When Christmas morning arrives, nothing feels quite as magical as a warm tray of Christmas cinnamon rolls fresh from the oven. The scent of cinnamon, butter, vanilla, and sweet icing fills the house instantly creating that nostalgic holiday comfort we wait for all year. Whether you’re hosting Christmas brunch, preparing a cozy Christmas morning breakfast, or looking for fun ways to upgrade store-bought dough, these festive rolls bring joy, warmth, and tradition to the table.
I still remember the first time I baked a batch of Christmas cinnamon rolls from scratch on Christmas morning. Snowflakes drifted outside the window, soft holiday music played in the background, and the living room glowed with lights. When the rolls came out golden, soft, and dripping with melty icing everyone ran to the kitchen. It became our yearly tradition. Over time, we added creative twists like red velvet cinnamon rolls, adorable Christmas tree cinnamon rolls, and even easy canned cinnamon roll ideas for busy mornings.
This guide combines classic flavors with holiday fun, giving you everything you need to prepare the best Christmas cinnamon rolls this festive season.
Why These Christmas Cinnamon Rolls Are a Holiday Favorite
These rolls are special for so many reasons:
- Perfect for Christmas morning breakfast cozy, sweet, and kid-approved
- Customizable with creative shapes and colors
- Beginner-friendly choose from scratch or canned dough
- Fun Christmas-themed variations like red velvet cinnamon rolls
- Beautifully festive for brunches, parties, and edible gifts
- Make-ahead friendly, so you can enjoy more time with family
Whether you’re serving two people or a full holiday crowd, these cinnamon rolls always shine.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup warm milk
- 1 packet instant yeast
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
For the Cinnamon Filling
- 1/2 cup softened butter
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tbsp cinnamon
- Optional: 1/4 tsp nutmeg for a holiday twist
Cream Cheese Icing
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2–3 tbsp milk (for consistency)
How to Make Christmas Cinnamon Rolls
Prepare the Dough
Combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let stand 5 minutes. Mix with egg, butter, flour, salt, and vanilla until a soft dough forms. Knead until smooth and let rise for 1 hour.
Fill the Rolls
Roll the dough into a rectangle. Spread with softened butter, then sprinkle cinnamon and brown sugar.
Shape & Slice
Roll into a log and slice into 12 rolls.
Second Rise
Place rolls in a baking dish and let rise for 30–45 minutes.
Bake
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 22–25 minutes until lightly golden.
Add Icing
Spread icing while warm for the perfect melt.
These classic Christmas cinnamon rolls are soft, buttery, and incredibly cozy a true holiday staple.
Festive Christmas Cinnamon Roll Variations
Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls
One of the trendiest holiday twists. Add cocoa powder and red food coloring to the dough, then frost with cream cheese icing. The red-and-white swirl looks stunning on a Christmas brunch table.
Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls
Arrange rolls into a Christmas tree shape:
- 1 at the top
- 2 in the next row
- 3 below that
- 4 at the bottom
Add a “trunk” using a small cinnamon roll. Decorate with sprinkles as ornaments.
Canned Cinnamon Roll Ideas
Perfect for busy mornings or cooking with kids:
- Christmas wreath cinnamon rolls
- Snowflake cinnamon rolls
- Marshmallow-stuffed rolls
- Santa-hat rolls with strawberry tops
- Pull-apart Christmas tree made from canned dough
Using canned dough means your Christmas morning breakfast can be ready in under 20 minutes with zero prep.
Cranberry Orange Cinnamon Rolls
Mix orange zest and dried cranberries into the filling for a bright, festive flavor.
Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls
Add ground ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and molasses for a classic Christmas flavor twist.
How to Make Christmas Cinnamon Rolls Ahead of Time
Preparing these rolls in advance makes Christmas morning stress-free:
Make-Ahead Options
- Refrigerator Rise (Overnight Rolls)
Assemble the rolls, cover with foil, and refrigerate overnight.
In the morning, let them sit at room temperature for 45 minutes before baking. - Freezer Method
Freeze unbaked rolls after slicing. Defrost overnight and bake fresh. - Bake & Freeze
Bake completely, cool, freeze, and thaw the night before serving.
This ensures warm Christmas cinnamon rolls without early-morning prep.
How to Serve Christmas Cinnamon Rolls
Print
Christmas Cinnamon Rolls – Soft, Cozy & Festive Holiday Treat
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 rolls 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
- Soft, buttery Christmas cinnamon rolls made from scratch or using canned dough. Perfect for cozy mornings with festive twists.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup warm milk
- 1 packet instant yeast
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup softened butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp cinnamon
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2–3 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let sit 5 minutes.
- Mix with egg, butter, flour, salt, and vanilla until a soft dough forms.
- Knead dough until smooth. Let rise for 1 hour.
- Roll dough into a rectangle and spread with softened butter.
- Sprinkle cinnamon and brown sugar evenly.
- Roll into a log and slice into 12 rolls.
- Place in baking dish and let rise 30–45 minutes.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 22–25 minutes.
- Mix icing ingredients and spread over warm rolls.
Notes
- Optional: Add nutmeg or orange zest for a festive flavor.
- Make ahead by refrigerating overnight before baking.
- Top with sprinkles or crushed candy canes for decoration.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Make your cinnamon rolls even more special with festive toppings and sides.
Holiday Topping Ideas
- Red and green sprinkles
- Crushed candy canes
- Cream cheese icing drizzled like garlands
- White chocolate drizzle
- Fresh raspberries or strawberries
Serve With
- Hot chocolate
- Coffee or festive lattes
- Fresh fruit platter
- Holiday egg casserole
- Bacon or sausage for a complete Christmas morning breakfast
How to Store & Reheat
Refrigerate:
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freeze:
Freeze baked or unbaked rolls for up to 2 months.
Reheat:
Microwave each roll for 15–20 seconds or warm the whole tray in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10 minutes.
For more recipes Follow me in Pinterest
FAQs About Christmas Cinnamon Rolls
Can I use canned cinnamon rolls?
Yes! They’re great for quick canned cinnamon roll ideas and kid-friendly decorating.
How do I make the rolls extra soft?
Use whole milk and let the dough rise fully.
Can I add food coloring to the icing?
Absolutely red and green icing makes the rolls extra festive.
What’s the best way to keep Christmas cinnamon rolls warm?
Cover with foil and keep in a warm oven (not turned on) until serving.
Can I make vegan or gluten-free versions?
Yes swap butter for vegan butter and use gluten-free baking flour.
Conclusion
Christmas cinnamon rolls are more than a recipe they’re a festive holiday tradition filled with warmth, nostalgia, and sweet comfort. Whether you’re baking classic rolls from scratch, creating adorable Christmas tree cinnamon rolls, or using quick canned cinnamon roll ideas, these treats bring joy to every Christmas morning. Make them simple or festive, colorful or classic either way, they’ll become a holiday favorite your family looks forward to year after year.