Homemade Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree: Your Ultimate Festive Holiday Breakfast
The holiday season is a time for cherished traditions, family gatherings, and, of course, delicious food. What better way to kick off a festive Christmas morning than with a warm, gooey, and visually stunning treat? This year, ditch the ordinary and embrace the magic with a delightful **Homemade Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree**. It’s not just a breakfast; it’s a centerpiece, a conversation starter, and a new tradition waiting to happen!
This recipe is proudly sponsored by Red Star Yeast, ensuring light, fluffy, and perfectly risen rolls every time.
For many years, holiday mornings might have meant travel or staying with relatives. But if, like us, you’re finally settling into your own home for the holidays, it’s the perfect opportunity to forge new traditions. While a simple plate of pancakes or scrambled eggs is always lovely, there’s something truly special about a breakfast that embodies the spirit of the season. That’s why cinnamon rolls have always been a favorite in our home. Their warm, sweet aroma instantly fills the kitchen with holiday cheer, and their soft, tender texture is simply irresistible.
This year, I wanted to elevate our beloved cinnamon rolls into something truly spectacular for Christmas morning. Inspired by the countless creative ideas on Pinterest, I set out to create a 100% homemade version of the viral **Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree**. And I’m thrilled to report, it turned out even more fun and delicious than I imagined! This festive arrangement transforms classic cinnamon rolls into an edible work of art, making your holiday breakfast feel extra special without adding extra stress.
Why This Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree Will Be Your New Favorite Holiday Recipe
At its heart, this recipe uses our family’s tried-and-true cinnamon roll recipe – a classic for a reason! These rolls are renowned for their incredibly soft texture, delightful sweetness, and perfectly gooey centers that melt in your mouth. The secret to their consistent fluffiness and light crumb lies in using high-quality Red Star Yeast. Their active dry yeast ensures a reliable rise, making homemade baking a joy rather than a challenge.
While you’re welcome to use your own favorite cinnamon roll recipe to create the festive tree shape, if you’re looking for a reliable, utterly delicious base, you absolutely can’t go wrong with ours. This recipe is designed to produce rolls that are tender, rich, and incredibly flavorful – the perfect foundation for a show-stopping holiday breakfast. The beauty of this **Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree** is that it takes a beloved classic and adds a simple, yet impactful, festive twist, making it ideal for holiday entertaining or a cozy family breakfast.
Creating this tree is surprisingly easy and incredibly rewarding. Imagine the smiles on your family’s faces as they gather around the table to pull apart these warm, fragrant, and beautifully decorated rolls. It’s a truly interactive and memorable way to enjoy a holiday meal together.
How to Assemble Your Stunning Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree
Transforming individual cinnamon rolls into a charming Christmas tree shape is a simple process that adds significant festive flair to your holiday table. Here’s a detailed look at the steps involved, ensuring your tree comes out perfectly every time:
- Prepare the Dough: Begin by preparing your cinnamon roll dough as directed in the recipe card below. This is where the magic of Red Star Yeast truly shines, ensuring your dough is light, airy, and ready for shaping. If you’re using your own recipe, ensure it’s a good, pliable dough suitable for rolling.
- Roll Out and Fill: Once your dough has had its first rise and is gently punched down, roll it out into a large, even rectangle. Then, generously spread it with a decadent mixture of melted butter, fragrant cinnamon, and sweet sugar. This filling is what gives the rolls their signature gooey, spiced center.
- Roll Up and Slice: Carefully roll the dough back up from one long end to form a snug log. Use a sharp knife or unscented dental floss (a trick for perfectly clean cuts!) to slice the log into individual rounds. Aim for uniform slices to ensure even baking and a beautiful tree shape.
- Arrange into a Tree Shape: This is where the fun truly begins! On a lined or generously greased sheet pan, arrange your cinnamon roll rounds into the shape of a Christmas tree. Start with a single roll for the trunk at the bottom, then create rows above it: typically, 4 rolls for the widest bottom row, followed by 3, 2, and finally 1 roll for the top point of the tree. Ensure a little space between each roll for them to expand during rising and baking. Pro Tip: Cinnamon rolls tend to spread quite a bit as they rise and bake. For the best tree shape, especially for the wider base, consider using a rimless baking sheet. If you only have rimmed pans, try flipping one over and baking on the underside. This prevents the rolls from getting “smooshed” against the rim, allowing your Christmas tree to maintain its elegant shape.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Place your assembled tree in a preheated oven and bake until the rolls are beautifully golden brown and thoroughly cooked through. The aroma filling your kitchen will be absolutely divine!
- Cool and Decorate: Allow your cinnamon roll Christmas tree to cool slightly. While still warm, generously drizzle or spread with a creamy frosting. Then, the final festive touch: sprinkle with colorful holiday sprinkles to make it truly sparkle!
Once decorated, your magnificent Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree is ready to be enjoyed! It’s a delightful sight and a delicious start to any holiday celebration.
Serving Your Festive Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree
One of the best parts about this **Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree** is the interactive and joyful way it’s served. Both kids and adults alike will delight in pulling individual rolls directly from the tree! You can serve it straight from the baking pan, preserving its cozy, rustic charm, or, if you prefer a more elegant presentation, carefully slide the entire tree onto a large serving platter. The choice is yours, but the experience will always be memorable.
To complete your ultimate holiday breakfast, pair these sweet, cinnamony rolls with a steaming mug of hot coffee for the adults or a rich, creamy hot chocolate for the younger crowd. For those who enjoy a savory balance, a side of crispy bacon or flavorful sausage makes for a perfectly rounded meal. This combination truly creates a fun, festive, and satisfying breakfast that’s perfectly fit for the holiday season, turning a simple morning meal into a cherished family event.
baking tip: How to Prep Make-Ahead Cinnamon Rolls for a Stress-Free Christmas Morning
The holidays are busy enough without having to wake up at the crack of dawn to get breakfast ready. The fantastic news is that this **Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree** recipe is perfectly suited for make-ahead preparation, allowing you to enjoy a relaxed Christmas morning!
In the Fridge (Overnight Method):
Prepare the dough and shape the cut rolls into your Christmas tree formation on your baking pan as directed in the recipe. Once arranged, cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap. Allow the rolls to rise at room temperature for about 20 minutes to give them a head start, then transfer the entire pan to the refrigerator overnight (for a maximum of about 12 hours). While chilling, the yeast will continue to work slowly, allowing the rolls to proof gradually. The next morning, simply pull the pan out of the fridge and let the rolls rest at room temperature while your oven preheats. This crucial step helps them finish rising and come back to temperature for even baking. Bake as directed; they may need an additional few minutes in the oven due to starting cold, so keep an eye on them until golden brown.
In the Freezer (Long-Term Storage):
Cinnamon rolls are also wonderfully freezer-friendly, offering even more flexibility! To freeze unbaked rolls, prepare and cut the rolls as usual. Place the individual cut rolls (not yet in tree formation) on a parchment-lined sheet pan, ensuring they don’t touch. Freeze them until solid. Once frozen, transfer the individual rolls to a heavy-duty, freezer-safe plastic bag or airtight container. They can be stored in the freezer for several months. When you’re ready to bake, remove the desired number of rolls from the freezer and arrange them into the Christmas tree shape on a lined baking pan. Let them thaw completely at room temperature (this might take several hours) and then allow them to rise until doubled. Once fully thawed and risen, bake as directed. This method is perfect for having fresh-baked rolls ready anytime you crave them!
You can also freeze baked, un-iced cinnamon rolls. After baking, let them cool completely. Double wrap the entire tree or individual rolls tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. They will keep well for several months. To reheat, remove from the freezer, thaw at room temperature, and then warm the foil-wrapped rolls in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through. You can then frost them freshly before serving.
Essential Tools for Crafting This Delicious Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree
Having the right tools can make all the difference in your baking experience, especially when creating something as special as a **Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree**. Here are some helpful items that will ensure your holiday baking is smooth and enjoyable:
- Large Baking Sheet: A good quality baking sheet is crucial for arranging your rolls into the tree shape. A rimless cookie sheet is ideal to prevent squishing the edges as the rolls expand, helping them maintain their perfect Christmas tree form.
- Stand Mixer with Dough Hook: While not strictly essential (you can mix by hand!), a stand mixer greatly simplifies the dough preparation, making the kneading process effortless and efficient.
- Rolling Pin: To achieve that perfectly even rectangle of dough for your cinnamon roll filling.
- Parchment Paper: For lining your baking sheet. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze, ensuring your beautiful tree lifts off the pan easily.
- Sharp Knife or Unscented Dental Floss: For cutting the log of dough into neat, individual cinnamon rolls. Dental floss can provide exceptionally clean cuts without compressing the dough.
- Saucepan: For warming the milk and butter for the dough.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Essential for accurate ingredient measurements, which are key to successful baking.
- Mixing Bowls: For preparing the dough, filling, and frosting.
- Spatula or Off-Set Spatula: For spreading the butter and cinnamon-sugar filling, and for frosting the baked rolls.
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Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree
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Ingredients
Rolls:
- ¾ cup whole milk (185 ml)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (56 grams)
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (300 grams)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (50 grams)
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1 envelope Red Star Active Dry Yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 1 large egg
Filling:
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter (75 grams), melted
- ½ cup packed light or dark brown sugar (105 grams)
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Frosting:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (56 grams), at room temperature
- 2 ounces cream cheese (56 grams), at room temperature
- 2 cups powdered sugar (227 grams), sifted
- 2-3 tablespoons milk or eggnog
- Holiday sprinkles , optional
Instructions
To make the rolls:
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Warm the butter and milk in a saucepan over medium low heat until butter is melted and mixture just starts steaming. Set aside to cool slightly, to 120-130 degrees F.
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In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, or in a large bowl if you plan to mix by hand, add 1 1/2 cups of the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast.
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Add the warm butter mixture and egg and mix to make a wet dough.
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With the mixer running, add remaining flour 1/4 cup at a time until dough mostly clears the bowl but still feels sticky. Knead the dough a few minutes more until smooth and elastic.
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Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
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Gently punch down the dough to release gases and knead to bring back into a ball. Let sit for a few minutes while you get the filling ingredients ready.
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On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a rectangle roughly 12×17 inches. No need to be exact.
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Spread melted butter evenly over the rolled dough. Sprinkle with brown sugar and ground cinnamon.
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Starting with one long end, gently roll up dough into a log. Using a sharp knife or unscented floss, remove ends to make a clean edge and cut into 11 rolls.
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Place on a sheet pan lined with parchment (see Notes) about 1 1/2 – 2 inches apart to make a tree shape: 1 roll on top row, 2 rolls in next row, 3 rolls in next row, 4 rolls in next row, and 1 roll for the trunk at the bottom.
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Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled again, 20-30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
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Bake until cinnamon rolls are golden brown, 22-25 minutes.
To make the frosting:
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In a bowl with an electric mixer, beat the butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and milk or eggnog until smooth and creamy. Add more milk or eggnog if needed to get a spreadable consistency.
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Spread over warm or cooled rolls. Sprinkle with holiday sprinkles if desired.
Notes
- If you have a large rimless cookie sheet pan, that is ideal as the rolls will have more room and tree will keep its shape, but a rimmed sheet pan will work too (it’s what I used).
- To make ahead: shape rolls and place on a sheet pan as directed. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge overnight. The next morning let come to room temperature while oven preheats, then bake as normal.
- Cinnamon rolls are best the day they are baked, but will keep at room temperature for a few days.
Carbohydrates: 59g,
Protein: 5g,
Fat: 17g,
Saturated Fat: 10g,
Cholesterol: 59mg,
Sodium: 248mg,
Potassium: 82mg,
Fiber: 1g,
Sugar: 37g,
Vitamin A: 548IU,
Calcium: 50mg,
Iron: 2mg
Making This Recipe a Holiday Tradition
This **Homemade Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree** is more than just a recipe; it’s an experience waiting to become a cherished holiday tradition. The joy of baking, the delightful aroma that fills your home, and the sheer delight of sharing this festive treat with loved ones makes it truly special. Imagine the eager faces around the table, ready to pull apart their piece of this edible Christmas tree. It’s simple enough for even novice bakers, yet impressive enough to wow any guest.
Whether you’re hosting a grand Christmas brunch or simply enjoying a quiet holiday morning with your immediate family, this recipe promises to add a touch of magic and deliciousness. With the make-ahead options, you can ensure a stress-free morning, allowing you more time to focus on what truly matters during the holidays: creating lasting memories with those you love.
So, this festive season, why not start a new tradition? Gather your ingredients, get your Red Star Yeast ready, and embark on the delightful journey of creating your very own **Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree**. We guarantee it will bring warmth, joy, and plenty of sweet smiles to your holiday celebrations!
Disclosure: This recipe was developed in partnership with Red Star Yeast. Thank you for supporting collaborations with brands I love, which allows me to continue to bring you fresh new content. All opinions are always my own.
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