Okay, let me tell you about this fun and festive twist I discovered that instantly made my holiday mornings way more exciting — the Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe. It’s super easy, doesn’t require you to slave away with complicated dough, and the best part? Your family will totally go wild for this cute, shareable cinnamon treat shaped like a Christmas tree. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become your go-to holiday tradition!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: No homemade dough fuss—just a can of cinnamon rolls to shape and bake!
- Festive Fun: The tree shape is a centerpiece on its own, perfect for holiday gatherings.
- Kid-Friendly: Kids love the decorating step with sprinkles and icing galore.
- Deliciously Classic: All the cinnamon-y goodness you expect from rolls, with a seasonal twist.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic here is really in the simplicity. You’re starting with pre-made, fluffy cinnamon rolls that bake up perfectly soft and gooey, then making them your own with a festive shape and colorful sprinkles. Here are the basics and why they work well together:
- Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls: These are my go-to because they’re big, pillowy, and have that classic cinnamon-sugar filling that everyone loves.
- Icing: Comes right in the can, and is sweet, smooth, and the perfect sticky glaze for sprinkles.
- Christmas Sprinkles: Use your favorite holiday-themed ones — the extra color and crunch make these rolls feel extra special.
Variations
I love switching this recipe up depending on how festive or simple I want it to be — plus, there are so many fun ways to personalize it. Don’t be shy to experiment!
- Extra Filling: Sometimes I add a little extra cinnamon-sugar mixture or even chocolate chips when unrolling the dough for an ooey-gooey surprise.
- Dietary Tweaks: Using gluten-free cinnamon rolls or dairy-free icing options works surprisingly well here for friends with dietary needs.
- Seasonal Twists: Swap sprinkles for crushed peppermint or chopped nuts for a different festive texture and flavor.
- Mini Trees: When making for a crowd, I create smaller tree shapes using part of each roll — perfect for passing around as party favors.
How to Make Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). I usually spray my baking pan lightly with non-stick spray to avoid any sticking, but parchment paper works great too—especially if the roll dough has lots of sticky icing ready to drip.
Step 2: Unroll and Shape Your Tree
Pop open the can of cinnamon rolls and separate the five rolls carefully. Take one roll at a time and gently unravel the dough so you get a long strip. This part’s fun and hands-on — take your time weaving each strip back and forth on your pan to build the triangular shape of a Christmas tree. I usually layer the strips so it looks dense and fluffy once baked.
Step 3: Pinch it Together and Bake
Once your tree shape is formed, pinch the dough a little at the edges and folds to keep it from unraveling in the oven. If you notice some parts starting to puff and separate while baking, just carefully pull the pan out and gently press it back together—no worries, it’s easily fixed. Pop it into the oven and bake for about 23 to 27 minutes until the rolls turn golden brown and perfectly soft.
Step 4: Cool, Ice, and Sprinkle
After baking, let the tree cool just enough so the icing doesn’t melt completely but still sticks nicely—about 5 to 10 minutes. Then slather on the canned icing from the rolls (seriously, don’t skip this step, it’s the best part!). Finally, decorate generously with your Christmas sprinkles to bring the tree to life. Now you’re ready to dig in!
Pro Tips for Making Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
- Gentle Unraveling: Be careful when unrolling each cinnamon roll strip so it doesn’t tear; I like using a butter knife to ease it apart when sticky.
- Pinching Is Key: Pinch seams lightly to hold your tree shape—this helps the loaf stay intact while rising and baking.
- Don’t Skip Cooling: Let your baked tree cool a bit before icing or the frosting will just melt off instead of sticking and looking pretty.
- Check Your Oven Early: Every oven heats differently, so start checking around 20 minutes to avoid over-browning.
How to Serve Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping these cinnamon trees not only with classic Christmas sprinkles but also with mini edible silver pearls or a light dusting of powdered sugar to add a snowy effect. Sometimes fresh cranberries around the plate make a great color pop, too.
Side Dishes
Pair these cinnamon rolls with a warm cup of coffee or cocoa for the perfect holiday morning duo. If you’re serving brunch, savory sides like bacon or scrambled eggs balance the sweetness beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I’ve placed the cinnamon tree on a festive platter surrounded by fresh evergreen sprigs to make it look like a real Christmas tree centerpiece. Wrapping small pieces individually in holiday napkins also makes a cute grab-and-go treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually cover leftovers with plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container and store in the fridge. They stay soft and tasty for up to 3 days, but honestly, they rarely last that long in my house!
Freezing
If I want to prep ahead, I freeze the shaped but unbaked cinnamon tree on a parchment-lined tray, then wrap it tightly after it firms up and freeze. When ready, I thaw overnight in the fridge and bake fresh the next day — works perfectly.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop individual slices into the microwave for about 15–20 seconds or warm the whole tree in a 300°F oven for 5–7 minutes. Adding a sprinkle of water before warming helps keep the rolls moist.
FAQs
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Can I use homemade cinnamon roll dough for this Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe?
Absolutely! While the recipe is designed for convenience with pre-made dough, homemade cinnamon roll dough works wonderfully. Just roll it out into strips and weave into a tree shape. Keep in mind baking times may vary slightly depending on your dough thickness.
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How do I prevent the cinnamon rolls from unraveling while baking?
The key is the pinching step—lightly press the dough together where the strips meet without squishing the delicate layers. If you notice separation in the oven, just carefully pull the pan out and gently press the dough back together before continuing to bake.
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Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes! Use vegan cinnamon rolls and a dairy-free icing option to replace the traditional versions. Look for plant-based brands or try making your own icing with powdered sugar and plant milk. The shaping and baking process remains the same.
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What’s the best way to transport this Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe for parties?
I recommend chilling the tree completely after baking and icing, then carefully transferring it to a flat platter or large plate with a lid. You can reinforce the shape gently with toothpicks while transporting if needed, then remove them before serving.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe brings everyone together with its fun shape and irresistible flavor. It’s one of those rare recipes that feels fancy but comes together with almost no effort, perfect for busy mornings when you want to impress without stress. Give it a try this season — I’m pretty sure it’ll become your holiday showstopper, just like it did for me and my family!
Print
Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Festive and fun Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls made with ready-to-bake Pillsbury cinnamon rolls. These easy-to-make treats are shaped into a Christmas tree, baked until golden brown, and decorated with icing and colorful sprinkles for a perfect holiday dessert.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 can Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls (5 rolls)
- Christmas Sprinkles (as desired)
- Icing (included in the cinnamon roll can)
- Non-stick cooking spray or parchment paper (for baking pan)
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 can of cinnamon rolls and pull them apart so that you have five individual rolls.
- Shape the Tree: Unravel each cinnamon roll and weave the dough back and forth on the baking pan, arranging them to form a Christmas tree shape.
- Secure the Shape: Pinch the edges of the tree lightly to help prevent it from unraveling while baking. If it starts to separate while baking, remove it from the oven and gently press it back together.
- Bake: Place the shaped dough in the oven and bake for 23 to 27 minutes, or until the cinnamon rolls are golden brown.
- Cool and Decorate: Remove the rolls from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before adding the included icing and decorating with Christmas sprinkles.
- Serve: Enjoy your festive cinnamon roll Christmas tree warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- If the cinnamon roll dough begins to separate or lose shape during baking, take the pan out briefly and gently pinch the pieces together.
- You can use parchment paper for an easier cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- This recipe yields about 5 servings, perfect for sharing with family or friends.
- Customize the decoration by using different colored sprinkles or edible glitter for extra festive flair.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cinnamon roll tree slice (approximate)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
