Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Cinnamon Rolls

Servings: 8 Total Time: 35 mins Difficulty: Beginner
Easy & Budget-Friendly Christmas Morning Breakfast
Christmas tree pull-apart cinnamon rolls decorated with green icing and festive sprinkles for an easy Christmas morning breakfast. pinit View Gallery 2 photos

These Christmas tree cinnamon rolls are such a fun and affordable way to make Christmas morning feel extra special! Made with refrigerated cinnamon rolls, sweet cinnamon butter, green icing, and festive sprinkles, this easy Christmas tree pull apart is perfect for a cozy holiday breakfast without spending hours in the kitchen.

For this recipe, I used Great Value refrigerated cinnamon rolls from Walmart, and I was genuinely impressed with the quality and taste! They were delicious, and I didn’t feel like I was missing out by skipping the more expensive name-brand cinnamon rolls. It’s a great reminder that you don’t have to spend more to make something your family will love.

With just a handful of simple ingredients, you can turn ordinary refrigerated cinnamon rolls into an adorable Christmas tree that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet holiday treat!

Why You’ll Love These Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Cinnamon Rolls

  • Budget-friendly: You don’t need expensive name-brand cinnamon rolls to make a delicious holiday breakfast.
  • Easy to make: No homemade dough, yeast, or complicated baking techniques required.
  • Perfect for Christmas morning: A festive breakfast that doesn’t require spending hours in the kitchen.
  • Kid-friendly: Little helpers can decorate the Christmas tree with icing and sprinkles.
  • Fun to share: Everyone can pull apart their own warm, gooey cinnamon roll!
  • Simple ingredients: Just a couple of cans of cinnamon rolls and a few affordable pantry staples.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You only need a handful of ingredients to make this adorable cinnamon roll Christmas tree!

Refrigerated Cinnamon Rolls: You’ll need two cans of refrigerated cinnamon rolls, with eight rolls in each can. I used Great Value cinnamon rolls from Walmart and was so impressed with the quality and flavor! They were a delicious, affordable alternative to the more expensive name brands.

Butter: A little melted butter adds extra richness to the cinnamon rolls.

Brown Sugar: Creates a sweet topping that pairs perfectly with the cinnamon filling.

Ground Cinnamon: Adds a little extra warm cinnamon flavor.

Green Food Coloring: Turns the included icing into festive Christmas tree frosting.

Christmas Sprinkles: Red and green sprinkles make the tree look decorated for Christmas.

Star-Shaped Candy: Completely optional, but it makes an adorable finishing touch at the top of the tree!

How to Make Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Cinnamon Rolls

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Sheet

Preheat your oven according to the temperature listed on your cinnamon roll packaging.

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, if appropriate for your baking temperature and the package directions.

Step 2: Arrange the Cinnamon Rolls

Open both cans of refrigerated cinnamon rolls and set the included icing aside.

Arrange 15 cinnamon rolls into a Christmas tree shape using five rows:

  • Row 1: 1 cinnamon roll
  • Row 2: 2 cinnamon rolls
  • Row 3: 3 cinnamon rolls
  • Row 4: 4 cinnamon rolls
  • Row 5: 5 cinnamon rolls

Place the remaining cinnamon roll underneath the tree to create the trunk.

Keep the rolls close enough to touch slightly so they bake together into a pull-apart breakfast.

Step 3: Add the Cinnamon Butter

In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon.

Lightly brush the mixture over the tops of the cinnamon rolls.

This step is optional, but it adds a little extra sweetness and cinnamon flavor!

Step 4: Bake Until Golden

Bake according to the temperature and recommended baking time listed on your cinnamon roll packaging.

Important: Different brands of refrigerated cinnamon rolls may have different baking instructions. Always follow the directions on the package.

Because the cinnamon rolls are arranged close together in a Christmas tree shape, they may need additional baking time to cook completely through.

Check the center rolls carefully before removing them from the oven. If the tops begin browning too quickly, loosely cover the tree with aluminum foil while the center finishes baking.

Step 5: Decorate Your Christmas Tree

Allow the cinnamon rolls to cool for approximately 5–10 minutes.

In a small bowl, mix the icing included with the cinnamon rolls with a few drops of green food coloring until you reach your desired shade.

Drizzle or gently spread the green icing over the cinnamon roll tree.

Decorate with red and green Christmas sprinkles and add a star-shaped candy to the top if desired.

Step 6: Serve Warm

Serve the cinnamon roll Christmas tree while it’s still warm and gooey!

Everyone can pull apart their own cinnamon roll, making this a fun and festive breakfast for the whole family.

Which Cinnamon Rolls Should You Use?

I used Great Value refrigerated cinnamon rolls from Walmart, and I was genuinely surprised by how much I liked them!

Sometimes it feels like you have to buy the more expensive name-brand products to get the best quality, but that’s not always the case. These cinnamon rolls tasted delicious and worked wonderfully for this recipe.

You can absolutely use your favorite brand of refrigerated cinnamon rolls, though. Just make sure you’re using two cans with eight cinnamon rolls each to create the Christmas tree shape.

And remember to follow the baking instructions on whichever brand you choose!

Tips for the Best Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree

Follow the package directions. Different cinnamon roll brands can have different baking temperatures and times. Always use the instructions on your specific packaging as your starting point.

Check the center rolls. Because the cinnamon rolls are touching, the middle can take longer to bake. Make sure the dough is fully cooked before serving.

Don’t add the icing immediately. Let the cinnamon rolls cool slightly so the green icing doesn’t completely melt and disappear.

Keep the decorating simple. Green icing and red sprinkles are really all you need to make this look like a Christmas tree!

Skip the extra cinnamon butter if you’re short on time. The cinnamon rolls already have plenty of flavor, so this step is completely optional.

Serve warm. These are especially delicious fresh from the oven when the cinnamon rolls are soft and gooey.

Can You Make Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls Ahead of Time?

These cinnamon rolls are best when they’re freshly baked, but you can make Christmas morning even easier by preparing a few things ahead of time.

The night before, measure out your butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. You can also gather your food coloring, sprinkles, and serving platter.

When you’re ready to make breakfast, all you have to do is open the cinnamon rolls, arrange them into a Christmas tree, and bake!

I recommend waiting to open the refrigerated cinnamon roll cans until you’re ready to bake unless your specific brand provides instructions for preparing them ahead.

How to Store Leftover Cinnamon Rolls

If you have any leftovers, allow the cinnamon rolls to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container.

Store them in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

To reheat, microwave an individual cinnamon roll for approximately 10–15 seconds, or until warmed through.

The icing may melt slightly when reheated, but they’ll still taste delicious!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different brand of refrigerated cinnamon rolls?

Absolutely! I used Great Value cinnamon rolls from Walmart, but you can use your favorite brand. Just follow the baking instructions on your specific packaging and adjust the time as needed for the pull-apart arrangement.

Can I make this cinnamon roll Christmas tree without green food coloring?

Yes! You can leave the icing white and decorate the tree with colorful Christmas sprinkles instead. It will still look festive and adorable!

Do I have to use the extra cinnamon butter?

Not at all! The melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon add a little extra sweetness, but you can skip them to make this recipe even easier and more budget-friendly.

Can I use homemade cinnamon rolls?

Yes! If you have a favorite homemade cinnamon roll recipe, you can arrange the prepared rolls into a Christmas tree shape. Just follow the baking and proofing instructions appropriate for your homemade dough.

What should I serve with Christmas tree cinnamon rolls?

These would be delicious alongside scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, fresh fruit, or a warm cup of hot chocolate for a cozy Christmas morning breakfast.

Can kids help make this recipe?

Definitely! Kids can help arrange the cinnamon rolls into the Christmas tree shape and decorate the finished tree with icing and sprinkles. Just have an adult handle the oven and hot baking sheet.

A Fun and Affordable Christmas Morning Tradition

One of my favorite things about creating budget-friendly recipes is finding little ways to make everyday ingredients feel special without spending a fortune.

These Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Cinnamon Rolls are the perfect example! With just two cans of affordable refrigerated cinnamon rolls and a few simple ingredients, you can create a festive breakfast that looks like you spent so much more time and money on it than you actually did.

Whether you’re making these for Christmas morning, a holiday brunch, or just a fun weekend breakfast with the kids, they’re such an easy way to add a little extra Christmas magic to your table.

And if you give the Great Value cinnamon rolls a try, you might be just as impressed as I was!

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment below and let me know what cinnamon roll brand you used.

Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Cinnamon Rolls

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 20 mins Total Time 35 mins
Servings: 8
Best Season: Winter

Description

These Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Cinnamon Rolls are a fun, festive, and budget-friendly holiday breakfast! Made with refrigerated cinnamon rolls, sweet cinnamon butter, green icing, and colorful Christmas sprinkles, they're an easy way to make Christmas morning extra special without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients

Cooking Mode Disabled

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven. Preheat your oven according to the temperature listed on your cinnamon roll packaging. Prepare a large baking sheet according to the package directions, using parchment paper if suitable.
  2. Prepare the cinnamon rolls. Open both cans of refrigerated cinnamon rolls and set the included icing aside.
  3. Create the Christmas tree. Arrange 15 cinnamon rolls into five rows, starting with 1 roll at the top, followed by rows of 2, 3, 4, and 5 rolls. Place the remaining cinnamon roll centered underneath the tree to create the trunk. Keep the rolls close enough to touch slightly.
  4. Make the cinnamon butter. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Lightly brush the mixture over the tops of the cinnamon rolls.
  5. Bake. Bake according to the temperature and recommended time on your cinnamon roll packaging. Because the rolls are arranged together, additional baking time may be necessary. Check the center rolls to ensure the dough is completely cooked. If the tops brown too quickly, loosely cover with aluminum foil.
  6. Cool slightly. Remove from the oven and allow the cinnamon rolls to cool for approximately 5–10 minutes.
  7. Prepare the icing. In a small bowl, combine the icing included with the cinnamon rolls and a few drops of green food coloring. Stir until evenly colored.
  8. Decorate. Drizzle or gently spread the green icing over the cinnamon roll tree. Add red and green Christmas sprinkles and an optional candy star on top.
  9. Serve. Serve warm and let everyone pull apart their own cinnamon roll!

Note

  • Budget-friendly brand: I used Great Value refrigerated cinnamon rolls from Walmart and was genuinely impressed with their quality and taste! They're a delicious alternative to more expensive name-brand cinnamon rolls.
  • Follow package instructions: Always use the baking temperature and preparation directions listed on your cinnamon roll packaging. Different brands may require different baking times.
  • Check the center: Since the cinnamon rolls are touching, the center may take longer to bake than individual rolls.
  • Optional cinnamon butter: You can skip the butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon mixture for an even simpler recipe.
  • Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. Reheat individual rolls in the microwave until warmed through.
Keywords: christmas tree pull apart, christmas tree cinnamon rolls, cinnamon roll christmas tree, christmas morning breakfast, easy christmas breakfast, refrigerated cinnamon rolls, Great Value cinnamon rolls, Christmas brunch ideas, budget friendly Christmas recipes
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Taylor Food and Lifestyle Blogger

Hi, I’m Taylor-a busy mom of two, food blogger, and the heart behind Budget Friendly Kitchen. I’m passionate about creating simple, affordable meals for families and love spending time in the kitchen, trying new recipes, and making memories with my family.

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