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Let me share my favorite Christmas morning tradition that brings so much joy to our holiday breakfast! These Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls are such a magical way to start the day. I discovered this idea when I wanted something special but easy for Christmas morning and now my family begs for them every year. The way they look like little Christmas trees just brings instant smiles to everyone's faces.
Easy Holiday Magic
You know what makes these so perfect? They're incredibly simple to make but look absolutely festive! Whether you're hosting a big Christmas breakfast or just want to make a cozy family morning extra special these fit the bill. I love that you can use store-bought rolls to save time but they still feel completely homemade once you're done.
What You'll Need
- The Base: One can of those big Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls they work perfectly for this.
- The Sweet Finish: That yummy icing that comes with the rolls.
- The Magic Touch: Your favorite Christmas sprinkles red and green make it extra festive!
Let's Make Some Magic
- Get Ready
- First things first warm up your oven to 350°F. I always spray my pan with non-stick spray or line it with parchment it makes cleanup so much easier!
- Create Your Trees
- Here's the fun part! Open your rolls and gently unroll each one. Then start weaving them into cute tree shapes on your pan. Don't worry if they're not perfect that's part of their charm! I give the dough a little pinch here and there to help it hold its shape.
- Baking Time
- Pop them in the oven for about 23-27 minutes. I love peeking through the oven door watching them turn golden brown. If they start spreading just give them a gentle nudge back together.
- The Pretty Part
- Let them cool just a bit then spread on that sweet icing. This is where the kids love to help sprinkle on all those festive decorations!
Keeping Them Fresh
Have leftovers? Though that rarely happens at my house! Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge they'll stay good for 3-5 days. Just make sure they're completely cool before you seal them up. That way they stay fresh and perfect for whenever you want a little holiday treat.
Warming Them Up
Want to know my secret for making leftover rolls taste fresh-baked? Place them in a baking pan cover them loosely with foil and warm them up at 300°F for about 5-7 minutes. Sure the icing might get a little melty but trust me that just makes them even more delicious! It's like having fresh-from-the-oven rolls all over again.
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A Kid's Kitchen Adventure
This is one of those recipes that gets everyone excited to help in the kitchen! My little ones love unrolling the dough and shaping their own trees. And decorating time? Pure joy! Watching them carefully place each sprinkle and seeing their proud faces when they create their own Christmas tree it's what holiday memories are made of.
Perfect Holiday Breakfast
Whether it's Christmas morning or a special holiday brunch these rolls just make everything feel more festive. I love setting them out while everyone's still in their pajamas the whole house smelling like cinnamon and warmth. They're perfect with a cup of hot cocoa or coffee making the morning feel extra cozy.
Starting A Sweet Tradition
You know what makes these rolls extra special? How they become part of your family's holiday story. In our house the kids wake up knowing these magical Christmas trees are waiting in the kitchen. The way their faces light up when they see those cinnamon trees sparkling with sprinkles it's what the holidays are all about!
Make Them Your Own
Let me share some fun ways to switch these up! Sometimes we'll drizzle different colored frosting over them like falling snow. My daughter loves adding edible glitter to make them sparkle and my son's favorite is crushing candy canes on top. One year we even used chocolate chips as little ornaments it was absolutely delicious!
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use different brands of cinnamon rolls?
- Yes, but stick to the large size rolls. Regular size rolls will make a smaller tree and may need less baking time.
- → Why is my tree separating while baking?
- Make sure to pinch the dough together well before baking. If it starts separating, briefly remove from oven and gently push back together.
- → Can I make this ahead of time?
- Best served warm and fresh. You can reheat briefly in the oven, but the texture is best when freshly baked.
- → What type of sprinkles work best?
- Any holiday sprinkles work, but green and red are most festive. Add them while icing is still warm so they stick.
- → How do I know when it's done baking?
- The tree should be golden brown and cooked through. Check the center to ensure it's not doughy before removing from oven.