Imagine waking up on a crisp Christmas morning to the most irresistible aroma of warm, gooey cinnamon rolls shaped like a holiday wreath! These aren't just any ordinary breakfast treat - they're a festive masterpiece that will transform your kitchen into a winter wonderland of deliciousness. With their perfectly swirled cinnamon center and cheerful holiday sprinkles, these rolls are guaranteed to bring joy, excitement, and mouthwatering delight to your entire family's holiday celebration.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12 rolls
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 packet instant yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup milk (warm)
- 1/4 cup butter (melted)
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon
- 1/4 cup green and red sprinkles (for decoration)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk, melted butter, and sugar. Sprinkle the instant yeast over the mixture and let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy.
- Add the egg to the yeast mixture and whisk until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft, sticky dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 7-8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Once risen, punch down the dough and roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle, approximately 12x18 inches.
- Sprinkle the entire surface evenly with ground cinnamon, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Roll the dough tightly from the long side, creating a log. Cut the log into 12 equal pieces.
- Arrange the rolls in a circular wreath shape on a greased baking sheet, slightly touching each other.
- Cover the rolls and let them rise again for 30 minutes in a warm place.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with green and red holiday sprinkles.
- Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. The rolls can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.
Tips
- Ensure your milk is warm (not hot) when activating the yeast to prevent killing the yeast cultures.
- Let the dough rise in a draft-free, warm area like near a preheated oven for optimal volume.
- Use a sharp knife or dental floss to cut the rolls for clean, even slices.
- For extra softness, brush the rolls with melted butter before and after baking.
- If you want a more pronounced wreath shape, slightly angle the rolls when arranging them on the baking sheet.
- For best results, use fresh, high-quality ground cinnamon.
- Don't overbake - golden brown is the perfect color for tender, soft rolls.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 38g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 35mg
