Okay, let’s be real - Christmas morning is magical and chaotic. Between the gift unwrapping frenzy, the sugar-high squeals, and trying to remember if you actually bought batteries for that toy (spoiler: probably not), breakfast needs to be quick, easy, and adorably festive. Enter: these Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls!
I absolutely love this recipe because it’s one of those “last-minute but looks planned” miracles. You just grab a can of cinnamon rolls (yep, the ones that pop like a confetti cannon and make you jump every time), unroll ’em, do a little zig-zag magic, and boom - edible Christmas trees! Add a swoosh of green icing and some jolly sprinkles, and suddenly you’re Martha Stewart in five minutes flat.
This is also a super fun recipe to get the kiddos involved with. They’ll love decorating their little cinnamon tree masterpieces with icing and sprinkles - just maybe set a ground rule about not eating all the decorations before they hit the rolls (spoken from experience!)
Ingredients:
- 1 can of cinnamon roll dough with icing (you need the kind that unrolls)
- Green food coloring
- Holiday sprinkles (the more festive, the better!)
You’ll Also Need:
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Small bowl
- Spoon or butter knife
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Pop open that can of cinnamon rolls (take a deep breath, you’ve got this!) and unroll each one.
Now, shape each unrolled strip into a Christmas tree by zig-zagging it back and forth, squishing it gently together top to bottom to hold the form. Place it on the baking sheet.
Bake for 7-8 minutes until golden brown and smelling like sweet holiday dreams.
Let the cinnamon rolls cool completely (this is the hardest part - resist the urge to sneak one!)
In a small bowl, mix the icing from the can with 1-2 drops of green food coloring until it’s a bright, jolly green.
Spread the green icing over each cinnamon roll tree and top with sprinkles like you’re decorating a real tree!
Tips & Tricks:
- Want to add “ornaments”? Try mini M&Ms, silver dragees, or little star-shaped candies!
- You can totally swap in homemade cinnamon roll dough if you're feeling ambitious (look at you, fancy baker!).
- No green food coloring? You can leave the icing white and call it a “snowy tree.” Instant North Pole vibes!
Whether you serve these before the gift frenzy begins or later as a sweet treat with cocoa, they’ll totally steal the show on your holiday table. And honestly, if you don’t Instagram them… did it even happen?
Here are some more great recipes you might love:
- Peppermint Swirl Christmas Cupcakes (with Candy Cane Crunch!)
- Old-Fashioned Rocky Road Christmas Cups (Just Like Grandma Made!)
- Super Simple Christmas Cake Mix Cookie Bars
