Easy Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees: A Festive & Fun Holiday Breakfast!

Welcome to a holiday season filled with delicious simplicity! If you’re looking for a delightful way to add festive cheer to your breakfast table without spending hours in the kitchen, you’ve found it. These Easy Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees transform store-bought cinnamon rolls into adorable, edible holiday decorations. With minimal ingredients and maximum holiday spirit, these cinnamon roll trees are perfect for Christmas morning or any special winter day.

Why You’ll Love These Easy Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees

You’ll quickly fall in love with making these festive treats for so many great reasons!

• Quick & Easy: We use convenient store-bought cinnamon rolls, saving you precious holiday time. No fuss, just fun.
• Kid-Friendly: Little hands can help with shaping and decorating, making these Easy Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees a wonderful family activity.
• Festive & Adorable: Their charming Christmas tree shape and colorful sprinkles instantly brighten any holiday breakfast.
• Deliciously Gooey: Every bite offers that classic warm, sweet, cinnamon goodness everyone adores.
• Minimal Cleanup: With parchment paper and pre-made ingredients, your kitchen stays tidier for more holiday enjoyment.

Ingredients

Gather these simple ingredients to create your own adorable Easy Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees:

• 1 tube Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls (5-count)
• 3-5 drops green food coloring
• 5 yellow M&M’s or star-shaped candies
• Assorted Christmas sprinkles

Notes & Substitutions

• Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls: We specifically recommend Pillsbury Grands! because their larger size and dough consistency make them much easier to unroll and shape into distinct tree forms. Other brands might be too small or tear easily.
• Food Coloring: For a vibrant green that truly pops, opt for gel food coloring. It provides a richer color with fewer drops than liquid food coloring.
• Yellow M&M’s: These make perfect tree toppers! If you prefer, small star sprinkles, yellow candy melts, or even a tiny piece of star fruit can work as a delightful alternative.
• Sprinkles: Get creative with your decorations! Nonpareils, jimmies, sugar pearls, or any festive Christmas sprinkle mix will make your cinnamon roll trees sparkle.

Equipment

You won’t need many special tools for this easy recipe. Just grab these kitchen essentials:

• Large baking sheet
• Parchment paper (highly recommended for effortless cleanup and non-stick baking)
• Small mixing bowl
• Spoon or butter knife (for spreading the vibrant green icing)

Instructions

Creating your Easy Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees is simple with these step-by-step directions. Get ready for some festive baking!

1. Preheat Oven & Prep Rolls: Preheat your oven to the temperature specified on the Pillsbury cinnamon roll package. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper; this prevents sticking and ensures easy cleanup. Carefully open the cinnamon roll tube and separate the rolls from the container of icing. Place the icing aside for later.
2. Unroll & Shape: Gently unroll each cinnamon roll dough strip completely. Lay it flat on your clean work surface. Starting at one end, begin forming the base of your tree by coiling the dough into a straight line, approximately 2 to 2.5 inches wide. Then, curve the dough upward, creating progressively smaller rows above the base. Continue shaping and tapering the dough to form a distinct Christmas tree outline, ending in a point at the top. This gentle shaping creates the perfect cinnamon roll tree. Repeat this process for all five rolls, placing each shaped tree onto the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are spaced far enough apart.
3. Bake the Trees: Place the baking sheet into your preheated oven. Bake the cinnamon roll trees according to the Pillsbury package directions, usually 12-15 minutes, until they are golden brown and cooked through. Keep a close eye on them to prevent over-baking. Once done, remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the Easy Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees cool on the sheet for 3-5 minutes. This allows them to set slightly before decorating.
4. Prepare Green Icing: While your cinnamon rolls are baking, take the reserved icing and empty it into a small mixing bowl. Add 3 to 5 drops of green food coloring. Stir well with a spoon until the icing reaches your desired festive green shade. Add more drops if you want a deeper color.
5. Decorate Christmas Trees: While the cinnamon roll trees are still warm, but not piping hot, use a spoon or butter knife to evenly spread the vibrant green icing over the top of each tree. The warmth of the rolls helps the icing spread smoothly. Immediately after icing, generously sprinkle with your assorted Christmas sprinkles. Finish by carefully placing one yellow M&M or star-shaped candy at the very top of each tree to represent a star.
6. Serve & Enjoy: Your beautiful and delicious Easy Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees are ready! Serve them warm and gooey for the ultimate holiday breakfast experience.

Pro Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees

Make your festive creations even more spectacular with these helpful insights.

• Cold Dough is Key: Keep the cinnamon roll dough as cold as possible until you are ready to unroll it. Research suggests that cold dough is firmer and easier to handle and shape without tearing.
• Gentle Unrolling: Unroll each cinnamon roll strip slowly and carefully. The dough can be delicate, so a gentle touch prevents tearing or breaking the long strip, ensuring a smooth shaping process for your Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees.
• Spacing on Baking Sheet: Give each tree ample room on the baking sheet. They will expand slightly during baking, so proper spacing prevents them from sticking together and helps them cook evenly.
• Don’t Overbake: Keep a close watch on your oven. Over-baking can lead to dry, tough rolls. Remove them once they are lightly golden brown, ensuring they remain soft and gooey in the center.
• Warm Icing Application: Spreading the icing while the rolls are still warm helps it melt slightly and create a smooth, glossy finish. The warmth also ensures the sprinkles adhere perfectly before the icing sets.

Serving Suggestions, Storage, and Festive Variations

Elevate your holiday breakfast or adapt these delightful treats for any occasion.

• Serving: These Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees are wonderful on their own, but they also pair beautifully with a warm mug of hot cocoa, a freshly brewed cup of coffee, or a refreshing fruit salad for a balanced breakfast.
• Storage: If you happen to have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and delicious for up to 2 days.
• Reheating: To enjoy that soft, warm texture again, simply pop individual trees into the microwave for 10-15 seconds, or warm them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes until heated through.
• Festive Variations:
  • Different Holidays: Shape the dough into hearts for Valentine’s Day, bats for Halloween, or even pumpkins for Thanksgiving. Get creative with the shapes!
  • Icing Colors: Change the food coloring to match other holiday themes. Red for Valentine’s, orange for Halloween, or blue for Hanukkah.
  • Alternative Decorations: Beyond sprinkles, try mini chocolate chips, edible glitter, finely chopped nuts, or other small candies for unique textures and flavors.

Nutrition Information

Please note that the nutrition information provided below is an estimate. It is based on standard ingredient calculations and may vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients used and exact measurements. This information is intended for general guidance only.

Per Serving (1 Tree)
Calories: 280-320
Total Fat: 10-14g
Saturated Fat: 3-5g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 350-400mg
Total Carbs: 40-45g
Sugars: 20-25g
Protein: 3-5g

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Can I use generic cinnamon rolls? While you can try, Pillsbury Grands! are highly recommended for making Easy Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees. Their larger size and dough texture make them much easier to unroll and shape without tearing, leading to better results.
• Can these be prepared the night before? Yes! You can shape the cinnamon roll trees the night before, place them on the parchment-lined baking sheet, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Bake them fresh in the morning for a warm breakfast.
• How do I keep them from unrolling during baking? Ensure you tuck the very end of the dough strip snugly underneath the tree’s base when shaping. Keeping the dough cold until baking also helps maintain its structure, preventing excessive unrolling.
• Can I use other candies for the star? Absolutely! Small star sprinkles, a tiny piece of yellow fruit leather cut into a star, or even a yellow candy melt would work perfectly as an alternative to M&M’s.
• What kind of sprinkles work best for Christmas trees? Nonpareils, jimmies (long, thin sprinkles), and various holiday-themed sprinkle mixes with green, red, and white colors work wonderfully. They adhere well to the warm icing and add a festive sparkle.

Conclusion

These Easy Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees are truly a holiday game-changer, bringing maximum cheer with minimal effort. They are a delightful way to start Christmas morning or add a touch of festive fun to any winter day. Simple, delicious, and incredibly adorable, these edible trees are sure to become a cherished tradition in your home. Get ready to bake, decorate, and make wonderful holiday memories with every sweet bite!