Easy & Festive Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree Recipe

Updated on: December 7, 2025

A festive cinnamon roll Christmas tree recipe dessert with green icing, colorful candy ornaments, and sprinkles on a white plate.

Welcome to a world where holiday baking meets effortless charm! This delightful Easy Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees recipe is your ticket to transforming a simple pantry staple into an adorable, edible centerpiece for the festive season. You’ll discover how incredibly simple this cinnamon roll Christmas tree recipe truly is, perfect for creating joyful memories with loved ones. Emphasizing fun, ease, and irresistible festive appeal, it’s the ideal quick holiday treat for busy families and budding bakers alike. Let’s make some holiday magic!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’ll quickly fall in love with these charming cinnamon roll trees, making them a holiday staple for years to come.

Incredibly Simple & Quick: Forget complicated baking projects! These festive treats come together in a flash, perfect for bustling holiday mornings when time is precious.
Uses Store-Bought Cinnamon Rolls: No need for yeast or lengthy proofing; readily available canned cinnamon rolls are your secret shortcut to impressive holiday baking.
Visually Festive & Fun: Each tree is a delightful, edible decoration, bringing instant holiday cheer and a smile to every face at your breakfast or dessert spread.
Kid-Friendly for Decorating: Little ones can enthusiastically help with icing and sprinkles, making this a wonderful, hands-on family activity that builds cherished memories.
Deliciously Soft & Sweet: Enjoy the beloved taste and comforting warmth of classic cinnamon rolls, now with an extra layer of festive whimsy that everyone adores. You’ll cherish the smiles these bring.
Perfect for Holiday Breakfast/Brunch: These Easy Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees are an impressive yet incredibly easy option for a special Christmas morning treat or any festive brunch gathering.

Ingredients

Gather these straightforward items to create your adorable Easy Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees:

1 Tube Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls (with icing): We specifically recommend the Grands! variety for their larger size, which makes shaping them into appealing trees significantly easier and more effective.
3-5 drops Green Gel Food Coloring: Gel coloring is highly recommended because it provides a vibrant, intense green hue without thinning the crucial icing too much, ensuring rich color.
5 Yellow M&M’s or Star Sprinkles: These charming little additions make the perfect “star” topper for your edible Christmas trees, adding a finishing touch of holiday magic.
Assorted Christmas Sprinkles: Choose a delightful mix of festive jimmies, tiny nonpareils, or sparkling sanding sugar in classic holiday colors for beautiful and fun decoration.
Optional: 1 tsp Melted Unsalted Butter: A very light brush of melted butter on your baking sheet or parchment paper helps prevent any potential sticking, ensuring easy removal.
Optional: 1 tbsp Powdered Sugar: For an even richer and thicker glaze consistency, you can mix this with just a tiny bit of milk or water to boost the provided icing.

Notes & Substitutions

Tailor this delightful recipe to your preferences with these handy tips and creative substitutions.

Canned Cinnamon Roll Brands: While Pillsbury Grands! are excellent for their size and ease of shaping, any brand of larger-sized refrigerated cinnamon rolls will certainly work. Opt for bigger rolls for a more substantial tree shape.
Gel vs. Liquid Food Coloring: Gel food coloring offers superior color saturation with minimal liquid, crucial for maintaining the icing’s perfect consistency. If liquid coloring is all you have, add it sparingly, one drop at a time, to avoid a runny glaze.
Alternative Star Toppers: Get wonderfully creative with other charming options like small star-shaped candies, delicate edible glitter stars, or even a tiny piece of fruit leather skillfully cut into a star.
Other Sprinkle Ideas: Explore various decorative elements! Consider silver dragées for an elegant touch, mini chocolate chips for a subtle texture, or crushed peppermints for a refreshing, festive twist.
Add-in Flavor Boosts: Infuse your green icing with extra aromatic flavor by stirring in a pinch of fresh orange zest, a dash of vanilla extract, or even a tiny amount of almond extract for an enhanced, gourmet aroma. These small touches elevate your trees.

Equipment

You’ll only need a few basic kitchen tools to effortlessly bring these charming Easy Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees to life.

Large Baking Sheet: For baking your trees.
Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mat: Ensures non-stick baking and easy cleanup.
Small Mixing Bowl: To color the icing.
Spatula or Butter Knife: For shaping dough and spreading icing.
Cooling Rack: Allows proper air circulation for cooling.

Instructions

Creating your Easy Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees is a straightforward and incredibly fun process with these simple, step-by-step directions.

Preheat Oven & Prep Sheet: Begin by preheating your oven to the specific temperature indicated on the cinnamon roll package, which is typically around 375°F (190°C). Carefully line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. This step ensures non-stick baking and makes cleanup a breeze. If desired, you can lightly grease the parchment with melted butter for extra protection.
Open & Separate Rolls: With precision, open the tube of cinnamon rolls. Gently remove each individual roll from its packaging and carefully separate them. Transfer the small container of pre-made icing that came with the rolls into a small mixing bowl; this delicious icing will be transformed into your festive green glaze later.
Unroll Each Dough Piece: Take one cinnamon roll and, working slowly and meticulously, gently unroll it until it forms a flat, elongated strip of dough. Exercise caution and care to avoid tearing the delicate dough. Repeat this unrolling process for all five cinnamon rolls, preparing them for shaping.
Shape into a Christmas Tree: Now comes the creative part: shaping your cinnamon roll Christmas tree. Begin at one end of a flattened dough strip. Create a wide, stable base for your tree, approximately 2 to 2.5 inches wide, forming a slight curve. Then, gently curve the dough upwards to create the next “branch,” making it slightly shorter than the base below. Continue this systematic process, progressively shortening each upward curving row until you achieve a distinct, pointed top, forming a classic Christmas tree silhouette. Lightly pinch the dough together where sections meet to help maintain its form during baking.
Transfer & Bake: With utmost care, transfer each uniquely shaped cinnamon roll Christmas tree onto your prepared baking sheet. Ensure you leave about 1-2 inches of space between each tree to allow for proper air circulation and expansion during baking. Bake according to the package directions, typically for 12-15 minutes, or until the trees are beautifully golden brown and cooked thoroughly.
Color the Icing: While your delightful trees are baking, turn your attention to the icing. Add 3-5 drops of vibrant green gel food coloring to the reserved icing in the small bowl. Stir vigorously and thoroughly with a spoon or small spatula until the icing is completely uniform and boasts a rich, festive green color. Add more drops incrementally if you desire a deeper, more intense shade.
Remove & Cool Slightly: Once baked to perfection, promptly remove the cinnamon roll trees from the oven. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a crucial 3-5 minutes. This brief cooling period is essential as it helps the icing spread smoothly and set properly without completely melting off the warm, delicate pastry.
Ice the Trees: While the trees are still warm to the touch, but no longer piping hot, use a knife or small spatula to generously and evenly spread the vibrant green icing over the top of each row. Ensure the entire tree shape is coated with the festive glaze, making them look like miniature, delicious evergreens.
Decorate with Sprinkles & Star: Immediately after icing, place one bright yellow M&M or a charming star sprinkle at the very top of each tree, serving as its guiding star. Then, artfully scatter your assorted Christmas sprinkles all over the green icing. The residual warmth of the icing will help the sprinkles adhere beautifully, creating a dazzling display.
Serve & Enjoy: Allow the icing to set for another minute or two, allowing the decorations to firmly adhere. Then, carefully transfer your beautiful, festive Easy Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees to a serving platter. Serve them warm and savor every delightful bite of holiday cheer! They’re truly a festive delight.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Ensure your Easy Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees turn out perfectly every time with these helpful tips and quick troubleshooting solutions.

Unrolling Without Tearing: For optimal pliability, gently allow the entire tube of cinnamon rolls to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before opening. This slight warming makes the dough much more flexible and significantly less prone to tearing during the unrolling process, ensuring smooth strips.
Best Tree Shaping Technique: For a sturdy, visually appealing tree, apply light pressure as you meticulously shape each ascending layer. Ensure that the layers slightly overlap and firmly, yet gently, pinch the ends together. This careful technique helps prevent them from unraveling or losing their charming shape during baking.
Achieving Vibrant Green Icing: Always choose gel food coloring for the most impressive results; it delivers intense, rich color with just a few concentrated drops. Add the coloring gradually, mixing thoroughly after each addition, until you achieve your desired deeply festive shade, avoiding a pastel hue.
Preventing Dough from Sticking: Parchment paper is an absolute game-changer here, providing an excellent non-stick surface. For an extra layer of assurance, a very light spray of non-stick cooking spray directly onto the parchment before placing the shaped trees can further prevent any sticking issues.
Adjusting Baking Time: Ovens can vary significantly, so keep a watchful eye on your trees. If they appear too pale, extend the baking time by a minute or two. Conversely, if they start browning too quickly, lightly tent them with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning.
Dealing with Sticky Dough Hands: Keep a small bowl of all-purpose flour conveniently nearby. Lightly dust your fingertips as necessary while you are shaping the dough. This simple trick effectively prevents the dough from sticking excessively to your hands, making the process much smoother.
Cooling for Best Icing Application: The brief 3-5 minute cool-down period after baking is absolutely crucial. If the trees are too hot, the icing will simply melt into a messy puddle. If they cool too much, the icing won’t spread as smoothly or adhere the sprinkles effectively, compromising the finished look. Follow these for success!

Serving, Storage & Variations

Discover creative ways to enjoy, store, and customize your delightful Easy Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees for every occasion.

Serving Suggestions

Christmas Morning Centerpiece: Present these charming trees as the absolute star of your holiday breakfast or brunch spread; they are sure to draw admiring glances.
Festive Dessert or Party Treat: Serve them at holiday gatherings as an eye-catching, delicious dessert that is both whimsical and incredibly satisfying for all your guests.
Morning Beverage Companion: These festive treats pair wonderfully with a warm cup of coffee, a rich hot cocoa, or a comforting festive herbal tea, enhancing the holiday mood.
Fresh Fruit Pairing: Arrange your cinnamon roll trees artfully on a platter alongside fresh red and green berries, such as strawberries and grapes, for a vibrant and balanced presentation.

Storage Instructions

Room Temperature: Store any leftover decorated trees in a clean, airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to maintain their ideal freshness and soft texture.
Refrigerate for Longer: For extended freshness beyond two days, transfer the trees to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days, keeping them delicious longer.
Reheating Tips: To fully restore their warm, soft texture, microwave individual trees for just 10-15 seconds. Alternatively, warm them in a preheated oven at 250°F (120°C) for 5-7 minutes.
Freezing Baked, Undecorated Trees: You can bake the trees, allow them to cool completely, then freeze them undecorated in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to one month. Thaw at room temperature, then decorate and enjoy.

Recipe Variations

Different Icing Colors: Experiment with festive red or classic white icing for a non-traditional yet equally beautiful look, or even use multiple colors for a truly playful effect.
Chopped Nut Topping: Sprinkle finely chopped pecans, walnuts, or toasted almonds over the green icing for an added layer of delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
Spiced Dough Infusion: Before meticulously shaping, lightly dust the unrolled dough with a pinch of aromatic nutmeg, warm cardamom, or even a blend of pumpkin pie spice for extra warmth and depth.
Mini Tree Delight: For smaller, charmingly bite-sized portions, gently unroll the dough only halfway or carefully cut each strip in half before shaping to create adorable mini trees.
Gluten-Free Option: Look for readily available gluten-free canned cinnamon rolls at your local grocery store to ensure this delightful recipe is accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Candy Cane Crunch: Crush a few festive candy canes and generously sprinkle them over the green icing for a refreshing minty twist, a beautiful shimmer, and an extra holiday flavor dimension. Enjoy customizing your creations!

Nutrition Information

Here’s a general overview of the estimated nutritional content for one of your Easy Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees. Please keep in mind that these are approximations. Actual values can vary significantly depending on the specific brand of cinnamon rolls used, the exact portion sizes, and the types of additional sprinkles or toppings. This information is provided purely for general guidance and understanding.

For detailed and comprehensive nutrition information on various food items, refer to the USDA FoodData Central database.

Nutrient	Per Tree (Estimate)
Calories	270-320 kcal
Total Fat	11-14 g
Saturated Fat	5-7 g
Cholesterol	0-5 mg
Sodium	350-450 mg
Total Carbs	38-48 g
Sugars	22-28 g
Protein	3-5 g

This table is based on an average estimate for one decorated cinnamon roll tree, and not intended as medical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Find quick, concise answers to common questions about making these festive cinnamon roll Christmas trees.

Can I use homemade cinnamon rolls? Absolutely! If you have a cherished homemade cinnamon roll recipe, feel free to use that dough. Just follow the unique shaping and baking instructions as outlined.
Can I make these ahead of time? You can definitely bake the trees a day in advance. For the freshest appearance, store them uniced, then add the vibrant green icing and fun decorations just before serving.
What if I don’t have green food coloring? No problem at all! You can easily use red food coloring for a festive red tree, or simply leave the icing white. White icing with sprinkles creates a beautiful “snowy” effect.
How do I get the perfect tree shape? Don’t stress about achieving absolute perfection; a rustic, handmade look is wonderfully charming! Focus on creating a wider base and gradually shortening the upward-curving rows, pinching lightly to secure them.
Are these only for Christmas? While they are called Easy Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees, you can absolutely adapt the concept for any holiday! Change the icing color and sprinkles to suit different occasions, such as orange for Halloween or lovely pastels for Easter.
Can kids help make them? Yes, this recipe is an incredibly kid-friendly activity! Children can assist with the fun steps of unrolling the dough, carefully shaping the trees, and especially enjoy the creative process of adding icing and sprinkles. It’s a wonderful bonding activity.

Conclusion

This Easy Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees recipe truly is a testament to how simple ingredients can create profoundly magical and memorable holiday moments. You’ve transformed basic store-bought cinnamon rolls into a delightful, festive treat that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends. We sincerely hope this simple, beginner-friendly recipe brings immense joy and deliciousness to your holiday season. Get ready to impress everyone with these charming, edible cinnamon roll Christmas trees! Happy baking and happy holidays!