Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

If you’re looking for a cute, tasty, and easy holiday treat, you’ve got to try this Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe. It’s one of those fun recipes that turns a simple can of cinnamon rolls into a festive centerpiece that everyone—especially the kiddos—goes crazy for. Seriously, once I discovered how fun and straightforward this is, it became a no-brainer for holiday mornings or last-minute parties. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through every step so your cinnamon tree comes out perfect every time!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

I adore how just a few simple ingredients come together to make something so festive and yummy. The Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls bring that classic fluffy, sweet dough with the perfect cinnamon swirl. And topping it off with icing and colorful Christmas sprinkles adds the perfect holiday cheer.

• Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls: This is your base—go for the classic cinnamon rolls with icing included for best results.
• Icing: Usually comes with the cinnamon rolls, but you can add extra for more sweetness and decoration.
• Christmas Sprinkles: Adds festive colors and a fun crunch that makes the rolls pop visually and taste-wise.

Variations

I love making this recipe my own by swapping up sprinkles or drizzling on extra flavors—it’s a blank holiday canvas! Feel free to customize it so it fits your family’s tastes or any dietary needs you might have.

• Use Different Sprinkles: I’ve tried mini chocolate chips and chopped nuts instead of sprinkles for some added texture and flavor, and my family loved it.
• Gluten-Free Twist: If you find a gluten-free cinnamon roll dough, this method works just as well for a festive GF treat.
• Extra Filling: Adding a thin layer of cream cheese or a sprinkle of brown sugar and cinnamon before weaving amps up the cinnamony goodness.
• Vegan Options: You can find vegan cinnamon roll dough alternatives to make this tree friendly for plant-based diets.

How to Make Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Get Your Oven and Pan Ready

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees—this medium heat is key for baking the cinnamon rolls just right without drying them out. Grab a baking pan and either spray it generously with non-stick spray or line it with parchment paper so your cinnamon tree doesn’t stick as it bakes. Trust me, this little step saves you from sticky disasters later!

Step 2: Unroll and Weave the Tree Shape

Pop open your can of cinnamon rolls and gently separate them so you have five rolls ready. Here’s where the fun part comes in: unwind one cinnamon roll at a time and carefully weave the dough back and forth on your pan to form a Christmas tree shape. You’ll want to overlap the strips a bit and pinch the edges together lightly to keep that tree intact during baking. When I first tried this, I was nervous it’d fall apart, but a gentle pinch and careful shaping really make a difference!

Step 3: Bake Until Golden

Pop your tree-shaped dough into the oven and bake for 23 to 27 minutes. Keep an eye on the color—you want that beautiful golden brown that promises soft, fluffy rolls inside with a slight crisp outside. If you see any parts starting to pull apart while baking, don’t panic; just carefully open the oven and nudge the dough back together. It happens sometimes, and it’s easy to fix.

Step 4: Decorate and Enjoy

Once baked, let your cinnamon roll tree cool for a few minutes so the icing won’t just melt away. Then spread the icing generously over the top and sprinkle your Christmas sprinkles all over. This is the moment I get a little extra generous—there’s no such thing as too much sparkle on this festive treat!

How to Serve Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Garnishes

I love sprinkling classic red, green, and white Christmas sprinkles right on the icing—it just screams holiday joy. Sometimes I add a few edible glitter stars or a dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy effect. It’s fun, festive, and really brings the tree to life!

Side Dishes

This cinnamon tree pairs well with warm cups of hot cocoa or coffee for a cozy breakfast. I’ve also served it alongside fresh fruit or a simple scrambled egg casserole when feeding a crowd during holiday brunch—and it’s always a hit.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like placing the cinnamon tree on a wooden board surrounded by fresh pine branches or cranberries to amp up the Christmas vibe. You can also add little star-shaped cookie cutters or edible gold dust to make your display extra special and sparkly!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, wrap leftover rolls tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. They keep well at room temperature for up to two days, but if your kitchen’s warm, I move them to the fridge. I’ve found they stay soft and delicious up to 3 days stored this way.

Freezing

This Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe freezes beautifully! I like to wrap the entire tree tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil, or freeze individual rolls in freezer bags for quick thaw-and-bake treats later. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To warm leftovers, I pop the cinnamon rolls in a 300-degree oven for about 10 minutes or microwave a roll for 20 seconds wrapped in a damp paper towel. Both ways bring back that just-baked softness and gooey icing goodness!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is one of those magical holiday finds that brings joy into the kitchen and onto the table. It’s easy enough for you to whip up on a busy morning but festive and impressive enough to wow your loved ones. Every time I make this, it sparks such happy smiles, and the recipe has become a staple I genuinely look forward to sharing. So go ahead—give it a try and make your holiday mornings a little sweeter and a lot more fun!

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