Tree Cinnamon Rolls

Featured in Sweet Treats Worth the Calories.

Easily turn Pillsbury cinnamon rolls into tree shapes by unrolling and reshaping, then top them with icing and sprinkles. Perfect for holidays!
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Updated on Sat, 19 Apr 2025 00:30:34 GMT
A plate of fun cinnamon rolls shaped like trees, topped with icing and sprinkles in red and green, placed on a holiday-themed table. Pin it
A plate of fun cinnamon rolls shaped like trees, topped with icing and sprinkles in red and green, placed on a holiday-themed table. | cookwithtaste.com

Can't wait to tell you about these Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls! They've become our family's top pick for making Christmas morning feel extra special. My little ones' eyes always pop with joy when these cute trees show up at breakfast. And guess what? They're incredibly easy to make, leaving you more time to unwrap gifts and soak up those precious holiday moments with your loved ones.

What Makes These Holiday Treasures Special

There's real wonder in watching these cute tree-shaped goodies come out of the oven. That warm cinnamon smell fills every corner of your home - it just feels like Christmas. I adore how the soft, warm rolls mix with sweet icing to make the ultimate festive snack. They're so quick to whip up that I actually get to kick back and enjoy family time instead of being stuck cooking all morning.

Only Three Basic Items Needed

  • Sprinkles: Fun Christmas sprinkles for the finishing touch.
  • Icing: The one that comes with your rolls or homemade cream cheese frosting.
  • Cinnamon Rolls: A can of Pillsbury™ Grands!™ Cinnamon Rolls or whatever brand you like.

Crafting Your Festive Trees

Bake
Put the shaped rolls on your ready baking pan. Cook for 23–27 minutes until they turn golden brown. Take them out and let them cool a bit.
Shape the Cinnamon Rolls
Unfold each roll and zigzag the dough to form a tree shape. Squeeze the tips together so they don't come apart while baking.
Preheat the Oven
Get your oven hot at 350°F (175°C). Give a baking pan a quick spray with non-stick stuff or put down some parchment paper for easier cleanup.
Decorate
Smear icing on the warm rolls and add sprinkles on top. Serve them right away and dig in!

Keeping Extras For Tomorrow

Should you end up with leftovers - which almost never happens at my place - wait till they cool down completely. Put them in a sealed container, making sure they don't stack on each other. They'll stay good in your fridge for around 3 to 5 days.

Getting Them Hot Again

When you're craving another one, wrap your rolls loosely in some foil and stick them in a 300°F oven for about 5 to 7 minutes. The icing might get a little runny but that actually makes them taste even better.

A Must-Have Christmas Breakfast Delight

These tiny trees have grown into such an important part of how we celebrate Christmas. They're easy enough that anyone can make them even when half asleep, and kids always jump at the chance to help decorate. Take my word for it - these will soon be your go-to holiday breakfast too.

A festive cinnamon roll shaped like a Christmas tree, topped with white icing and colorful sprinkles, sits on a plate surrounded by holiday decorations. Pin it
A festive cinnamon roll shaped like a Christmas tree, topped with white icing and colorful sprinkles, sits on a plate surrounded by holiday decorations. | cookwithtaste.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why do I need to pinch the dough together?
It helps keep the tree shape intact while baking. Without it, the dough can separate and lose its tree look.
→ What if the dough pulls apart in the oven?
Take it out for a moment, press the pieces back, and pop it back in to finish baking.
→ Can homemade dough work for this?
You can try, but premade rolls are designed to hold their shape better when reshaped.
→ Why should they cool before adding icing?
Cooling a bit keeps the icing from melting completely but still lets it go on smoothly.
→ What sprinkles should I use?
Go for Christmas-themed ones, but small ones like nonpareils and jimmies stick and spread best.

Tree Cinnamon Rolls

Turn basic cinnamon rolls into cute holiday trees by shaping the dough into a tree and adding icing and colorful sprinkles.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
23 Minutes
Total Time
33 Minutes
By: Milly

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 5 Servings (5 trees)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1 pack of Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls.
02 Frosting from the can.
03 Holiday-themed sprinkles.

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven to 350°F. Coat your baking pan with non-stick spray or put down some parchment paper.

Step 02

Split each roll apart. Unroll the dough and fold it back and forth into a tree pattern. Pinch to hold it in place.

Step 03

Pop them in the oven for 23-27 minutes till they turn golden. If any rolls pull apart, gently push them back together.

Step 04

Let them cool a bit. Spread on the frosting and top with sprinkles.

Notes

  1. Keep an eye on them while baking in case they separate.
  2. Don’t add frosting until they’ve cooled down.

Tools You'll Need

  • Baking sheet.
  • Sheet of parchment.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy.
  • Includes eggs.
  • Has gluten.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 300
  • Total Fat: 12 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 45 g
  • Protein: 4 g