
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.

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.