Easy Christmas tree rolls transform refrigerated cinnamon dough into festive tree shapes covered in green icing and sprinkles. You’ll have adorable holiday breakfast on the table in 30 minutes—perfect for busy Christmas mornings when you want something special without the stress.
Since you’re here, make sure to check out these related recipes:
- Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Bake
- Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake Bars
- Easy Cinnamon Twists
- Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread
- Blueberry Croissant French Toast Bake
Why This Easy Christmas Tree Rolls Recipe Works
Ever need a festive breakfast that looks impressive but takes minimal effort? These easy Christmas tree rolls deliver exactly that.
Why you’ll love them:
- Unroll, shape, bake—done in 30 minutes total
- Tree shape creates instant holiday magic on your table
- Green icing and sprinkles make them picture-perfect
- Kids love helping decorate with toppings
- Grands cinnamon rolls create big, gooey results
The combination of warm cinnamon, sweet green icing, and colorful sprinkles makes Christmas morning feel special. Unrolling the dough and shaping it into trees takes just minutes but creates memories that last forever.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ready to make the best easy Christmas tree rolls? Here’s your simple shopping list for these festive beauties.
You’ll need:
- 1 can (5-count) Pillsbury Grands cinnamon rolls with icing
- Green food coloring
- Christmas sprinkles (red, green, white)
- 5 yellow M&Ms or star-shaped candies
- Parchment paper for lining
The Grands cinnamon rolls are crucial—regular cinnamon rolls won’t work because they’re shaped differently. Grands unroll into long strips of dough that form perfect trees. Green food coloring transforms the white icing into festive tree frosting.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Make sure the sheet is big enough to fit 5 trees with space between them.
2. Pop open the can of Grands cinnamon rolls carefully and remove the icing packet. Separate the 5 rolls and keep them cold—warm dough is harder to shape.
3. Unroll the first roll completely to create one long strip of dough. Start at the bottom and make a 2-2.5 inch horizontal line with the dough for the tree base.
4. Curve the dough upward and make the next row slightly shorter than the bottom. Continue zigzagging up, making each row narrower than the one below it until you reach the top.
5. Repeat with remaining rolls spacing them evenly on the baking sheet. Make sure each tree holds its shape by gently pressing the dough layers together where they touch.
6. Bake for 23-27 minutes until golden brown on top and cooked through. Don’t overbake or they’ll dry out—you want them barely browned.
7. Mix green icing while the rolls bake by adding 2-3 drops of green food coloring to the icing packet. Stir until you reach your desired shade of green.
8. Cool for 3-5 minutes after removing from the oven, then spread green icing evenly over each warm tree. Work quickly before the icing sets.
9. Add sprinkles immediately while the icing is still wet so they stick properly. Scatter red, green, and white sprinkles all over for ornament effect.
10. Top with yellow M&Ms at the very top of each tree as the star. Press gently into the icing so they stay in place.
Essential Equipment
Large Baking Sheet
You need a full-size sheet pan to fit all 5 trees with proper spacing. A half-sheet pan (13×18 inches) works perfectly for this recipe and prevents crowding.
Parchment Paper
Lining your baking sheet prevents the sticky cinnamon filling from burning onto the pan. The trees lift off cleanly without leaving any mess behind.
Small Bowl for Icing
A small bowl makes mixing the icing with food coloring mess-free. You can add color drops gradually until you achieve the perfect festive green shade.
Offset Spatula (PREMIUM)
An offset spatula spreads icing smoothly over the shaped trees without disturbing the delicate layers. It creates that professional bakery finish with minimal effort and keeps your hands clean.
What to Serve with Easy Christmas Tree Rolls Recipe
Looking for the perfect Christmas breakfast spread? These homemade easy Christmas tree rolls pair beautifully with simple sides.
Start with hot coffee or peppermint hot chocolate—the warmth balances the sweet richness perfectly. Fresh fruit salad adds bright color and refreshing contrast to all that cinnamon and icing. Try pairing with Fresh Spring Salad with Herb Vinaigrette for a lighter option.
Scrambled eggs with cheese provide savory balance that guests appreciate. Crispy bacon or Cheesy Sausage and Egg Wraps complete a full Christmas breakfast. For more festive options, serve alongside Blueberry Cottage Cheese Breakfast Bake or Breakfast Grilled Cheese for variety.
Storage and Reheating Guide
Room Temperature Storage
Store leftover best easy Christmas tree rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They stay soft when properly sealed. Cover loosely with foil while cooling to keep them pillowy.
Refrigerator Storage
For longer storage, refrigerate the rolls in a sealed container for up to 5 days. The green icing may harden slightly in the fridge but softens when warmed. Always bring to room temperature before reheating.
Reheating Instructions
Microwave individual trees for 10-15 seconds until warm and soft again. The icing will melt slightly and the centers will get gooey. For multiple trees, warm in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes covered with foil.
Easy Christmas Tree Rolls Recipe Variations
Want to customize these best easy Christmas tree rolls? Here are some delicious twists that work beautifully.
Cream cheese icing: Mix the packet icing with 2 oz softened cream cheese for extra richness and tang. The creamier texture spreads more easily over the warm trees.
Red and green trees: Make half the trees with green icing and half with red icing colored with red food coloring for variety on your breakfast table.
Chocolate drizzle: Melt 1/4 cup chocolate chips and drizzle over the green icing before adding sprinkles. Try Chocolate Croissant Breakfast Bake for another chocolate breakfast option.
Nutty topping: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on the icing before adding sprinkles for extra crunch and flavor. The nuts add richness that complements cinnamon perfectly.
Pro Tips and Tricks
Ready to make perfect easy Christmas tree rolls every time? These insider secrets guarantee success.
Keep dough cold until you’re ready to shape it—warm dough tears and won’t hold the tree shape as well during baking.
Press layers gently together where the dough touches itself in the zigzag pattern so the tree doesn’t come apart while baking.
Check at 23 minutes because ovens vary and overbaked rolls turn dry instead of gooey and delicious.
Add icing to warm rolls because it melts slightly and soaks into the layers, creating extra moisture and sweetness throughout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make easy Christmas tree rolls recipe ahead of time?
You can shape the unbaked trees on the baking sheet, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before baking. Add 2-3 minutes to the bake time.
Why use Grands instead of regular cinnamon rolls?
Grands unroll into long strips of dough that create proper tree shapes. Regular cinnamon rolls are shorter and shaped like biscuits, making tree shaping impossible. The Grands also create bigger, more impressive trees.
What if the tree shape falls apart during baking?
If you notice the tree separating in the oven, carefully remove it and gently push the layers back together with a spatula. Work quickly while it’s still soft, then return to the oven immediately.
Can you use homemade cinnamon roll dough?
Absolutely! Roll homemade dough into long strips about 1.5 inches wide and 12-14 inches long. Shape into trees following the same zigzag pattern. Bake at 375°F for 18-22 minutes.
How do you get the perfect green color?
Start with 2 drops of green food coloring in the icing and stir well. Add more drops one at a time until you reach your desired shade. Gel food coloring creates more vibrant greens than liquid.
Can kids help make these?
Definitely! Kids love unrolling the dough and shaping the zigzag trees. They also enjoy mixing the green icing and adding sprinkles and stars. It’s a perfect hands-on Christmas activity.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ready to make Christmas morning magical without spending hours in the kitchen? These easy Christmas tree rolls deliver that perfect combination of festive presentation and simple preparation everyone needs during the holidays.
You’ll love how the tree shape makes breakfast feel special, and the 30-minute total time means you can sleep in on Christmas morning. The green icing and colorful sprinkles create pure holiday happiness on every plate.
📌 Save this easy Christmas tree rolls recipe for holiday mornings—they’re guaranteed to become your family’s favorite Christmas breakfast tradition!
