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Our Christmas morning wouldn't be the same without this sweet treat! I stumbled on these Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls years ago when looking for something both fancy and doable on a busy holiday morning. Now my kids ask for them every December without fail. There's something truly wonderful about biting into pastry shaped like tiny Christmas trees - it puts smiles on faces right away!
Simple Holiday Wonder
The beauty of these treats? They're super easy but look totally impressive! They work for everything from big family gatherings to quiet Christmas mornings at home. I love that we can grab ready-made rolls from the store but transform them into something that feels completely homemade and special.
Your Shopping List
- The Foundation: A single container of Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls - they're the perfect size for this project.
- The Topping: The container's included icing works great.
- The Festive Touch: Christmas sprinkles in green and red colors to make everything pop!
Creating Your Trees
- Prep Work
- Start by heating your oven to 350°F. I always give my baking sheet a quick coat of non-stick spray or put down some parchment paper for easy cleanup later!
- Form The Trees
- Now comes the fun bit! Crack open your cinnamon roll can and carefully unroll each piece. Then arrange them in tree patterns on your pan. They don't need to be perfect - that's part of their homemade charm! I sometimes gently squeeze parts of the dough to help it stay in shape.
- Into The Oven
- Bake them for around 23-27 minutes. I can't resist watching them turn that beautiful golden color through the oven window. If they start to spread out too much, just carefully push them back into shape.
- Decoration Station
- After cooling slightly, spread that yummy icing all over. This is when my children love jumping in to shower on all those colorful holiday sprinkles!
Storage Tips
Got extras? 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 make sure they've cooled down completely before putting them away. This way they'll be perfect whenever you want another bite of holiday cheer.
Reheating Trick
Want these treats to taste fresh again the next day? Put them in a baking dish, loosely cover with foil, and warm at 300°F for about 5-7 minutes. Yes, the icing gets a bit melty, but that just makes them taste even better! It's almost like having freshly baked rolls all over again without any extra work.
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Family Cooking Fun
These treats really bring everyone to the kitchen! My kids go crazy for unrolling the dough and making their own unique trees. And when it's time to add decorations? Pure happiness! Seeing their focused faces as they carefully place each tiny sprinkle and then beam with pride at their finished Christmas trees - that's what holidays should be about.
Festive Morning Delight
These rolls just make any holiday gathering better - especially Christmas morning. I love setting them out while everyone's still wandering around in pajamas, the house filled with that amazing cinnamon smell. They go perfectly with some hot chocolate or coffee, making everything feel extra warm and special.
Creating Family Memories
The best thing about these cinnamon trees? They become part of your holiday traditions. In our home, the kids jump out of bed knowing these magical treats await in the kitchen. When they spot those sparkling cinnamon creations covered in colorful sprinkles, their eyes light up in a way that captures the true holiday spirit!
Custom Creations
We've found tons of ways to change these up over the years! Sometimes we'll add streaks of different colored frosting like snow falling. My daughter can't get enough of adding edible sparkles, while my son prefers crushed peppermint candies sprinkled on top. One Christmas we even stuck chocolate chips all over them like tiny ornaments and wow, they tasted amazing!
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use smaller cinnamon rolls?
- Yes, smaller rolls will work but result in a smaller tree. Bake time might need adjusting.
- → Why does my tree fall apart?
- Be sure to press the dough firmly together before baking. Fix gaps by gently pushing them back during baking.
- → Can I prepare it the night before?
- It’s best eaten fresh and warm, but you can reheat in the oven for a quick serve.
- → What sprinkles are good for this?
- Green and red sprinkles look great. Apply them while the icing’s still soft so they stick well.
- → How can I tell when it’s baked?
- It’ll be evenly golden brown. Make sure the center isn’t raw before you take it out.