Name: Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 2 h
Yield: 1 dz.
Ingredients: 4 1/2 c. all-purpose flour, plus more as needed; 1/2 c. granulated sugar; 1 (1 1/4-oz.) packet Fleischmann's RapidRise Yeast; 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt; 3 large eggs, beaten; 3/4 c. milk, very warm (120°-130°, microwaved for about 40 seconds); 6 tbsp. butter, melted, divided; 1/2 c. packed brown sugar; 2 tbsp. ground cinnamon; Cooking spray; 1/2 (8-oz.) block cream cheese, softened; 1 1/2 c. powdered sugar; 2 -3 tbsp. heavy cream; 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract; Red, green, chocolate, and gold sprinkles, for decorating

Step 1In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Add eggs, warm milk, and 4 tablespoons melted butter and keep stirring until dough begins to become cohesive.

Step 2Transfer dough to a floured work surface and knead, adding more flour if dough feels sticky, until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Cover with a clean dish towel and let rest 10 minutes.

Step 3In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar and cinnamon. Line a large baking sheet with parchment and grease with cooking spray.

Step 4Roll out rested dough into a large, 1/4-inch-thick rectangle, about 18 to 20 inches long. Spread with remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter and sprinkle all over with brown sugar mixture, gently pressing in mixture, leaving ¼” border. Roll up dough tightly, lengthwise, then cut into 12 rolls. Place rolls cut-side-up on prepared baking sheet in the shape of a tree, with 1 roll at the base for the trunk, then in a 4, 3, 2, 1 formation, and 1 on top as the “star.” Cover again and let rise until doubled in size, 1 hour.

Step 5Toward the end of the rise, preheat oven to 375°. Once dough has doubled in size, bake until puffy and golden, about 15 minutes. Let cool slightly on a wire rack.

Step 6Meanwhile, make cream cheese glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together cream cheese, powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons heavy cream, and vanilla until smooth. (Add 1 tablespoon more heavy cream depending on desired consistency.) Drizzle glaze all over rolls, top “tree” area with red and green sprinkles, “trunk” area with chocolate sprinkles, and “star” area with gold sprinkles and serve.

Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree

Ingredients

For the cinnamon rolls

For the cream cheese glaze

Directions

Fleischmann's Rapid Rise Yeast

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