Name: Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree Pull-Apart
Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 85 min
Yield: 18 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour; 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 3/4 cup warm whole milk; 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter; 1 large egg; 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter (filling); 1 cup packed light brown sugar; 2 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon; 1 cup powdered sugar; 2-3 tablespoons milk; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

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If you are looking for a holiday breakfast that gets gasps before anyone even takes a bite, this cinnamon roll christmas tree pull-apart is it. Soft, gooey cinnamon rolls are arranged into the shape of a festive evergreen, baked until golden, then drizzled with glaze and showered in sprinkles. My kids call it edible Christmas magic, and honestly, I could not have said it better myself.

The beauty of this recipe is that it is as fun to assemble as it is to eat, and it works whether you are a from-scratch baker or a proud user of the store-bought shortcut. There is no judgment here, it is the holidays. Whether you are sipping cocoa in your pajamas or bringing a showstopper to a cozy brunch, this pull-apart tree brings a little extra sparkle to the morning, rolling pins optional.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This is the kind of centerpiece that makes a holiday morning feel like an event. It looks impressive sitting in the middle of the table, all glazed and golden and shaped like a Christmas tree, yet it is genuinely approachable to make. Soft, gooey cinnamon rolls with caramelized edges are always a crowd-pleaser, and the tree shape turns them into something memorable.

It is also wonderfully family-friendly. Little hands love helping to roll, fill, and especially decorate, making it a recipe that becomes part of the tradition rather than just the menu. Decorating the tree with sprinkles, candies, or a sugar star is half the joy, and it keeps everyone involved and excited.

Finally, the timing is flexible. You can make the dough completely from scratch for that homemade flavor, or reach for cans of store-bought cinnamon rolls when time is tight. Either way, you can assemble the whole thing the night before and bake it fresh in the morning, so you get maximum wow with minimum stress.

Ingredients

For the homemade dough, you will need 3 1/2 to 4 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 1/4 teaspoons of active dry yeast which is one packet, 1/4 cup of granulated sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. The wet ingredients are 3/4 cup of warm whole milk heated to 110 to 115 degrees, 4 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter, and 1 large egg to bring it all together into a soft, pillowy dough.

The cinnamon filling is where the magic happens, made with 1/2 cup of melted unsalted butter, 1 cup of packed light brown sugar, and 2 1/2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon. Brushing the butter over the rolled dough and sprinkling the cinnamon-sugar evenly is what creates those signature gooey swirls in every roll.

To finish, you will whisk a simple glaze from 1 cup of powdered sugar, 2 to 3 tablespoons of milk, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract. If you are short on time, skip the dough entirely and use 2 to 3 cans of store-bought cinnamon rolls, then jump straight to shaping your tree.

Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree Pull Apart Recipe for Holiday Treats ingredients

Step-by-Step Instructions

If you are making the dough from scratch, start by combining the warm milk with 1 teaspoon of the sugar and the yeast in a small bowl, letting it sit until foamy, about 5 to 10 minutes. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, remaining sugar, and salt, then add the melted butter, egg, and foamy yeast mixture. Stir, then knead on a floured surface for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth, and let it rise in a greased bowl until doubled, roughly 60 to 75 minutes.

While the dough rises, prep the filling by melting the 1/2 cup of butter and mixing the brown sugar with the cinnamon in a separate bowl. A little orange zest grated right into the sugar mix adds a lovely, zingy twist if you want to dress it up.

Roll the dough into a large rectangle about 1/4-inch thick, brush it generously with the melted butter, and sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the top. Roll it tightly into a log and slice into pieces about 3/4 to 1 inch thick. On a parchment-lined sheet pan, arrange the rolls into a tree shape, with 1 roll at the top, then rows of 2, 3, 4, and 5, adding a roll or two at the bottom center as a trunk if you like.

If you used homemade dough, cover the tree loosely and let it rise for 20 to 30 minutes until puffy. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 18 to 25 minutes, rotating once halfway through, until the rolls are golden brown and sound slightly hollow when tapped in the center. Leave a little space between the rolls so they can puff into that clean tree shape as they bake.

While the tree bakes, whisk the powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk together until smooth and glossy, adjusting the consistency to your liking. Drizzle the glaze over the warm tree, then add sprinkles, a pinch of flaky salt, or a decorative sugar star at the top. Let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before pulling it apart and serving.

Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree Pull Apart Recipe for Holiday Treats

Tips for the Best Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree

The most important shaping tip is to give the rolls a little breathing room on the pan, since packing them too tightly prevents them from puffing into a defined tree shape. If you are using store-bought dough, unroll and re-roll it a bit tighter to get that more homemade look, and do not forget that a wine bottle makes a perfectly good stand-in when you cannot find your rolling pin.

Glaze consistency is your styling tool, so mix it thicker for defined white snow-like drizzle or thinner for a glossy finish. If you love this cozy, cinnamon-forward style of baking, our crockpot cinnamon roll casserole is a hands-off favorite, and our cinnamon roll French toast bake is another easy holiday brunch winner.

This tree is also easy to customize. Fold chopped pecans, raisins, or cranberries into the filling, use plant-based milk and vegan butter for a dairy-free version, or tint the glaze lightly green for a frosted evergreen effect. You can assemble the whole tree the night before and bake it straight from the fridge, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can fully prep and shape the tree up to 24 hours in advance. Cover it well and refrigerate, then bake straight from the fridge, adding about 5 to 10 extra minutes to the baking time.

Can I freeze it?
Absolutely. Freeze the baked but unglazed rolls in a single layer, then reheat at 300 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes. Add the glaze just before serving for the freshest look.

How many rolls do I need?
At least 15 rolls makes a classic triangle of 1 plus 2 plus 3 plus 4 plus 5. Add a 6-roll row or a trunk at the bottom for a larger tree, or trim the bottom rows and use mini rolls for a smaller one.

Can I really use store-bought cinnamon rolls?
You can, and it is a fantastic shortcut. Use 2 to 3 cans, arrange them into the tree shape, bake according to the can instructions, and finish with the included icing or your own glaze.

Why did my rolls bake together into a blob?
They were most likely placed too close together. Leave small gaps between the rolls so they have room to expand and keep their individual, pull-apart tree shape.

For more ways to keep your holiday table balanced and bright, browse these healthy eating ideas. And when you build your own edible Christmas tree, tag @thekitchensaid on Instagram so we can see your holiday masterpiece.

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