Picture this: It is Christmas morning. The tree is twinkling, carols are playing softly, and the kids are buzzing with excitement. What is missing from this perfect scene? Oh, just the most amazing aroma wafting from the kitchen! We are talking about fresh, warm, gooey cinnamon rolls, shaped like a festive Christmas tree, ready to kick off your holiday celebrations.
Forget complicated menus or spending hours in the kitchen. These delightful rolls are one of those truly special Christmas Breakfast Ideas that feel indulgent but are surprisingly simple to make. They are perfect for creating those cherished holiday memories without any fuss. Get ready to bake up some magic for a memorable Christmas Morning Breakfast!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honestly, what is not to love about a warm, sweet treat on a chilly holiday morning? This recipe for cinnamon roll Christmas trees is a game changer for your Christmas Breakfast Ideas. It is designed with busy families in mind, bringing maximum joy with minimal stress.
First off, it is a fantastic visual treat. Shaping the rolls into a tree just screams holiday cheer, does it not? It is a conversation starter and makes for lovely pictures. Plus, who can resist a warm cinnamon roll dripping with creamy frosting? It is pure comfort food, perfect for those cozy mornings.
This is one of those Christmas Food Recipes that is also incredibly customizable. You can add different spices, nuts, or even a dash of orange zest to the filling if you are feeling adventurous. It is also a great make ahead option, meaning you can do most of the work the night before and just pop them in the oven on Christmas day. Talk about a win for a stress free Holiday Breakfast Ideas!
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 3/4 cup (185ml) whole milk
- 1/4 cup (56g) unsalted butter
- 2 1/2 cups (300g) all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1 (0.25oz) package (7g) or 2 1/4 teaspoons Red Star Active Dry Yeast
- 1 large egg
For the Filling
- 1/3 cup (75g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup (105g) light or dark brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
For the Frosting
- 1/4 cup (56g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 ounces (56g) cream cheese, at room temperature
- 2 cups (227g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 3 tablespoons milk or eggnog
- Holiday sprinkles (optional)
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Warm the Milk and Butter
Grab a saucepan and gently warm the whole milk and unsalted butter over medium low heat. You want the butter to melt completely and the mixture to reach about 120 to 130°F. This warmth is crucial for waking up that yeast!
Step 2: Start the Dough
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, or a large bowl if you are mixing by hand, combine 1 1/2 cups of the all purpose flour, granulated sugar, coarse salt, and active dry yeast. Give it a quick whisk to combine everything nicely.
Step 3: Mix the Wet and Dry
Pour the warm milk and butter mixture, along with the large egg, into your dry ingredients. Mix until you have a wet, shaggy dough. Do not worry if it looks a bit messy at this stage; it is all part of the process!
Step 4: Add Remaining Flour and Knead
With the mixer running (or if kneading by hand), gradually add the remaining flour, about 1/4 cup at a time. Keep going until the dough mostly pulls away from the sides of the bowl, but still feels a little sticky to the touch. Knead for a few more minutes until it is smooth and elastic. This ensures a wonderfully soft roll.
Step 5: First Rise
Cover your dough bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Find a warm spot in your kitchen and let the dough rise until it has doubled in size. This usually takes about an hour. Patience is a virtue here for fluffy rolls!
Step 6: Prepare for Rolling
Once risen, gently punch down the dough to release the gases. Knead it briefly to bring it back into a nice, manageable ball. Let it rest for a few minutes while you get your filling ready. This little rest makes the dough easier to roll.
Step 7: Roll and Fill
Lightly flour a clean surface. Roll out the dough into a rectangle, roughly 12 by 17 inches. Spread the melted butter evenly over the entire surface of the rolled dough. Then, generously sprinkle over the brown sugar and ground cinnamon. This is where all that amazing flavor comes from!
Step 8: Roll into a Log and Cut
Starting from one of the long ends, gently but firmly roll up the dough into a tight log. Use a sharp knife or unscented floss to trim off the ends for a clean edge. Then, carefully cut the log into 11 even rolls. You want them all about the same size for even baking.
Step 9: Shape Your Christmas Tree
Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Now for the fun part! Arrange your 11 rolls on the pan to create a Christmas tree shape. Start with 1 roll at the top, then 2 rolls in the next row, 3 rolls in the third, 4 rolls in the fourth, and finally, 1 roll at the very bottom for the trunk. Leave a little space, about 1 1/2 to 2 inches, between each roll.
Step 10: Second Rise and Bake
Cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap and let the rolls rise again in a warm spot for about 20 to 30 minutes, or until they have doubled in size. While they are rising, preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls for approximately 22 to 25 minutes, or until they are beautifully golden brown and smell absolutely irresistible.
Step 11: Make the Frosting
While the rolls are baking or cooling slightly, it is time to make that luscious frosting. In a bowl, beat together the room temperature unsalted butter, cream cheese (also at room temperature), sifted powdered sugar, and 2 to 3 tablespoons of milk or eggnog with an electric mixer. Beat until it is wonderfully smooth and creamy.
Step 12: Frost and Serve
Once the cinnamon rolls are out of the oven, let them cool for a few minutes, or completely, depending on your preference. Spread that glorious frosting generously over the warm or cooled rolls. If you are feeling extra festive, sprinkle on some holiday sprinkles. Serve these amazing Christmas Breakfast Ideas warm with coffee or hot chocolate, maybe even some beef bacon or chicken sausage for a complete holiday meal. Enjoy!
How To Store Leftovers
Let us be real, leftovers might be a rare sight with these delicious rolls! But if you do happen to have any, they are best enjoyed the day they are baked. However, you can keep them at room temperature for a few days in an airtight container. Just be sure they are completely cooled before storing them away.
If you want to enjoy them warm again, a quick zap in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds works wonders. They will be soft and gooey just like fresh from the oven. This makes them a perfect easy reach for a quick bite the day after your big Christmas Morning Breakfast.
Tips
Here is the thing about baking: a few simple tips can make all the difference. For starters, a large rimless cookie sheet pan is ideal for keeping that lovely tree shape intact. But do not fret if you only have a rimmed pan; it will still work just fine for your Christmas Food Recipes.
Want to get ahead of the game? You absolutely can make these rolls ahead of time! Shape the rolls and arrange them on the sheet pan, then cover them tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, simply let the pan come to room temperature while your oven preheats, then bake as directed. This is a lifesaver for busy Holiday Breakfast Ideas planning!
Another little trick: make sure your butter and cream cheese for the frosting are truly at room temperature. This will give you the smoothest, creamiest frosting imaginable, making your Christmas Breakfast Ideas even more delightful. And do not be shy with the holiday sprinkles; they add such a fun, festive touch!
Conclusion
So there you have it: a truly special, yet surprisingly easy, recipe for cinnamon roll Christmas trees. These are more than just a sweet treat; they are a delightful centerpiece for your holiday table and a wonderful way to kick off your Christmas Morning Breakfast festivities. Imagine the smiles when everyone sees this edible tree!
Whether you are a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe is incredibly forgiving and yields fantastic results every time. It is one of those comforting Christmas Food Recipes that will become a cherished tradition for your family. Give it a try this year and make your Christmas Breakfast Ideas dreams come true!
FAQ
Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?
Yes, absolutely! This recipe specifically calls for Red Star Active Dry Yeast. Just make sure your milk and butter mixture is at the correct temperature (120 130°F) to activate it properly. It is perfect for these Christmas Breakfast Ideas.
What if I do not have a stand mixer?
No problem at all! You can mix and knead the dough by hand in a large bowl. It might take a little more elbow grease, but the results will be just as wonderful. It is a true labor of love for your Christmas Morning Breakfast.
Can I make these gluten free?
While this specific recipe uses all purpose flour, you can experiment with a 1 to 1 gluten free baking flour blend. Results may vary slightly in texture, but it is worth a try for alternative Holiday Breakfast Ideas.
How do I know when the dough has risen enough?
For the first rise, the dough should visually double in size. For the second rise, the rolls should look puffy and noticeably larger. You can also gently poke the dough; if the indentation slowly springs back, it is ready for baking. This is key for fluffy Christmas Food Recipes.
Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree
This festive Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree is the perfect, easy-to-make treat for a special holiday morning. Warm, gooey, and topped with creamy frosting, it’s a no-fuss recipe that brings maximum joy to your Christmas breakfast.
Requirements
Ingredients
For the Dough
For the Filling
For the Frosting
Instructions
- In a saucepan, gently warm the whole milk and unsalted butter over medium-low heat until the butter melts and the mixture reaches 120-130°F.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine 1 1/2 cups of flour, sugar, salt, and active dry yeast. Whisk to combine.
- Pour the warm milk mixture and the egg into the dry ingredients. Mix until a wet, shaggy dough forms.
- Gradually add the remaining flour while mixing until the dough pulls away from the sides but is still slightly sticky. Knead for a few minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the risen dough and knead briefly. Let it rest for a few minutes while you prepare the filling.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a rectangle, roughly 12 by 17 inches. Spread the melted butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle with brown sugar and ground cinnamon.
- Starting from a long end, roll the dough into a tight log. Use a sharp knife to trim the ends, then cut the log into 11 even rolls.
- Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Arrange the rolls on the pan to create a Christmas tree shape (1 at top, then rows of 2, 3, 4, and 1 for the trunk). Leave 1-2 inches between rolls.
- Cover the pan and let the rolls rise again in a warm spot for 20-30 minutes. While rising, preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake for 22-25 minutes until golden brown.
- While the rolls bake, make the frosting. In a bowl, beat together the room temperature butter, cream cheese, sifted powdered sugar, and milk or eggnog until smooth and creamy.
- Let the rolls cool for a few minutes, then spread the frosting generously over them. Add holiday sprinkles if desired and serve warm.
Notes
For the smoothest, creamiest frosting, make sure your butter and cream cheese are truly at room temperature before mixing.
To make ahead, prepare the rolls up to step 9. Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, let them come to room temperature while the oven preheats, then bake as directed.
Don’t be shy with the holiday sprinkles! They add a wonderfully fun and festive touch that everyone will love.
Nutrition
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