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Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls

5 from 8 votes
By Katie
September 5, 2018
188 comments
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These Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls are perfect for the holiday season, especially for Christmas morning. Trust me the kids will go wild for sprinkles!

Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls

Pizza dough, bread, cookies and cinnamon rolls all happen in my mixer. Why? Because it’s faster and easier than doing it by hand. And because my husband washes all the dishes I dirty…most of the time. {How did I become so lucky?}

Today, I’m sharing with you one of my all time favorite recipes I’ve ever made. That’s saying a lot, huh? But, it’s TRUE!! My Cinnabon Rolls are my family’s favorite treat and happen to be one of the most viewed recipes on my site EVER! Surprise surprise…you are ALL cinnamon roll lovers!! My KitchenAid makes mixing and kneading a cinch. These are perfect for Christmas morning, or for any other special occasion. For more detailed photos of the step by step process, see this post. We’re taking the exact recipe, cutting the rolls smaller and arranging them in tree shapes. Super fun for the holidays and kids always DIE over all the sprinkles. Let’s get started:

Christmas Tree Cinnamon RollsStart out by proofing some quick rise yeast in warm water with a teaspoon of sugar. Set that aside.

Cinnamon RollsWhile that’s proofing, whisk an egg together with some buttermilk and canola oil.

Cinnamon RollsAnd measure out more sugar and some salt.

Cinnamon RollsAfter 10 minutes or so, your yeast should be looking frothy and wonderful! Now we’re ready to get mixing…literally.

Cinnamon RollsPour the yeast, egg mixture and sugar into the mixer and stir briefly with the hook attachment.

Cinnamon RollsMeasure out half of the flour and dump it into the bowl with the salt. Stir it up and get kneading.

Cinnamon RollsKeep adding in more and more flour until the dough starts to come together and pull away from the sides. You want it slightly sticky and smooth. This needs to get kneaded a few more minutes.

Cinnamon RollsOnce your dough is a bit smoother, you can grease the bowl and the dough and let it rise. Make sure you cover it and place it in a warm, draft-free spot in your kitchen.

Cinnamon RollsAfter 2 hours or so, punch the dough down, flour your work surface and roll this out big! This will make 2 trees, so feel free to just use half the dough and save the other half for something else.

Cinnamon RollsFill rolls with butter, sugar and cinnamon. I didn’t have a whole lot of brown sugar so I subbed in some granulated sugar. Use what you got!

Christmas Tree Cinnamon RollsRoll the dough, cut off the uneven ends and slice into rolls. Arrange on a buttered parchment paper-lined cookie sheet in a tree pattern. Cover with plastic wrap and rise again until rolls are doubled in size and touching. This 2nd rise always seems to take forever for me. Like 4 hours. Don’t be afraid to keep these out longer than you think just to get a good rise out of them.

Christmas Tree Cinnamon RollsBake, smother in frosting and top with sprinkles! I used store bought frosting because I had it on hand, but I’d recommend the cream cheese frosting as listed in the recipe for sure!!

So, there you have it! My Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree..perfect for Christmas morning and it’ll make your house smell amazing ALL day!

More Cinnamon Roll Recipes to Try!

Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree

Katie Cooksey
These Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls are perfect for the holiday season especially for Christmas morning. Trust me the kids will go wild for sprinkles!
5 from 8 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 17 minutes
Rise Time 2 hours
Course Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24 small rolls
Calories 267 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

for the dough-

  • 3/4 cup warm water
  • 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast use the fast acting kind!
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk at room temperature
  • 1 egg
  • 1/3 cup canola oil or vegetable oil
  • 4 1/2-5 cups all purpose flour unbleached

for the filling-

for the frosting-

  • 2 oz cream cheese room temperature
  • 1/4 cup butter room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tbsp corn syrup
  • 1 tsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar

for decorations-

  • Christmas sprinkles or just red and green
  • star-shaped cookie

Instructions
 

making the dough-

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, pour in water, yeast* and 1 tablespoon of the granulated sugar. Stir and proof 5 minutes.
  • Once mixture looks bubbly and frothy, pour in remaining sugar and salt. Stir on low for 15-20 seconds.
  • In a small bowl, measure buttermilk, oil and egg. Whisk ingredients together until egg is incorporated to other two ingredients. Pour contents into the water and yeast mixture. Stir another 20 seconds in the mixer.
  • Pour 2 cups of flour into mixer and stir on low until incorporated. Sprinkle flour in by 1/4 cup increments until dough cleans the sides and bottom of the bowl. Dough should be sticky but not sticky enough to stick to your hands when touched. Once it has reached this stage, turn mixer on and knead for 5 minutes.
  • Remove dough from bowl, grease and replace back into same mixing bowl (since it’s practically clean anyways). Cover with plastic wrap and a dish towel. Rise 1-2 hours or until dough has doubled in size.

filling and cutting rolls-

  • Preheat oven to 350° F. Prepare 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and grease well with butter or nonstick spray. Set aside.
  • In a medium size bowl, stir brown sugar, cinnamon and cornstarch together until combined. Set aside. Punch down dough.
  • Flour a large clean table liberally with flour. Remove dough ball from bowl and lightly flour it as well. Knead with your hands for about 1 minute.
  • Using a rolling pin, roll dough out to be a 20×30 rectangle** (or as close to that as possible) while moving dough around to ensure it’s not sticking to your work surface.
  • Spread softened butter over dough, being sure to go right up to the edges, leaving a ONE 1-inch strip untouched on one of the longer sides of dough.
  • Dump brown sugar mixture onto the middle of the dough and spread with your hands, creating an even layer over top of the butter, still leaving that 1-inch strip of dough untouched.
  • Lightly press the sugar mixture into the dough using a rolling pin. Using clean hands, roll the dough up into a tight log, finishing with the plain dough on the bottom to seal the entire thing together.
  • Cut off the uneven ends to even out the log. Score log every 1 1/2 inches or so and then slice your rolls using those marks.
  • Place each roll, cut side up onto baking sheets, 12 rolls per sheet, arranged in a tree pattern close to each other but not quite touching.
  • Cover pans with plastic wrap and dish towels. Place in a warm area of your kitchen and allow rolls rise another 2-3 hours or until they are touching and have risen almost double. My rolls always spread OUT more than UP, so just be aware of that.
  • Bake for 17 minutes, or until tops start to brown. Watch them carefully!!

for the frosting-

  • While the rolls are baking, using a hand mixer, whip cream cheese and butter together in a small bowl. Stir in vanilla, corn syrup and lemon juice. Scrape sides and mix again.
  • Pour in powdered sugar and stir slowly until it starts to incorporate. Then mix on high for 5 minutes or until frosting starts to lighten in color. Scrape sides and mix again briefly.
  • Once rolls have been removed from the oven***, frost using half the amount made. This first layer of frosting will melt down into the rolls.
  • After the rolls have cooled a few more minutes, frost again with remaining frosting. This second layer of frosting should stay put.
  • Top with Christmas (or red and green) sprinkles, darker sprinkles for the tree "trunk" and top with a star cookie if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

*Depending on the brand of yeast I'm using determines how long the dough will take to rise. I like using Red Star Yeast Platinum yeast. It's much faster than just traditional quick rise yeasts.
**When rolling out the dough, if it’s a little short or uneven, feel free to cut off the edges to even it all out.  I cut off some dough on one side and filled in a spot that needed more dough on the other side to make a more even rectangle.
***If your frosting isn’t quite ready after you pull the rolls out of the oven, cover with foil so the tops don’t dry out and get crispy.

Nutrition

Calories: 267kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 3gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 160mgPotassium: 58mgFiber: 1gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 225IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 1mg
Keyword christmas tree, cinnamon roll
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5 from 8 votes

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188 Responses
  3. This Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree Is A Must-Have For Christmas Morning - WELCOME TO DR ADAS BLOG
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    […] recipe from Lauren’s Latest will walk you through how to make your very own cinnamon roll dough from scratch, bake it into […]

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  6. Francie
    Reply

    I subscribe to your e-mails. I would love to have the mixer,mine is showing signs of being tired and I am afraid it is about ready to stop working.I make cookies for my 7 year old grandson,Conner . We enjoy doing this together.

  15. Donna
    Reply

    Would LOVE to win this mixer…we had a small hand mixer & last week, our 11 yr old daughter was baking cookies & the mixer BROKE. If I don’t win a mixer I will definitely have to go buy another one, and it sure won’t be a beautiful KitchenAid stand mixer – can’t afford that right now. (or maybe never, who knows?) Please rafflecopter, pick me!

  28. Amber Harris
    Reply

    I have a Wolfgang Puck stand mixer and that poor thing clanks and clunks with any bread recipes. How I long for a good quality mixer :). Merry Christmas and we all are looking forward to some homemade rolls on Christmas morning!

  29. Christine
    Reply

    Definitely making these cinnamon rolls. And the pretty red mixer would look so nice on my counter! Subscribed to newsletter and pinned

  30. Nicole O.
    Reply

    ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• I’m currently subscribed to your emails under: saucy.baby21 [at] gmail [dot] [com]

    Thank you so much for the chance! 🙂

  34. Vicki
    Reply

    I have been a fb follower for quite some time, and I’m now subscribed to receive your emails! I love your blog, and the fantastic recipes you share! Thanks for the chance to win the great gifts you are sharing!

  46. Jolene S
    Reply

    This would be fantastic! I have a regular-sized KitchenAid mixer that I would love to give my daughter when she makes cinnamon rolls. I just mixed a double batch of cookie dough and it was overflowing!

  52. Melissa
    Reply

    I have made several of your recipes and am hoping for a mixer. I have never owned one but I think it would make my life so much easier. Your waffles recipes are staples in my kitchen and I loved the strawberry poppyseed bacon salad. Delicious!

  55. Jenn B
    Reply

    We switch years between hot crossed buns and cinnamon rolls in the shape of a christmas tree, but we normally dye our frosting green just to make it THAT much more festive!

  64. Jean | DelightfulRepast.blogspot.com
    Reply

    I’d love to be making my next batch of cinnamon rolls in this KA stand mixer! delightfulrepast at aol dot com Hope to be hearing from you! 😀

  69. Eva S
    Reply

    My mom has a kitchen aid mixer that I’ve gotten used to using, but now that I’m out on my own, I miss it tons! I’ve made 2 batches of cookies and 5 pans of brownies in the last 36 hours to be sold at a bake sale for a kids’ group home. Having a stand mixer got next time would be so much easier! As much as I miss it though, my baked goods are nearly always shared. Love baking, but I can’t eat a whole batch of anything myself! 🙂 Need to try your rolls next…

  70. Christine A,
    Reply

    Signed up for your email blasts, what a spectacular holiday giveaway whom would NOT want to make a dessert tree of their own? Yummmy.

  87. Andrea
    Reply

    I would love to have a 7 Qt kitchenaid! My current mixer is only 4.5 Qts and with two teenagers, I’d love to be able to bake bigger batches of cookies, pizza dough and pretzels! I currently follow you on facebook.

  89. Lauren's Latest » Pregnancy Update: 20 weeks + its a BOY!
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  90. Lauren's Latest » White Chocolate Cranberry Bread Pudding + Eagle Brand Prize Pack Giveaway!
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    […] make a great addition to any holiday breakfast buffet! Make these puddings to go along side my Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree, Chicken Sausage and Asparagus Quiche and this Easy Blackberry Cheese […]

  91. Maureen G
    Reply

    I like the step-by-step instructions and photos. It wouldn’t be Christmas without the fragrant smell of cinnamon. The Christmas Tree will make great memories.

  95. Kellie
    Reply

    I am already subscribed to your wonderful emails. Thank you for the opportunity to win the best prize ever!!! Oh and FYI…I can smell the cinnamon and glaze through the computer screen!!! *drool*

  107. Angela
    Reply

    5 stars
    I actually made your cinnabon cinnamon rolls before and they were delicious. I modified your frosting recipe a bit, but those cinnamon rolls impressed my 92 year old grandma who has been baking from scratch since she was 6.

  108. Ginger
    Reply

    Yep, the reason I found your blog was because I was looking for a cinnamon roll recipe. LOVED the blog and follow you faithfully!

  112. heidi
    Reply

    5 stars
    I may have said this before, but I really look forward to your postings. I love how you express yourself and it always brings a smile to my face. And of course the recipes!! I hope you have a wonderful holiday.

  113. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom
    Reply

    By the way, I LOVE this Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree!! i’m going to try this!! I’ve been meaning to try your Cinnamon Roll recipe!! 🙂

  115. Carla @ Carlas Confections
    Reply

    These rolls are so awesome! And I love the tree. So adorable! Perfect giveaway too. And I love your justification with getting one 😉 I know it would look perfect on my countertop too!!

  122. conniemelancon
    Reply

    We love Cinnamon rolls and this is a great idea! keeping my fingers crossed on the Kitchen aid mixer….have wanted one for a long time.

  127. Stefanie @ Sarcastic Cooking
    Reply

    I love cinnamon roll dough. It is my fave to work with, besides pizza dough. So easy and light and airy. Great giveaway!

  132. Malissa W
    Reply

    I am already an email subscriber but I have to say your emails and amazing photos make it difficult to stay on my diet! Thanks!

  134. Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious
    Reply

    The cinnamon roll tree is just too cute! I definitely need to give that a try.

    Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

  139. Maria
    Reply

    5 stars
    When you first posted the cinnabon recipe I made them…once, twice…yes three times so far. They are easy to make and delicious! They replaced my two go to recipes for cinnamon buns.

  143. JackieToo
    Reply

    Cinnamon rolls are one of the things I am forbidden to take to my SIL’s house. She likes them waaay too much. We’ll have to see what she says about a whole tree full. 😀

    I think the note in the Rafflecopter (I love that name!) covers this, but just in case: I already subscribe to your emails. Even with all the social media, email is still my favorite way to keep up with my cyber friends.

  150. Heidi @ Food Doodles
    Reply

    Great giveaway 🙂 I made sure to subscribe by email(even though I like rss better) for an extra chance. I’m still saving for my first mixer – can’t wait!

  153. Yvette Novak
    Reply

    Love your Christmas tree rolls. Just how big of a batch of dough
    can you make with this bigger mixer? You have piqued my curiousity!
    I’d love to try one out.

  155. Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain
    Reply

    Holy holidays! This cinnamon roll tree looks AH-mazing! I think this would be super fun to make with my nieces and nephews for Christmas!

  160. Robin Moss
    Reply

    I want to try this for our Christmas morning breakfast! We have at least 14 Christmas morning and my mom and I do all of the cooking. I love the picture of the red kitchenaid.

  163. Devanie
    Reply

    Fabulous! I used the rafflecopter thing to enter- hope it worked because I need this mixer! My mom’s kitchen aid that I inherited finally died after almost 40 years!!!

  168. Danielle
    Reply

    Yay! I love cinnamon rolls! I’ve always wanted to make them but I’m so impatient! Haha 🙂 But these definitely look worth the wait!

  171. Emily
    Reply

    7 Quarts! Wow. I have the standard 4.5 Quart mixer that I use frequently, but it sure would be nice to have the bigger one for when I double recipes.

  174. jen
    Reply

    i have a red kitchenaid from long ago when i worked at williams sonoma. its starting to get really old….a new one would make my day!

  177. Lucia A
    Reply

    GREAT GIVEAWAY!!! THANK YOU!!!! I subscribe to your email because I love getting your new recipes 🙂 I love the Christmas Tree so cute and looks delicious!

  178. Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel
    Reply

    This looks FAB. I want every single one of those dang rolls. No, I don’t care if I will turn into a cinnamon roll after eating them all, either.

    And great giveaway, Lauren!! I hope I win!!

  182. Peggy
    Reply

    I’ll let you in on a little secret… i used to own a kitchenAid but traded it out when i got a bosche… and i’ve regretted it every since! my grandma’s kitchen aid mixer lasted over 50 years. it was still working when she passed away in 1998 and was sold at an auction. i know my hubby thinks i’ve lost it but i seriously want another kitchen aid mixer…. this one to last me for the remainder of my days!

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