The Perfect Holiday Treat: Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree
The holiday season is a time filled with joy, warmth, and delicious treats that bring families and friends together. One delightful and visually stunning treat that has become increasingly popular in recent years is Cinnamon Roll Christmas tree. These festive pastries not only taste heavenly but also add a touch of holiday magic to your table.
Whether you’re hosting a holiday brunch or simply want to surprise your loved ones with a special treat, these cinnamon rolls are sure to become a beloved tradition in your home.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree
To make delicious Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree, you’ll need a handful of simple ingredients that are easily accessible. The key components include all-purpose flour, yeast, milk, butter, sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Additionally, you can add vanilla extract or orange zest to enhance the flavors and create a more aromatic experience.
Making the dough: Start by activating the yeast in warm milk and allowing it to proof. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Once the yeast mixture is frothy, gradually incorporate it into the dry ingredients. Knead the dough until it becomes soft and elastic.
Rolling out the dough: On a floured surface, roll out the dough into a large rectangle, approximately ¼ inch thick. Be sure to create a uniform shape and thickness.
Adding the filling: Melt butter and brush it evenly over the rolled-out dough. Sprinkle a generous amount of cinnamon and sugar mixture on top, ensuring even coverage.
Rolling the dough: Starting from the longer side, tightly roll the dough into a log shape. Slice the log into individual rolls, about 1 inch thick.
Shaping the rolls into a Christmas tree: Take each roll and place them in the shape of a triangle on your baking sheet. Don’t forget to add a single roll to the bottom for the tree stump!
Baking and glazing: Preheat the oven to the recommended temperature and bake the rolls until golden brown. While they cool slightly, prepare a simple glaze by mixing powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Drizzle the glaze over the warm cinnamon rolls, allowing it to cascade down the sides.
Creative Decorating Ideas for Your Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree
Once you have your Christmas tree cinnamon rolls baked and glazed, it’s time to get creative with the decorations. Here are a few ideas to make your cinnamon rolls even more festive:
- Festive sprinkles: Add a sprinkle of red and green sugar crystals over the glaze for a vibrant and joyful touch.
- Edible ornaments: Use small candies or colored icing to create edible ornaments on the cinnamon roll Christmas tree. Get creative with different shapes and colors to make them look like real Christmas decorations.
- Frosting garlands: Use colored frostings, such as green or red, to create garlands draping from one side of the tree to the other. You can use a piping bag or a small plastic bag with the corner snipped off to pipe the frosting onto the rolls in a zigzag pattern.
- Candied fruit “lights”: Place small pieces of candied fruit, such as cherries or citrus peels, at regular intervals along the branches to resemble Christmas lights.
- Powdered sugar snow: Dust the entire surface of the cinnamon rolls with powdered sugar to give them a snowy appearance.
- Marzipan stars: Shape marzipan into small stars and place them on the top of each cinnamon roll tree to add a whimsical touch.
Christmas tree cinnamon rolls are not only a delicious treat but also a delightful way to infuse the holiday spirit into your baking. From their humble origins to the creative decorating possibilities, these festive pastries bring joy to both the eyes and the taste buds. Whether you decide to make them for a special Christmas morning breakfast or as a centerpiece for a holiday dessert table, Christmas tree cinnamon rolls are sure to become a cherished tradition in your home.
Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree
Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
For the filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
For the glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
- In a small saucepan, heat the milk until it is warm (around 110°F). Remove from heat and add the melted butter. Stir until the butter is melted and the mixture is warm.
- Add the milk mixture and eggs to the dry ingredients. Mix until well combined.
- Gradually add the remaining cup of flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough comes together and is no longer sticky.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Allow it to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick.
- Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle the mixture over the butter.
- Starting from one of the longer sides, tightly roll up the dough into a log. Cut the log into equal-sized rolls, about 1 inch thick.
- Place the rolls in a greased baking dish, leaving a little space between each roll. Cover with a kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cinnamon rolls for 20-25 minutes, or until they turn golden brown.
- While the rolls are baking, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Once the rolls are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. Drizzle the glaze over the warm rolls.
- Serve the cinnamon rolls warm and enjoy!
Notes
You can also add chopped nuts, raisins, or other desired toppings to the filling before rolling the dough for additional flavor and texture.
Take the time to gather the ingredients, follow the step-by-step instructions, and let your creativity shine through the decoration process. The result will be a beautiful and scrumptious treat that will captivate both children and adults alike. So, this holiday season, embrace the magic of Christmas tree cinnamon rolls and create memories that will last a lifetime. Happy baking and happy holidays!
