golden and puffed up. Keep an eye on it starting around minute 20—if you see any areas pulling apart, just take it out briefly and nudge everything back together. This keeps the tree looking intact and perfectly shaped.
Step 4: Cool, Ice, and Decorate
Let your masterpiece cool for a bit—about 5 to 10 minutes is enough so the icing doesn’t melt straight off. Then drizzle or spread the included icing all over the tree and sprinkle on your festive Christmas sprinkles. This finishing touch is what really turns these rolls into a holiday showstopper!
Pro Tips for Making Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
- Handle Dough Gently: When unrolling the cinnamon rolls, be careful to keep the dough intact to avoid cracking and separation.
- Weave with Purpose: Weaving the strips tightly and pinching edges keeps the shape during baking, a trick I discovered after my first attempt fell apart in the oven.
- Watch the Bake Time: Ovens vary, so start checking around 20 minutes to avoid burning or drying out your rolls.
- Cool Before Icing: Letting the rolls cool slightly prevents your icing from melting and running off, making your Christmas tree look beautifully decorated.
How to Serve Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Garnishes
I’m a big fan of classic colorful Christmas sprinkles because they add a fun pop of holiday spirit. Sometimes I mix in mini edible pearls for a touch of elegance or even a drizzle of melted white chocolate if I want to dress it up for a special brunch. Trust me, the kids especially love when the sprinkles come out!
Side Dishes
I like pairing these cinnamon rolls with a side of fresh fruit—think orange slices or berries—to balance the sweetness. If you’re serving breakfast or brunch, a cup of hot coffee or a creamy latte is the perfect companion. And since it’s the holidays, a glass of warm spiced cider never hurts.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday parties, I like to place the Christmas tree rolls on a festive platter lined with pine sprigs or holly leaves (fake, of course!). Another idea is serving individual portions with little toothpick flags that say “Merry Christmas” or “Enjoy!”, which always gets people smiling. You can also twinkle some tiny, battery-operated fairy lights around the platter to make your cinnamon roll tree the centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers — and that’s often the case because they’re so good — I recommend storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If your kitchen’s warm, pop them in the fridge. I wrap mine tightly in plastic wrap to keep them soft and fresh.
Freezing
I’ve frozen unbaked woven cinnamon roll trees by assembling them and wrapping tightly in plastic wrap and foil. When I’m ready, I thaw them overnight in the fridge, then bake as usual. Frozen baked rolls reheat well too—just be sure to wrap them before freezing to lock in moisture.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop leftover cinnamon rolls in the microwave for about 20 seconds or warm them in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes. This refreshes the texture without drying them out. If you want the icing to be melty, add it after reheating rather than before.
FAQs
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Can I use any cinnamon rolls for the Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe?
You can use other refrigerated cinnamon roll brands, but Pillsbury Grands! tends to hold up best when unrolled and shaped due to their texture and cinnamon swirl. If substituting, look for rolls with a sturdy dough for easy weaving.
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How many cinnamon rolls does the Christmas tree shape use?
This recipe uses five cinnamon rolls, unrolled and carefully woven together to form the shape of a Christmas tree. It’s enough to serve about five people without leftovers.
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Can I make the Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the tree the night before and refrigerate it covered. The next morning, bake it fresh for that perfect warm, fluffy result that everyone will rave about.
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What’s the best way to prevent the rolls from separating during baking?
Weave the dough tightly and pinch the edges where different layers meet. If you notice separation mid-bake, carefully take the pan out and nudge the sections back together. This little step saved my first batch from looking messy!
Final Thoughts
There’s something genuinely magical about this Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe—it brings a cozy, festive vibe that’s easy to achieve but looks like you went all out. I love making these with my family because it feels like a little holiday tradition, and honestly, the smiles around the table are worth every minute spent shaping and baking. I can’t wait for you to try this yourself and see how it lights up your kitchen this season. Trust me, once you make these rolls, they’ll be a holiday favorite in your home too!
Print
Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 23-27 minutes
- Total Time: 33-37 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Create a festive and delicious Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls centerpiece using classic Pillsbury Grands! cinnamon rolls. Perfect for holiday brunch or a fun seasonal treat, this recipe transforms traditional cinnamon rolls into a visually stunning holiday tree adorned with icing and sprinkles.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 can Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls (5 rolls)
- Icing (included in the cinnamon roll can)
- Christmas Sprinkles, for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the cinnamon rolls.
- Prepare Baking Pan: Spray a baking pan with non-stick spray or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Separate Cinnamon Rolls: Open the cinnamon roll can and carefully pull apart the 5 individual rolls.
- Shape the Tree: Unravel each cinnamon roll one at a time and weave the dough back and forth on the baking pan, shaping it into a Christmas tree form.
- Secure the Tree: Gently pinch the dough in areas where it might come apart to ensure the shape holds during baking.
- Adjust if Needed: While baking, if the tree starts to separate, carefully remove it from the oven and gently press the dough back together.
- Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 23-27 minutes or until the cinnamon rolls are golden brown.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the tree from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes before decorating.
- Decorate: Drizzle the included icing over the cinnamon rolls and sprinkle with Christmas sprinkles to add festive flair.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve warm and enjoy your delicious holiday cinnamon roll tree!
Notes
- Make sure to pinch the edges well so the rolls hold their tree shape during baking.
- You can substitute Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls with your favorite cinnamon roll dough if preferred.
- For extra flavor, sprinkle some cinnamon or colored sugar before baking.
- Let the rolls cool slightly before icing to avoid melting the decorations.
- Use a spatula to carefully lift the tree from the pan if you want to transfer it to a serving platter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cinnamon roll shaped segment
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
