Cinnamon Christmas Trees are the perfect festive treat for the holiday season, combining the convenience of store-bought dough with a creative, fun shape. These easy-to-make trees are perfect for busy mornings, holiday brunches, or baking with kids. In just a few simple steps, you can transform a tube of cinnamon rolls into an eye-catching, delicious treat that’s bound to impress.
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Cinnamon Christmas Trees: A Simple Yet Festive Treat
Cinnamon rolls are a classic holiday breakfast, but traditional homemade versions require a lot of time and effort. That’s where store-bought dough comes in handy. With just a tube of refrigerated cinnamon roll dough, you can create adorable cinnamon Christmas trees that look as good as they taste. The key is to give the dough a festive twist—literally!
I first came across this idea on Instagram, shared by blogger Léa Ferezan, and I knew I had to try it. It’s an ideal solution for those who want a quick, creative treat but don’t have the energy or time for lengthy baking sessions. Whether you’re prepping for a holiday brunch, a Christmas morning breakfast, or need a simple baking activity for kids, these cinnamon Christmas trees are the answer.
How to Make Cinnamon Christmas Trees
To make these festive trees, begin by unrolling the cinnamon rolls and arranging them into a triangle shape. Weave each roll back and forth, extending the horizontal lines from top to bottom. Leave a little extra dough at the bottom to form the trunk of the tree. Once your tree shape is ready, bake according to the package instructions.
After baking, drizzle the included icing over the trees and top them with Christmas sprinkles. The entire process took me less than 30 minutes from start to finish, which is perfect for busy holiday mornings when you want to enjoy fresh, homemade treats without the long prep time.
Tips for Making Perfect Cinnamon Christmas Trees
- Press the Dough Together: To ensure the dough sections stay intact, press each part firmly together. You can use toothpicks to secure the shape, but I found that mine held up just fine without them.
- Leave Room for Expansion: Be sure to space the trees out on your baking sheet to allow for the dough to rise. I managed to fit five trees on a 9 x 13-inch sheet with ample space.
- Fixing Separated Sections: If the dough starts to separate while baking, take the trees out of the oven and gently press them back together.
- Get Creative with Icing: To make the trees look even more festive, add green food coloring to the icing or swap out the included frosting for homemade cream cheese frosting for a tangy twist.
- Decorate with Holiday Cheer: While I kept it simple with sprinkles, you can add your own festive decorations, like icing garlands, mini M&Ms as ornaments, or even top each tree with a candy star.