Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees: A Festive Holiday Treat

Christmas is a time for joy, celebration, and, of course, delicious food! What better way to combine the festive spirit with a delightful treat than by making Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees? This fun and easy recipe is perfect for getting the whole family involved in the kitchen, creating a memorable holiday experience, and impressing your guests with a visually stunning and incredibly tasty dessert. Forget the same old cookies – these cinnamon roll trees are sure to be a new Christmas tradition!

This article will guide you through creating these delightful Christmas trees, providing detailed instructions, helpful tips, and variations to make them your own. Get ready to spread some holiday cheer with these warm, gooey, and beautifully decorated cinnamon rolls!

## Why Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees?

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s explore why Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees are the perfect holiday treat:

* **Festive and Fun:** The Christmas tree shape immediately evokes the holiday spirit, making them a visually appealing and exciting treat for kids and adults alike.
* **Easy to Make:** This recipe is surprisingly simple, even for novice bakers. You can use store-bought cinnamon roll dough to save time, or make your own from scratch for a more personalized touch.
* **Customizable:** The decorating possibilities are endless! From classic cream cheese frosting and sprinkles to more elaborate designs with candy and icing, you can tailor the trees to your preferences.
* **Delicious and Comforting:** Warm, gooey cinnamon rolls are a universally loved treat. The combination of cinnamon, sugar, and frosting creates a comforting and satisfying flavor that’s perfect for a cozy Christmas morning or evening.
* **Great for Sharing:** These Christmas trees are perfect for sharing with family, friends, or bringing to holiday gatherings.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a list of the ingredients you’ll need to make your Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees. We’ve included options for both store-bought and homemade cinnamon roll dough.

**For the Cinnamon Rolls (Store-Bought):**

* 2 (12.4 ounce) cans refrigerated cinnamon roll dough (such as Pillsbury or Annie’s)

**For the Cinnamon Rolls (Homemade):**

* 1 cup warm milk (105-115°F)
* 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
* 1/4 cup granulated sugar
* 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 large egg
* 3 1/4 – 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

**For the Filling (Homemade):**

* 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
* 1/2 cup granulated sugar
* 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
* 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

**For the Frosting:**

* 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
* 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened
* 2 cups powdered sugar
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2-3 tablespoons milk (or more, to reach desired consistency)

**For Decoration:**

* Green food coloring (gel or liquid)
* Sprinkles (various colors and shapes)
* Star-shaped candy or sprinkle for the top of the tree
* Optional: Red and green M&Ms, edible glitter, icing pens

## Equipment You’ll Need

* Baking sheet
* Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
* Mixing bowls
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Rolling pin (if making homemade dough)
* Pizza cutter or sharp knife
* Pastry bag or zip-top bag
* Spatula

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Now, let’s get started! Follow these detailed instructions to create your own Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees.

**Step 1: Prepare the Dough (Store-Bought or Homemade)**

* **Store-Bought:** Preheat your oven according to the package instructions on the cinnamon roll dough. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Open the cans of cinnamon roll dough and set aside the icing that comes with them. If using store-bought, you can skip directly to the shaping step.
* **Homemade:**
1. In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in warm milk. Let it stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy. This indicates that the yeast is active.
2. Add the melted butter, salt, and egg to the yeast mixture. Mix well.
3. Gradually add the flour, one cup at a time, mixing until a soft dough forms. You may not need all the flour.
4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning to coat all sides. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.

**Step 2: Make the Filling (If Making Homemade Dough)**

* While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. In a medium bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon until well combined.

**Step 3: Assemble the Cinnamon Rolls (If Making Homemade Dough)**

* Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down to release the air.
* Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll it into a large rectangle, about 12×18 inches.
* Spread the cinnamon-sugar filling evenly over the dough.
* Starting from one long side, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seam to seal.

**Step 4: Shape the Christmas Trees**

* Whether you’re using store-bought or homemade dough, this step is the same.
* Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice the cinnamon roll dough into varying thicknesses. You will need slices that are wider for the bottom of the tree and thinner for the top. Aim for slices ranging from about 1 inch to 3 inches in thickness. If using store-bought dough, simply unroll each cinnamon roll and re-roll it a bit tighter before slicing to help maintain the shape.
* Arrange the cinnamon roll slices on the prepared baking sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree. Start with the widest slice at the bottom, then gradually decrease the size of the slices as you move up to the top. Leave a small space between each slice to allow for expansion during baking.
* For the tree trunk, you can use a small piece of cinnamon roll dough or a rectangle of cookie dough.

**Step 5: Bake the Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees**

* Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). If you used store-bought dough, follow the package instructions for temperature and baking time, but generally, it will be close to 375F.
* Bake for 12-18 minutes, or until the cinnamon rolls are golden brown and cooked through. If the tops are browning too quickly, you can loosely cover them with foil.
* Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cinnamon rolls cool slightly before frosting.

**Step 6: Prepare the Frosting**

* While the cinnamon rolls are cooling, prepare the frosting. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
* Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing until well combined.
* Add the vanilla extract and milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. The frosting should be smooth and easily spreadable.

**Step 7: Decorate the Christmas Trees**

* Divide the frosting into two bowls. Leave one bowl of frosting white, and add green food coloring to the other bowl to create green frosting.
* Place the green frosting into a pastry bag fitted with a small round tip (or use a zip-top bag with a corner snipped off).
* Drizzle the green frosting over the cinnamon roll Christmas trees, creating a garland effect. You can also pipe small dots or stars of green frosting for added decoration.
* Use the white frosting to add snow-like details or to create a base for the sprinkles.
* Immediately sprinkle the Christmas trees with various colored sprinkles, festive candies, or edible glitter.
* Place a star-shaped candy or sprinkle at the top of each tree.

**Step 8: Serve and Enjoy!**

* Let the frosting set for a few minutes before serving. These Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees are best enjoyed warm and fresh.
* Serve them as a festive breakfast, a delightful dessert, or a special treat for any holiday gathering.

## Tips and Variations

Here are some tips and variations to help you customize your Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees:

* **Make-Ahead:** You can prepare the cinnamon roll dough (either store-bought or homemade) the night before. Simply assemble the trees on the baking sheet, cover them tightly with plastic wrap, and store them in the refrigerator overnight. Bake them in the morning as directed.
* **Different Frosting Flavors:** Experiment with different frosting flavors, such as maple, chocolate, or peppermint. You can add extracts or flavorings to the cream cheese frosting to create unique and delicious variations.
* **Nutty Cinnamon Rolls:** Add chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, to the cinnamon-sugar filling for a nutty twist.
* **Caramel Drizzle:** Drizzle warm caramel sauce over the finished cinnamon roll Christmas trees for an extra touch of indulgence.
* **Fruit Decorations:** Use fresh or dried fruit, such as cranberries or cherries, to decorate the trees for a more natural and colorful look.
* **Icing Pens:** Use icing pens in various colors to draw intricate designs on the trees, such as ornaments, snowflakes, or holiday greetings.
* **Mini Christmas Trees:** Make smaller, individual Christmas trees by using smaller cinnamon roll slices. These are perfect for kids or for portion control.
* **Gluten-Free Option:** Use gluten-free cinnamon roll dough or adapt a gluten-free cinnamon roll recipe to make these trees gluten-free.
* **Vegan Option:** Use vegan cinnamon roll dough, vegan butter, and vegan cream cheese frosting to make these trees vegan-friendly.
* **Add Orange Zest:** Add orange zest to the dough or the filling for a bright, citrusy flavor that complements the cinnamon.
* **Espresso Powder:** Add a teaspoon of espresso powder to the filling for a richer, more complex flavor.

## Troubleshooting

Here are some common issues you might encounter and how to solve them:

* **Cinnamon rolls are browning too quickly:** Loosely cover the baking sheet with foil during the last few minutes of baking.
* **Cinnamon rolls are not cooking through:** Make sure your oven is properly preheated and that you are baking the rolls for the correct amount of time. If necessary, increase the baking time by a few minutes.
* **Frosting is too thick:** Add a little more milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
* **Frosting is too thin:** Add a little more powdered sugar, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
* **Dough is too sticky:** Add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time, while kneading.
* **Dough is not rising:** Make sure your yeast is active and that you are letting the dough rise in a warm place.

## Serving Suggestions

These Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees are a versatile treat that can be enjoyed in various ways:

* **Christmas Morning Breakfast:** Start your Christmas morning with these warm and festive cinnamon rolls. They’re a delicious and satisfying way to celebrate the holiday.
* **Holiday Dessert:** Serve them as a dessert at your Christmas dinner or holiday party. They’re sure to impress your guests with their festive appearance and delicious flavor.
* **Gift Giving:** Package them in a festive box or container and give them as a homemade gift to friends, family, or neighbors.
* **Cookie Exchange:** Bring them to a cookie exchange party for a unique and memorable contribution.
* **Afternoon Treat:** Enjoy them with a cup of coffee or tea on a cozy winter afternoon.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate)

Nutritional information will vary depending on the specific ingredients and quantities used. However, here is a general estimate per serving:

* Calories: 300-400
* Fat: 15-20g
* Saturated Fat: 8-12g
* Cholesterol: 40-60mg
* Sodium: 200-300mg
* Carbohydrates: 40-50g
* Sugar: 25-35g
* Protein: 4-6g

## Conclusion

Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees are a fun, festive, and delicious way to celebrate the holidays. Whether you use store-bought dough or make your own from scratch, this recipe is easy to customize and sure to impress. Gather your family and friends, get creative with the decorations, and enjoy the warm, gooey goodness of these delightful Christmas treats. Happy baking, and Merry Christmas!

This recipe brings together the joy of baking with the festive spirit of Christmas. Each bite is a reminder of the warmth and love that fill our homes during this special time of year. So, preheat your oven, gather your ingredients, and let the aroma of cinnamon fill your kitchen as you create these enchanting Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees. They’re more than just a treat; they’re a memory in the making.

Baking these trees is also a great way to bond with loved ones. Children especially will enjoy helping to decorate the trees with sprinkles, candies, and colorful frosting. It’s a chance to share stories, laugh together, and create lasting traditions that will be cherished for years to come.

The versatility of this recipe also means that you can adapt it to suit your dietary needs and preferences. Whether you’re looking for a gluten-free, vegan, or simply a healthier option, there are plenty of ways to modify the ingredients and still create a delicious and festive treat.

As you serve these Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees, remember that they are a symbol of the joy, generosity, and togetherness that define the holiday season. Share them with those you love, and let the sweetness of the cinnamon and frosting spread a little extra cheer this Christmas.

So, go ahead, embrace the magic of the season and create these delightful Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees. They’re a sweet and memorable way to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year!

Enjoy the process of creating these treats. Remember, the imperfections are what make them unique and special. The most important ingredient is love, so pour your heart into it and watch as these Cinnamon Roll Christmas Trees bring smiles to everyone’s faces. This is a recipe that is not just for Christmas morning, but can be for any Christmas party or a special occasion with friends and family. With the help of this detailed instruction guide, you and your children can enjoy this recipe for many holidays in the future.