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Our Christmas morning wouldn't be the same without this fun breakfast treat! These cinnamon rolls twisted into Christmas trees always make our holiday breakfast feel extra special. I stumbled on this idea when I was looking for something festive but not complicated, and now my kids ask for them every December. The moment everyone sees these little trees, they can't help but smile.
Simple Holiday Wonder
The best thing about these treats? They look fancy but they're super easy to make! They're perfect for big family gatherings or just a quiet Christmas morning at home. I love that we can use ready-made rolls to cut down on time but they still turn out looking like we spent hours in the kitchen.
Your Shopping List
- The Foundation: A tube of Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls which are just the right size for this project.
- The Topping: The packet of icing that comes inside the roll container.
- The Festive Touch: Your go-to Christmas sprinkles in green and red colors for that holiday look!
Let's Create Something Special
- Prep Work
- Start by heating your oven to 350°F. I always give my baking sheet a quick coat of cooking spray or pop down some parchment paper to make things easier later!
- Shape Your Trees
- Now for the fun bit! Crack open your cinnamon roll tube and carefully unwind each roll. Then arrange them in tree patterns on your baking sheet. They don't need to be perfect - that's what makes them charming! I sometimes pinch parts of the dough to help them stay in place.
- Into The Oven
- Bake them for around 23-27 minutes. I can't resist watching them turn a beautiful golden color through the oven window. If they start to lose their shape, you can gently push them back together.
- Decoration Time
- After they've cooled slightly, drizzle that yummy icing on top. My children always fight over who gets to shower them with colorful sprinkles!
Storage Tips
Got some extra rolls? That's rare in my house! Store them in a sealed container in your fridge and they'll stay tasty for 3-5 days. Just wait until they're totally cool before putting them away. This keeps them nice and fresh whenever you want another little Christmas snack.
Bringing Back The Freshness
Want to know my trick for making day-old rolls taste amazing again? Put them in a baking dish, loosely wrap some foil over the top, and warm them in the oven at 300°F for about 5-7 minutes. Yes, the icing gets a bit runny but honestly that makes them taste even better! They'll seem like they just came out of the oven for the first time.
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Family Kitchen Fun
This is exactly the kind of cooking that gets everyone involved! My kids love to unroll the dough and make their own unique trees. And when it's time to add decorations? Pure happiness! Seeing them carefully add each little sprinkle and the pride on their faces when they finish their Christmas tree creation makes the whole holiday brighter.
Festive Morning Meal
These rolls really bring the holiday spirit whether it's Christmas morning or a special December brunch. I love serving them while we're all still in our PJs with the whole house filled with that amazing cinnamon smell. They go perfectly with some hot chocolate or a mug of coffee, making everything feel warm and cozy.
Creating Family Memories
The real magic of these treats? They become part of your family's Christmas story. In our home, the kids jump out of bed knowing these sparkly cinnamon trees are waiting in the kitchen. When they spot those sprinkle-covered treats for the first time, their excitement is what makes the holidays truly special!
Put Your Own Spin On It
Here are some fun ways we've changed these up over the years! Sometimes we'll add different colored frosting drizzled across them like snow falling. My daughter can't get enough of the edible glitter sprinkles while my son loves putting crushed peppermint on top. One Christmas we even stuck chocolate chips all over them as tiny ornaments and they tasted amazing!
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Common Questions
- → Will other cinnamon roll brands work for this?
- Absolutely, just go for jumbo-sized rolls. Smaller ones work too but will create a tinier tree and might bake faster.
- → My tree keeps falling apart during baking, why?
- Press the dough pieces firmly together before baking. If they start pulling apart, take the pan out and gently push them back in place.
- → Can I prepare this the night before?
- It's tastiest when fresh and warm. You can warm it up later, but nothing beats the texture right after baking.
- → What sprinkles should I use?
- Any holiday-themed sprinkles work great, though red and green look most Christmas-y. Sprinkle them on while the icing's still sticky.
- → How can I tell when it's fully baked?
- Look for a nice golden-brown color all over. Poke the middle part to make sure it's not still raw before you take it out.