Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

If you’re looking to impress with a sweet, festive treat that’s both easy and utterly adorable, you’re in the right place. This Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is a total game-changer during the holidays. Whether you’re whipping this up for a lazy weekend breakfast or a fun family gathering, these cinnamon rolls shaped like a Christmas tree will bring smiles and warm hugs all around. Plus, the recipe is super simple — perfect if you want festive baking without the usual fuss!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

I love how this recipe keeps things simple — all you really need are classic cinnamon rolls and a few fun touches to make it feel special. Using store-bought cinnamon rolls helps you skip a ton of prep time, but you still get that fresh-from-the-oven goodness everyone craves.

• Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls: Their dough is soft and easy to work with, making the weaving and shaping a breeze.
• Icing: I usually use the one that comes in the can but feel free to add your own cream cheese icing for extra richness.
• Christmas Sprinkles: This is your chance to get creative — little red, green, and white sprinkles add festive cheer and texture.

Variations

I’m all about making recipes your own, especially this Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe. You can switch up toppings or try different shapes — the dough is forgiving enough to let you get creative without stress.

• Chocolate Chip Twist: I once sprinkled mini chocolate chips inside before weaving for a melty surprise that my kids couldn’t get enough of.
• Gluten-Free Version: If you’d rather make it from scratch, using a gluten-free dough can work, but the store-bought Pillsbury version shines for ease.
• Extra Spice: Adding a pinch of nutmeg or cloves to the cinnamon mixture gives it a deeper holiday flavor — trust me, it’s worth it.
• Healthy Spin: Swap out sprinkles for crushed nuts or dried cranberries for a festive but less-sugary finish.

How to Make Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Get Your Oven Ready and Prep the Pan

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it heats, spray your baking pan with non-stick spray or line it with parchment paper — either works great to keep those cinnamon rolls from sticking while they bake to perfection.

Step 2: Open, Separate, and Unroll Your Cinnamon Rolls

Pop open your can of Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls — I love this part because it feels like Christmas morning already! Carefully pull apart the 5 rolls and gently unravel each one. The key here is to be gentle so you don’t tear the dough as you reshape it.

Step 3: Shape the Tree

This is the fun part — lay the unrolled strips back and forth on the pan like weaving branches on a Christmas tree. I like to start with a wide base and taper it up to a pointy top, pinching the layers lightly so they stick together but aren’t squashed. If some pieces try to pop apart while baking, just pop it out and gently nudge them back in place.

Step 4: Bake Until Golden Brown

Bake the shaped tree for 23-27 minutes. I keep a close eye around the 23-minute mark because ovens vary, and you want that golden brown color without over-baking. When it smells like heaven and your kitchen fills with cinnamon goodness, it’s ready!

Step 5: Cool Slightly, Then Frost and Decorate

Once out of the oven, let your Christmas tree cinnamon rolls rest for a few minutes so the icing doesn’t melt away completely. Then, drizzle the icing across the top and sprinkle on colorful Christmas sprinkles. This step is where it really transforms into a holiday centerpiece.

How to Serve Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Garnishes

I usually stick with classic Christmas sprinkles to keep that festive vibe strong, but sometimes I like adding crushed peppermint candies or a few chopped nuts for a little crunch. Don’t be shy to get creative with edible glitter or colored sugar to make it sparkle on the table!

Side Dishes

These cinnamon rolls shine on their own, but if you want to build a bigger brunch spread, I love pairing them with fresh fruit salad, creamy scrambled eggs, or even a cup of steaming hot cocoa or coffee to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

One holiday, I arranged some evergreen sprigs and cranberries around the edge of the baking dish for extra flair before serving—simple touches like that make the rolls feel like the star of the table. You could also serve individual slices on cute holiday plates dotted with a dusting of powdered sugar snow.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If you want to keep them soft longer, pop them in the fridge and bring back to room temp before reheating.

Freezing

I’ve frozen the shaped rolls before baking by wrapping the pan tightly with plastic wrap and foil. When you’re ready, let them thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as usual. It’s a lifesaver if you want to prep ahead for holiday guests.

Reheating

To reheat leftovers, I pop individual rolls in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or warm the whole batch in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes. This keeps them soft and warm without drying out.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I can’t tell you how many times this Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Recipe has saved me during hectic holiday mornings — it’s quick, festive, and feels homemade without hours of effort. Everyone always asks for seconds, and it’s such a joy to share a warm, gooey cinnamon treat shaped like a Christmas tree. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become your go-to holiday breakfast. So go ahead, grab that can of cinnamon rolls, and make some magic happen in your kitchen this season!

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