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  • Hi, I'm Vicky, the founder and content creator at Mess For Less. If you are looking for family-friendly recipes, recipes that kids can make, and play and learning activities for kids, you will find them at Mess For Less. I invite you to learn more about me. Thanks for stopping by!

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    Home » Christmas Recipes and Kids Crafts and Activities

    Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls

    Published: Nov 26, 2018 · Modified: Oct 20, 2022 by Vicky · This post contains affiliate links.

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    Is there anything that smells better than cinnamon rolls baking in an oven? That smell just permeates the house and soon everyone is running to the kitchen to get one. Today I’m going to show you how to take your traditional cinnamon rolls up a notch, and make a quick Christmas morning breakfast. The key word here is quick because who wants to spend all of Christmas morning making breakfast? These Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls are easy to make and kids love to help decorate them. If you are looking for more yummy apple recipes, check out this Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie.

    Christmas Tree Cinnamon Roll on green square plate.
    Jump to:
    • ⭐Why This Recipe Works
    • 🥣Ingredient Notes
    • 📋Step by Step Instructions
    • 👩🏻‍🍳Expert Tips
    • 🤷🏻‍♀️Recipe FAQs
    • 🎄Related Christmas Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    ⭐Why This Recipe Works

    • These make a fun breakfast on Christmas morning.
    • They cook up quickly, so you have more time to enjoy Christmas morning fun with the family.
    • Kids can help to decorate their own cinnamon roll Christmas trees.

    🥣Ingredient Notes

    • Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls - I used Grands Cinnabon cinnamon rolls.
    • Powdered Sugar - To make the extra icing.
    • Green Food Coloring - For making the icing green.
    • Small ball sprinkles - any other Christmas sprinkles will work as well.
    • Candy Star Sprinkle - These are to top the tree.

    📋Step by Step Instructions

    STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Remove the cinnamon roll dough from the tube and unroll each one onto a work surface.

    cinnamon rolls being shaped into trees.

    STEP 2: To form the roll into a Christmas tree shape, zig zag the cinnamon roll back and forth. Start with a longer piece and continue to zig zag smaller as you go up to make the top of the tree.

    STEP 3: Place the trees on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and bake for 13-15 minutes or until they are a nice golden brown color.

    zig zag cinnamon rolls.

    STEP 4: To make extra icing (besides that which comes in the tube with the rolls), mix the powdered sugar and water together in a small bowl.

    making colored icing.

    STEP 5: Add the icing that came in the package with the icing you made, and add 3-4 drops of green food coloring. Mix well.

    making green icing.

    STEP 6: When the cinnamon rolls are done baking and have cooled slightly, spread an even layer of green icing onto each one.

    STEP 7: Then, add some sprinkle ornaments and a star on top. I like using these smaller sprinkles for overall decoration and these larger sugar balls and stars to represent ball ornaments.

    making Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls.
    Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls

    Now they are ready to serve!

    Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls

    👩🏻‍🍳Expert Tips

    Tip 1: You might decide that you want extra icing for these cinnamon rolls, in addition to the one that comes in the can of cinnamon rolls. If you do, you can make the extra icing while the cinnamon rolls are baking.

    Tip 2: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.


    🤷🏻‍♀️Recipe FAQs

    How do you store these cinnamon rolls?

    You can store these for up to 2 days at room temperature or for a week covered with plastic wrap in the fridge.

    Can I just use the icing that came in the tube of cinnamon rolls or do I have to make extra icing?

    You can just use the icing that came with the rolls, but we like a bit more icing here!

    🎄Related Christmas Recipes

    • Angel Ornament Craft
    • Cake Mix Peppermint Cookies
    • Soft Candy Cane Sugar Cookie Recipe
    • Gingerbread Loaf Recipe

    🌟If you try this recipe, leave a star rating below or a review in the comment section. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter to get my latest recipes!

    📖 Recipe

    Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls

    These Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls are easy to make thanks to a supermarket shortcut. Perfect recipe for Christmas morning.
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 7 minutes
    Cook Time: 13 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 273kcal
    Author: Vicky

    Ingredients

    • 1 tube Pillsbury Grands Cinnamon Rolls
    • ¼ Cup Powdered Sugar
    • Green Food Coloring
    • ½ tsp. Water
    • Candy Sprinkles Nonpareils
    • Candy Stars

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
    • Take the cinnamon rolls and unroll each one. Form into a tree shape by zig zagging the cinnamon roll back and forth. Starting with a longer piece and continue to zig zag smaller as you go up.
    • Place on a parchment lined cookie sheet and bake for 13-15 minutes or until bottoms are golden brown.
    • While those are baking, mix the powdered sugar and water together to make extra icing. (This step is optional and only necessary if you want more icing).
    • Add the icing that came in the package with the icing you made and add 3-4 drops of green food coloring. Mix well.
    • Once cinnamon rolls are baked and cooled slightly, spread an even layer of icing on each one.
    • Add the sprinkles (ornaments), a star on top and Enjoy!
    • A fun Christmas morning breakfast!

    Video

    Notes

    • You might decide that you want extra icing for these cinnamon rolls, in addition to the one that comes in the can of cinnamon rolls. If you do, you can make the extra icing while the cinnamon rolls are baking.
    • Line your baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
    • This nutrition information is approximate and was calculated using online calculators. Your nutritional information may vary depending on numerous factors.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 273kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 440mg | Potassium: 1mg | Sugar: 27g | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg
    Try this Recipe! Pin it for Later.Mention @vickycat or tag #messforless!

    Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ellen

      November 27, 2018 at 12:52 pm

      So cute and clever for breakfast during the holidays. Sure to please the whole family!

    2. Pam

      November 27, 2018 at 11:46 am

      5 stars
      Those are incredibly cute! I pinned to make them with my grandkids.

    3. Debra

      November 27, 2018 at 11:17 am

      5 stars
      These are adorable. What a clever use of cinnamon rolls. I love how easy these are. Can't wait to make them with the kids.

    4. Danielle Wolter

      November 27, 2018 at 10:46 am

      5 stars
      What an adorable idea! Love this for xmas brakfast 🙂

    5. Rae

      November 27, 2018 at 11:27 am

      5 stars
      How stinkin' cute are these? I would have loved these as a kid! Such a great idea to use prepared cinnamon rolls in a different method.

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    Hi, I'm Vicky, the founder and content creator at Mess For Less. If you are looking for family-friendly recipes, recipes that kids can make, and play and learning activities for kids, you will find them at Mess For Less. I invite you to learn more about me. Thanks for stopping by!

    Valentine's Day Activities and Recipes

    • Valentine’s Dessert Cheese Ball
    • Valentine's Brownie Cake Pops
    • Valentine's Chocolate Covered Pretzels
    • Valentine Ideas for Kids - Glitter Hearts

    Winter Activities

    • Q-Tip Painted Snowman Craft
    • Winter Shaving Cream Paint
    • Pinecone Snowman Craft
    • Melted Snowman Craft

    Popular Recipes

    • Crack Chicken Casserole
    • Overnight Egg Casserole
    • Toasted Italian Sandwich - Food Fun Friday
    • Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake

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