If you love festive treats that are as fun to make as they are delicious, then this Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls with Icing Recipe is going to be a total game changer for your holiday baking. I absolutely love how this recipe turns classic cinnamon rolls into an eye-catching Christmas tree shape that’s perfect for sharing – whether it’s at a family breakfast or a cozy holiday brunch. Trust me, once you see how easy and charming this is, you’ll want to make it every season!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Simple and Quick: You use ready-made cinnamon rolls, so it’s low fuss but still looks homemade and impressive.
- Festive and Fun: The tree shape makes a perfect holiday centerpiece that kids and adults both adore.
- Perfectly Sweet: The icing and sprinkles add that classic cinnamon roll sweetness with a cheerful holiday twist.
- Great for Gifting: Wrap it up, and it’s a thoughtful homemade gift that looks professional but takes minimal effort.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For this Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls with Icing Recipe, I always keep a can of Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls in my pantry around the holidays because they’re so reliable. Plus, the icing that comes with them is perfectly sweet and creamy. Add festive sprinkles and you’re all set!
- Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls: These pre-made cinnamon rolls save a lot of time, and unravel easily to shape.
- Icing: Use the icing from the can for that classic cream cheese-like taste; you can add more if you like things extra sweet.
- Christmas Sprinkles: These make it fun and festive—pick colors that match your holiday decor.
Variations
I love making this recipe my own by swapping up the sprinkles or adding extra cinnamon on top before baking. You can really make this Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls with Icing Recipe your own with just a few small tweaks.
- Gluten-Free Version: I’ve experimented with gluten-free cinnamon rolls from the store, and they work well—just watch the cooking time closely.
- Nutty Twist: Adding chopped pecans or walnuts inside adds a lovely crunch. My family goes crazy for this version.
- Chocolate Drizzle: I’ve drizzled melted chocolate over the finished tree for a richer dessert feel—perfect for chocoholics!
- Fruit Fans: Sprinkle dried cranberries on top before baking for a subtle fruity zing that’s still festive.
How to Make Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls with Icing Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pan
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F. I like to lightly spray my baking pan with non-stick spray or line it with parchment paper. This keeps the cinnamon rolls from sticking but also helps with clean-up—a major win in my book!
Step 2: Shape Your Christmas Tree
Open the can and carefully pull apart the cinnamon rolls. You’ll have 5 total for this recipe. Take one roll at a time and gently unravel it straight enough to weave it back and forth across your baking pan in a zig-zag pattern. This is what gives you that classic Christmas tree look. Pinch the strips together gently so they don’t unravel while baking—that’s the trick I discovered makes the whole tree hold its shape beautifully.
Step 3: Bake Until Golden
Pop the shaped tree in the oven and bake for 23 to 27 minutes until it’s golden brown and smells incredible. Keep an eye on it because sometimes a spot will start to pull apart—if that happens, carefully take it out and use your fingers to press it back together. I usually do a quick peek around the 20-minute mark just to make sure it’s holding tight.
Step 4: Cool, Ice, and Decorate
Once baked, let the tree cool a little so the icing doesn’t melt right off. Dollop the canned icing all over the tree, spreading it softly like snow, and toss on your Christmas sprinkles. I love watching the sprinkles stick in the icing—it just adds that extra festive cheer.
Pro Tips for Making Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls with Icing Recipe
- Use Gentle Hands: When unraveling the cinnamon rolls, work slowly to avoid tearing the dough.
- Keep the Shape Intact: Pinch connecting points firmly before baking and check midway to push any loose ends back together.
- Don’t Rush Cooling: Waiting 5-7 minutes before icing helps it stay in place instead of melting off instantly.
- Experiment With Sprinkles: Try sugar pearls or edible glitter for extra sparkle that impresses guests.
How to Serve Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls with Icing Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple here—just sprinkle on festive red, green, and white Christmas sprinkles. Sometimes I add a few mini edible silver balls to mimic ornaments. Fresh mint leaves on the side add a little greenery and a refreshing contrast to the sweetness.
Side Dishes
This pairs beautifully with a hot cup of spiced apple cider or your favorite holiday coffee. If you’re serving brunch, I like to add scrambled eggs or a savory quiche alongside this to balance the sweet flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
I once set up a cinnamon roll decorating station where everyone added their own icing and sprinkles right at the table. Kids especially loved it. Another time, I baked several small trees and arranged them on a platter around a centerpiece—so cute for holiday parties!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I wrap leftovers tightly in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The rolls stay soft and delicious, just like fresh out of the oven.
Freezing
If I want to prep ahead, I freeze the unbaked, shaped tree on a parchment-lined tray, then transfer it to a freezer bag once solid. When I’m ready, I bake it straight from frozen by adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
To keep that “fresh-baked” feel, I reheat leftover rolls in a 350°F oven for about 7-10 minutes. I like to melt a little extra icing on top after warming for that fresh glaze effect.
FAQs
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Can I make Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls from scratch?
Absolutely! While this recipe uses pre-made cinnamon rolls for convenience, you can make your own dough and then shape it similarly into a Christmas tree pattern. Just be mindful that homemade dough requires rising time and might be a bit trickier to shape neatly.
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What is the best icing for these cinnamon rolls?
The icing that comes in the Pillsbury can is perfect for this recipe—sweet, creamy, and easy to spread. However, cream cheese frosting or a simple powdered sugar glaze also work beautifully if you want to customize the flavor.
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How do I prevent the rolls from falling apart while baking?
This is a common worry! Pinching the edges firmly before baking helps a lot. Also, if you see parts starting to separate in the oven, just carefully pull the pan out and gently press the dough back together—quick thoughts without disrupting baking.
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Can I prepare these rolls the night before?
Yes! You can shape the tree and cover it tightly with plastic wrap, then leave it in the fridge overnight. When you’re ready, bake as directed, but allow a few extra minutes since the dough will be cold.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls with Icing Recipe holds a special place in my holiday heart because it’s effortless and brings everyone together around something sweet and festive. The first time I made it, my kids were absolutely thrilled with the tree shape, and my guests couldn’t stop asking how I did it so easily! I hope you’ll try this recipe out and create your own cozy holiday memories with it. Enjoy every delicious bite and happy holidays!
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Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls with Icing Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Create a festive and fun Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls treat using pre-made cinnamon roll dough. This easy-to-make recipe transforms classic cinnamon rolls into a charming holiday centerpiece, decorated with icing and colorful Christmas sprinkles. Perfect for a seasonal breakfast or dessert that’s sure to delight kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 can Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls (5 rolls)
- Icing (included in the cinnamon roll can)
- Christmas Sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the cinnamon rolls.
- Prepare the baking pan: Spray a pan with non-stick cooking spray or line it with parchment paper to prevent the cinnamon rolls from sticking.
- Separate the rolls: Open the can of cinnamon rolls and pull them apart gently to separate all 5 rolls.
- Shape the Christmas tree: Unravel each cinnamon roll one at a time and weave the dough back and forth on the baking pan, arranging it into a tree shape.
- Secure the shape: Pinch the edges of the dough tree together slightly so it stays intact during baking and won’t unravel.
- Bake the rolls: Place the shaped cinnamon rolls in the preheated oven and bake for 23 to 27 minutes or until they turn golden brown.
- Adjust if necessary: If you notice the dough starting to separate while baking, carefully remove the pan from the oven and push the dough together gently before continuing to bake.
- Cool down: Once baked, take the rolls out of the oven and let them cool slightly to avoid melting the icing too fast.
- Add icing and decoration: Spread the provided icing over the warm cinnamon roll tree and sprinkle generously with Christmas-themed sprinkles for a festive finish.
- Serve and enjoy: Serve the Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls warm as a fun holiday treat to share with family and friends.
Notes
- Use non-stick spray or parchment paper to ensure easy removal from the baking pan.
- Be gentle when weaving the dough to prevent tearing.
- If the dough begins to separate during baking, briefly remove and reshape as needed.
- Allow the rolls to cool slightly before adding icing to avoid it melting too much.
- Feel free to customize the sprinkles to match your holiday decor or preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cinnamon roll tree slice (1/5 of recipe)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 370mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
