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Wow, I can't wait to tell you about these festive tree-shaped cinnamon rolls! They've become our number one way to kick off Christmas day with something special. My little ones' eyes always sparkle when they spot these cute trees waiting on the breakfast table. And guess what? They're incredibly easy to whip up, which leaves more time for unwrapping gifts and soaking up those precious holiday moments together.
What Makes These Holiday Delights So Special
There's pure wonder in watching these adorable tree-shaped goodies come out of the oven. That warm, spicy cinnamon smell takes over the house and just feels like Christmas morning. The combo of hot, fluffy rolls and sweet drizzly topping makes for the perfect holiday breakfast. They're so quick to make that I actually get to sit down and enjoy the festivities instead of being stuck cooking all morning.
Only Three Basic Items Needed
- Cinnamon Rolls: A single container of Pillsbury™ Grands!™ Cinnamon Rolls or whatever brand you prefer.
- Icing: The stuff that comes with your cinnamon rolls or homemade cream cheese frosting if you want.
- Sprinkles: Holiday-themed sprinkles to add some Christmas flair.
Crafting Your Holiday Trees
- Get Your Oven Ready
- Turn your oven to 350°F (175°C). Give a baking sheet a quick coat of cooking spray or cover it with parchment paper to make cleanup easier.
- Form the Trees
- Unroll each cinnamon roll completely and fold the dough in zigzags to make a tree shape. Squeeze the ends firmly so they don't come apart while baking.
- Cook Them Up
- Arrange your shaped dough on the prepared pan. Let them bake for 23–27 minutes until they turn a nice golden color. Take them out and let them cool a bit.
- Add Festive Touches
- Drizzle the warm trees with icing and scatter sprinkles on top. Serve them right away for maximum enjoyment!
Storing Any Extras
On the rare chance you don't finish them all which almost never happens at my place make sure they cool down completely first. Put them in a sealed container and try to keep them from stacking on each other. They'll stay good in your fridge for around 3 to 5 days.
Getting Them Warm Again
When you're ready for another taste, wrap the rolls loosely in some aluminum foil and warm them in a 300°F oven for about 5 to 7 minutes. The frosting might get a little runny but honestly that just makes them taste even better.
An Unforgettable Christmas Morning Breakfast
These sweet little trees have really become a treasured part of how we celebrate Christmas. They're easy enough that anyone can help make them, even with sleepy morning eyes, and the kids always jump at the chance to add decorations. I promise these will soon become your family's must-have holiday breakfast too.
Recipe Q&A
- → Why should I press the edges together?
- Pressing keeps the tree shape intact while baking. Skip this step and your dough might pull apart, ruining the tree design.
- → What should I do if my rolls start pulling apart during baking?
- If they're coming apart, just take them out for a moment, push them back together gently, and pop them back in to finish baking.
- → Can I use my own cinnamon roll recipe instead?
- You could, but packaged rolls work better since they're made to stay together when unrolled and shaped differently.
- → Why wait before adding the icing?
- Letting them cool a bit means your icing won't totally melt away but will still spread nicely on the warm buns.
- → Which sprinkles should I pick?
- Any holiday sprinkles will look great, but tiny sprinkles or thin ones spread more evenly than big chunky decorations.