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I gotta tell you about our Christmas morning must-have that makes breakfast so special! These Cinnamon Rolls shaped like Christmas Trees bring pure magic to our holiday table. I stumbled on this idea when looking for something festive but not complicated, and now my kids ask for them every single December. The moment everyone spots these cute little trees, their faces light up with holiday cheer.
Simple Holiday Wonder
What's so great about these treats? They're super easy to put together but look totally festive! They work perfectly for big family gatherings or just a quiet Christmas morning at home. I love that you can grab ready-made rolls from the store to save time, but once you're done, nobody will guess they weren't made from scratch.
Your Shopping List
- The Foundation: A tube of those jumbo Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls, they're just the right size for this project.
- The Topping: The creamy icing packet included with your rolls.
- The Festive Touch: Christmas-themed sprinkles, the green and red ones really make them pop!
Creating Your Trees
- Prep Steps
- Start by heating your oven to 350°F. I always coat my baking sheet with cooking spray or put down some parchment paper to make things easier later!
- Shape Your Trees
- Now for the fun stuff! Crack open your cinnamon roll tube and carefully unwind each roll. Then arrange them into cute Christmas tree patterns on your pan. They don't need to be perfect, that adds to their charm! I sometimes pinch parts of the dough to help keep the shape.
- Into The Oven
- Bake them for around 23-27 minutes. I can't help peeking as they turn all golden and puffy. If they start to spread out too much, you can gently push them back into shape.
- Decoration Time
- Let them cool slightly before adding the sweet icing. This is when my kids jump in to scatter all those colorful sprinkles everywhere!
Storage Tips
Got some extras? That almost never happens 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 completely before you put them away. That way they won't get soggy and will taste great whenever you want another bite of Christmas.
Reheating Tricks
Want to know how I make day-old rolls taste brand new? Put them in a baking dish, loosely wrap some foil on top, and warm them at 300°F for about 5-7 minutes. Yeah, the icing gets a bit melty, but that just makes them taste even better! You'll think they just came out of the oven for the first time.
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Family Cooking Fun
This is definitely one of those treats that gets the whole family into the kitchen! My kids go crazy for unrolling the dough and making their own special trees. And when it's time to add sprinkles? Pure happiness! Seeing them carefully decorate each tree and beam with pride at their creations makes these holiday moments so worthwhile.
Festive Morning Treat
For Christmas morning or a special holiday get-together, these rolls just amp up the festive feeling. I love setting them out while everyone's still wearing jammies, with the house filled with that amazing cinnamon smell. They go so well with some hot chocolate or a warm mug of coffee, making the whole morning feel extra special.
Creating Family Memories
The real magic of these treats? How they become part of your family's Christmas story. In our home, the kids wake up knowing these Christmas tree goodies will be waiting downstairs. The joy on their faces when they spot those cinnamon trees twinkling with colorful sprinkles really captures what the holidays are all about!
Custom Creations
Let me tell you some fun ways we change these up! Sometimes we'll drip different colored frostings over them like they're covered in snow. My daughter can't get enough of adding edible sparkles to make them shine, while my son loves sprinkling crushed candy canes all over. One Christmas we even stuck chocolate chips on them like tiny ornaments and wow, they tasted amazing!
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I switch brands of dough?
- You can, but larger rolls work best. Smaller rolls may shrink the tree and need less time in the oven.
- → Why does my tree come apart while baking?
- Pinch the dough tightly together before baking. If it still separates, gently press it back mid-bake.
- → Can this be made the day before?
- It’s tastiest fresh out of the oven. Reheating can work, but the fresh-baked texture is better.
- → What sprinkles should I use?
- Festive colors like red and green are ideal. Sprinkle while the icing's warm so they stick nicely.
- → How do I know the rolls are done?
- Look for a golden brown color all over. Check the center to make sure it’s fully cooked, not gooey.