Cinnamon Tree Rolls

Featured in Warm bread with golden crust.

Using packaged dough, craft tree-shaped rolls by unwinding and re-twisting them, finishing with icing and festive sprinkles.
alicia in the kitchen
Updated on Mon, 12 May 2025 10:58:00 GMT
A pile of cinnamon rolls shaped like festive trees, drizzled with frosting and sprinkled with red and green decorations on a white plate. Pin it
A pile of cinnamon rolls shaped like festive trees, drizzled with frosting and sprinkled with red and green decorations on a white plate. | tasteofsavor.com

Oh my goodness, I can't wait to tell you about these Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls! They've become our family's must-have breakfast tradition every December 25th. You should see how my little ones' eyes widen when these cute trees appear on our holiday table. What I love most? They're incredibly easy to whip up, leaving plenty of time for gift unwrapping and soaking up those precious family moments.

What Makes These A Holiday Treasure

There's pure magic in the moment these adorable tree-shaped goodies come out from the oven. That warm cinnamon aroma fills every corner of your home, bringing the Christmas spirit alive. I adore how the hot, fluffy rolls blend with sweet frosting to make the ultimate festive bite. They're so quick to throw together that I actually get to sit down and enjoy Christmas morning rather than being stuck cooking for hours.

Only Three Items Needed

  • Cinnamon Rolls: 1 can of your preferred brand or Pillsbury™ Grands!™ Cinnamon Rolls.
  • Icing: The packet that comes with your rolls or make your own cream cheese frosting.
  • Sprinkles: Holiday-themed sprinkles for the festive touch.

Crafting Your Festive Trees

Warm Up Your Oven
Get your oven running at 350°F (175°C). Give your baking sheet a quick coat of cooking spray or line it with parchment for easier cleanup later.
Form The Trees
Take each roll and carefully unwind it. Then zigzag the dough back and forth to create a tree pattern. Squeeze the ends firmly so they won't come apart while baking.
Pop Them In
Arrange your shaped dough trees on your prepared pan. Let them bake for 23–27 minutes until they turn a nice golden color. Take them out and let them cool just a bit.
Add The Fun Stuff
Drizzle your warm trees with icing and scatter sprinkles on top. Serve them right away for maximum yumminess!

Keeping Extra Treats

Should you end up with leftovers (though that almost never happens at our place), wait till they're totally cool. Then tuck them into a sealed container, making sure to lay them flat in one layer. They'll stay good in your refrigerator for around 3 to 5 days.

Getting Them Hot Again

When you're craving another one, just wrap your roll loosely in some aluminum foil and warm it in your oven at 300°F for about 5 to 7 minutes. The frosting might run a little, but between us, that makes them taste even better.

An Unforgettable Holiday Breakfast

These sweet little trees have grown into such an important part of how we celebrate Christmas. They're easy enough that anyone can make them, even before coffee kicks in, and the kids always jump at the chance to add sprinkles. Once you try them, I'm sure they'll become your family's new favorite Christmas morning tradition too.

A festive cinnamon roll shaped like a Christmas tree, topped with white icing and colorful sprinkles, sits on a plate surrounded by holiday decorations. Pin it
A festive cinnamon roll shaped like a Christmas tree, topped with white icing and colorful sprinkles, sits on a plate surrounded by holiday decorations. | tasteofsavor.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why should the dough edges be pinched?
Pressing the edges keeps the tree’s form during baking. Skipping this step might cause the dough to spread apart.
→ What to do if the dough opens while baking?
Pause baking, quickly adjust the dough by nudging it back together, then pop it back in the oven.
→ Can homemade dough be used instead?
Sure, but pre-made cinnamon rolls are designed to hold their shape when twisted into patterns.
→ Why wait a bit before putting on icing?
Letting them cool slightly stops the icing from completely running off, but keeps it soft enough to spread.
→ Which sprinkles should I choose?
Any holiday sprinkles work great, but smaller ones like nonpareils spread more evenly without clumping.

Cinnamon Tree Rolls

Turn ready-made cinnamon rolls into Christmas tree-shaped treats. Twist the dough into trees, then decorate with icing and colorful sprinkles.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
23 Minutes
Total Time
33 Minutes
By: Alicia

Category: Breads

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 5 Servings (5 tree-shaped pieces)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 Christmas-themed sprinkles.
02 Glaze from the cinnamon roll can.
03 1 can of Pillsbury cinnamon rolls.

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven to 350°F. Use parchment or spray the pan to keep things from sticking.

Step 02

Pull apart the rolls. Stretch them out, fold back and forth to make a tree, and pinch to keep it all together.

Step 03

Put in the oven for 23-27 minutes, or until the tops turn golden. If the parts separate, gently push them together partway through.

Step 04

Let them cool a bit before spreading on the icing and adding sprinkles.

Notes

  1. Keep an eye out for gaps while baking.
  2. Make sure they cool fully before adding toppings.

Tools You'll Need

  • Pan for baking.
  • Non-stick parchment sheets.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy.
  • Includes eggs.
  • Made with gluten.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 300
  • Total Fat: 12 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 45 g
  • Protein: 4 g