Christmas Tree Rolls Recipe

Festive Christmas Tree Rolls Recipe: Joyful Holiday Baking Magic

Festive baking takes a whimsical turn with these delightful christmas tree rolls that capture holiday magic in every bite.

These adorable pastries blend soft, pillowy dough with a playful tree-like shape that sparks joy at any gathering.

Crafted with simple ingredients and a touch of creativity, these rolls become an instant centerpiece on your holiday table.

The green-tinted dough and carefully shaped branches make each roll a miniature edible artwork.

Warm, buttery, and beautifully decorated, these rolls transform an ordinary meal into a celebration of seasonal cheer.

Bakers of all skill levels can create these charming treats that will surely delight everyone around the table.

What’s Fun About Tree Shaped Sweet Rolls

  • Craft a Festive Centerpiece: Transform simple cinnamon rolls into a stunning tree-shaped dessert that becomes the star of any holiday gathering or special occasion.
  • Quick and Easy Crowd-Pleaser: Impress family and friends with a creative design that requires minimal culinary skills and uses convenient store-bought cinnamon rolls.
  • Kid-Friendly Baking Adventure: Engage children in a fun cooking activity where they can help shape the dough and decorate the final tree, making memories while creating a delicious treat.
  • Flexible Decorating Canvas: Customize the tree with different icings, sprinkles, and toppings to match any theme or celebration, from Christmas to birthday parties.

Tree Shaped Sweet Roll Ingredient List

Primary Ingredients:
  • Refrigerated Cinnamon Rolls: Soft, pre-made dough that serves as the base for creating a festive tree-shaped pastry.
  • Icing: Sweet topping that adds decorative finish and extra sweetness to the rolls.
  • Sprinkles: Colorful decorative elements that provide a festive and fun appearance to the tree-shaped rolls.
Preparation Ingredients:
  • Non-Stick Spray, Parchment Paper: Ensures the rolls do not stick to the baking surface and can be easily removed after baking.
Optional Decorative Ingredients:
  • Sprinkles: Adds a playful and colorful touch to the finished tree-shaped sweet rolls.

Tree Sweet Rolls: Instructions for a Festive Treat

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Fire up your oven to a cozy 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

This creates the perfect environment for transforming simple dough into a delightful tree-shaped masterpiece.

Step 2: Prep Your Baking Surface

Get your baking pan ready by giving it a light spray of non-stick magic or laying down a protective parchment paper blanket.

This ensures your sweet rolls won’t stick and come out perfectly.

Step 3: Unroll The Dough Canvas

Gently crack open the can of rolls and carefully separate them into 5 individual dough pieces.

Each roll is about to become a branch of your edible tree.

Step 4: Craft Your Dough Tree

Take each roll and lovingly unroll it flat.

Then, start weaving and shaping the dough back and forth to create a tree-like silhouette.

Use your fingertips to pinch and seal the dough connections, ensuring your tree holds its artistic form.

Step 5: Bake To Golden Perfection

Slide your dough tree into the preheated oven and let it transform for 23-27 minutes.

Watch for a beautiful golden color.

If any branches try to wander during baking, gently nudge them back into place.

Step 6: Decorate With Festive Flair

After removing from the oven, let your tree cool slightly.

Then unleash your creativity by drizzling icing and sprinkling colorful decorations across your sweet masterpiece.

Baking Tips for Tree Shaped Sweet Rolls

  • Pinch seams firmly when shaping the tree to ensure the dough stays connected during baking.
  • Check rolls at 20 minutes and rotate pan for even browning, preventing over-browning.
  • If tree separates while baking, gently push pieces back together using a spatula or fork.
  • Sprinkle cinnamon or crushed nuts between dough layers for extra texture and taste.
  • Decorate immediately after cooling with colorful icing and sprinkles for a fun, eye-catching dessert.

Festive Sweet Roll Twists to Try

  • Gluten-Free Holiday Tree: Replace standard rolls with gluten-free crescent dough, ensuring same tree shape and festive appearance for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Vegan Winter Treat: Substitute dairy-based icing with coconut cream glaze and use plant-based crescent rolls, maintaining the tree design while accommodating vegan dietary needs.
  • Savory Herb Tree: Transform sweet recipe into a savory version by using garlic-herb crescent rolls, sprinkling dried herbs, and adding grated parmesan cheese before baking.
  • Whole Wheat Wellness Tree: Swap regular crescent rolls with whole wheat variety, adding seeds or nuts for extra nutrition and a healthier holiday presentation.

Serving Tree Shaped Sweet Rolls for Gatherings

  • Festive Holiday Display: Arrange the tree-shaped rolls on a wooden board with small ornament cookies and a dusting of powdered sugar for a magical Christmas centerpiece.
  • Winter Dessert Pairing: Serve warm with hot cocoa or cinnamon-spiced coffee to create a cozy seasonal treat that everyone will love.
  • Kid-Friendly Activity: Let children help decorate the tree with colorful sprinkles or drizzle icing in fun patterns, turning baking into a playful family moment.
  • Brunch Presentation: Place rolls on a decorative platter with fresh berries and mint leaves to elevate the visual appeal and add a fresh touch to your morning spread.

Storing Tree Sweet Rolls After the Party

  • Store leftover sweet rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Wrap each roll individually in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
  • Keep fresh rolls at room temperature for 1-2 days if covered loosely with a clean kitchen towel. Avoid direct sunlight or heat sources that could make them stale quickly.
  • Freeze cooled rolls in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Place wax paper between layers to prevent sticking. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
  • Warm refrigerated or frozen rolls in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300F for 5-7 minutes to restore softness and fresh-baked taste.

FAQs

  • How do I prevent the dough from sticking to my hands when shaping the tree?

Lightly dust your hands with flour or use a small amount of cooking spray to help the dough slide smoothly without tearing.

  • What if my dough breaks while weaving the tree shape?

Don’t worry! Gently pinch the broken pieces back together. The dough is forgiving and will still bake into a beautiful tree.

  • Can I make this recipe with homemade dough instead of canned rolls?

Yes, you can use homemade sweet roll dough. Just ensure it’s rolled out thin and has a similar consistency to the canned dough for best results.

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Christmas Tree Rolls Recipe

Christmas Tree Rolls Recipe


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4.9 from 29 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Festive Christmas Tree Rolls bring holiday cheer straight to your dinner table with delightful bread shaped like miniature pine trees. Green-tinted dough and creative scoring create charming seasonal treats that spark joy for family gatherings and winter celebrations.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 can pillsbury cinnamon rolls

Secondary Ingredients:

  • 1 container icing (from can)

Decorative Ingredients:

  • 1 container christmas sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F, ensuring the rack is positioned in the center for even baking.
  2. Prepare the baking surface by generously coating a large baking sheet with non-stick spray or lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  3. Carefully remove the cinnamon rolls from the packaging, gently separating the five individual rolls without tearing the dough.
  4. Unroll each roll completely, creating long strips of dough that can be manipulated into a festive tree shape.
  5. Artfully weave the dough strips back and forth, creating a triangular tree-like pattern, making sure to carefully pinch the edges and connections to maintain structural integrity.
  6. Arrange the woven dough tree on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring the base is stable and the branches are evenly distributed.
  7. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 23-27 minutes, watching closely to achieve a golden-brown color without overcooking.
  8. If the dough branches separate during baking, quickly and gently press them back together using a spatula or clean fingers.
  9. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes, which helps the structure set and prevents burning when decorating.
  10. Drizzle the included icing over the tree-shaped roll, creating a festive look, and sprinkle decorative toppings for a finishing touch.

Notes

  • Prevent Unrolling Carefully unroll each cinnamon roll, working slowly to keep the dough intact without tearing.
  • Reinforce Structure Pinch the dough connections firmly to ensure the tree shape stays together during baking, using gentle pressure at each weaving point.
  • Moisture Hack Lightly brush the dough with melted butter before shaping to help the pieces stick together and create a golden, glossy finish.
  • Decorating Flexibility Use green-tinted frosting for a more festive tree look, or experiment with different colored sprinkles to match holiday themes.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 200
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 320 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Nathaniel Brooks

Nathaniel Brooks

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Farm-to-table cuisine, Seasonal recipe development, Culinary storytelling

Education

Ivy Tech Community College – Indianapolis, IN
Culinary Arts / Hospitality Administration & Events
Focused on hands-on training in classical and modern culinary techniques. ​


Nathaniel’s story starts in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, where farm stands, backyard gardens, and old family recipes shaped his love for real food. After graduating from Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis, he spent years working in farm-to-table kitchens, learning how to turn local, seasonal ingredients into something memorable.
Today, Nathaniel pours that same spirit into every single recipe on Aspiring Culinarian – recipes that feel real, comforting, and connected to the land. When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll find him foraging wild herbs, chasing sunsets with his camera, or writing about the flavors that shaped his roots.

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