These Santa Cinnamon Rolls are a fun holiday twist on classic cinnamon rolls. The soft and gooey breakfast treats are decorated to look like Santa hats to bring in some holiday cheer.
This recipe was tested using store-bought refrigerated cinnamon rolls for convenience. The rolls bake perfectly soft and golden, and shaping them into triangles before baking gives them that signature Santa hat look.
They’re easy, creative, and bring so much fun to the breakfast table. Even little kids can help decorate their own Santa faces which makes the whole thing that much more fun.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Notes
- 8-count package cinnamon rolls – Refrigerated rolls make this recipe quick and foolproof.
- Icing – Use store bough icing or cream cheese frosting.
- Red food coloring – Used to turn the icing into Santa hats.
- Marshmallows – Cut in half to make the fluffy pom-pom on each Santa roll.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
How To Make Santa Cinnamon Rolls
See below for a full list of ingredients and detailed instructions.
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2
Place the cinnamon rolls on the prepared baking sheet about 1 inch apart. Use your hands to gently shape each roll into a triangle to resemble Santa hats.
Step 3
Bake for 11-13 minutes until golden brown. If the rolls spread out during baking, press them back into a triangle shape with two spatulas while still warm.
Step 4
Let the cinnamon rolls cool completely. Spread a line of white icing along the bottom of each triangle. Tint the remaining icing red and cover the rest of the roll.
Step 5
Cut marshmallows in half and press one piece onto the top of each roll for Santa’s pom-pom. Serve immediately and enjoy your festive cinnamon roll idea!
Substitutions & Variations
- Frosting Choices – Try vanilla, buttercream, or even homemade cream cheese frosting.
- Gluten-Free Rolls – Use gluten-free refrigerated cinnamon rolls if needed.
- Extra Decorations – Add chocolate chips for eyes or shredded coconut for Santa’s beard to make Santa cinnamon rolls. Sprinkle with red sanding sugar for a fun shimmer.
- Big Batch – Double the recipe for holiday brunch or a Christmas party platter.
- If you’re making these for a party, decorate them the night before and store them in a cool spot (not the fridge) so the icing stays soft. For a fun variation, try using strawberry frosting for a pink Santa twist!
What To Serve with Santa Cinnamon Rolls
These Santa cinnamon rolls make the cutest Christmas breakfast centerpiece. Serve them with a platter of fresh fruit, hot cocoa, or peppermint lattes for the adults.
Storing & Reheating
- Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Reheat: Warm gently in the microwave for 10–15 seconds before serving.
FAQs
Definitely. Homemade dough works just as well, but refrigerated rolls save time during busy holiday mornings.
Keep decorated rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
You can. Red works best for Santa, but green, white, or even pink can be fun for other holiday themes.
Make sure not to overbake them. Let them cool slightly before covering to help trap moisture and keep them soft.
Cream cheese icing gives a tangy, rich flavor, while regular white icing makes them extra sweet. Either one works great for this recipe.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Christmas Present Brownies
- Vanilla Wafer Santa Treats
- Heath Bar Mini Bundt Cakes with Pecans
- Walnut Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball
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Santa Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
- 8 count package cinnamon rolls
- 1 container white or cream cheese icing
- red food coloring
- 4 marshmallows
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Unroll the cinnamon roll package and put the individual cinnamon rolls on a baking sheet.
- Use your hands to shape each cinnamon roll into a triangle shape, then bake for 11 to 13 minutes, until golden brown.
- If the cinnamon rolls spread as the bake, use two spatulas to press the rolls back into the triangle shape immediately after removing them from the oven while they’re still hot.
- Allow the cinnamon rolls to cool to room temperature.
- Spread a line of white icing along the bottom of each triangle, then tint the remaining icing with red food coloring.
- Spreadthe red icing over the rest of the cinnamon roll.
- Cut each marshmallow in half with scissors and press it into the top of each roll before serving.
