Christmas morning is a time of many things. Cozy holiday pajamas, family snuggles, the sound of gift wrapping being torn open by new treasures, and, if you’re lucky, a fresh coat of white snow outside your window. (We’re dead last down here in Texas, but a girl can hope.) One thing on Christmas morning not why? Spending the whole AM ​​in the kitchen. Enter the easy Christmas cake rolls.
Christmas morning is the most magical time to spend in front of the stove. Now, if you’re one of those domestic goddesses who can’t whip out a family-sized breakfast before 7am, respect. I, however, am not one of those people. In a house full of happy people, I’m often one of the last to get out of bed (no offense, Santa), but I’m one of the first to ask them. what’s for breakfast? These easy Christmas morning cinnamon rolls are the answer.
Store-bought puff pastry sheets are what bring the magic to this recipe. They are incredibly easy to work with and bake up insanely delicious flakeys. I can’t say enough about these guys. From breakfast buns to bite-sized appetizers, to baked brie, frozen puff pastry is my kitchen’s best-kept secret. In this recipe, we fill the pastry with butter (yes), sugar, the aroma of orange zest, and warm winter spices. Roll them up, bake until golden and toasted, too voilà you have an extra special breakfast cake, perfect for the most special day of the year, in about 30 minutes. Enjoy!
Why Puff Pastry Rolls Are the Ultimate Crowd Pleaser
There’s something undeniably magical about puff pastry—it transforms even the simplest ingredients into something show-stopping. These cinnamon-sugar puff pastry rolls prove it. The buttery, flaky exterior gives way to a swirl of warm spices, sweet brown sugar, and a bright orange zest. Each bite strikes the perfect balance between comfort and convenience, making these rolls perfect for breakfast, brunch, or any occasion treat that feels special without requiring hours of effort. They’re the kind of treat that looks like you spent all day in the kitchen, but thanks to the frozen puff pastry, you’ll be drinking coffee while you bake.
What makes these puff pastry rolls universally loved is their versatility. Whether you’re popping them in the oven on Christmas morning, adding them as a delicious addition to your holiday dinner table, or sharing them with friends over coffee, they always get there. The magic happens in the details: massaging the orange zest in sugar to release its natural oils, letting the butter and cinnamon melt through all the loose layers, and finishing with a dip in cinnamon sugar for that irresistible, caramelized crunch. Incredibly beautiful and extremely flavorful, these rolls are guaranteed to please you—no matter what.
Many Puff Pastry Recipes We Love
When it comes to puff pastry, the options are endless.
Spinach Artichoke Tarts
Tarte Soleil
Plum Ginger Thyme Tart
Peach Turnovers recorded
These puff pastry rolls are perfect—and even better when served with our favorite comfort food recipes.
This post was last updated on October 24, 2024
This post was updated on September 02, 2024
A classic brunch leveled up.
This post was updated on September 02, 2024
Work with what you have.
For volumes:
- 4 tablespoons granulated sugar, separated
- 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon orange zest (approx 1 small orange)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 spoon ground clove
- 1 box of frozen puff pastry, thawed but still cold
- 4 tablespoons butter, at room temperature, separated
For the cinnamon-sugar topping:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar + 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, mixed well
- Preheat the oven to 450 F and generously grease a muffin tin. Set aside.
- To make the sugar mixture for the filling, combine 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, brown sugar, zest and spices in a small bowl. Use your fingers to massage the zest into the sugar to release the oil (and flavor!). Set aside.
- Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of sugar on a clean table. Unfold 1 sheet of puff pastry over the sugar and press gently with a rolling pin to ensure it is flat and the sugar starts to stick.
- Spread 2 tablespoons of butter over the puff pastry, then sprinkle half of the sugar mixture, making sure the entire sheet is covered. Roll again with a rolling pin to ensure that the sugar sticks to the butter.
- Turn the puff pastry so that the short side is facing you, and roll into a tight roll. Cut into 6 equal pieces and place each roll in a greased muffin tin. Repeat the process with the second sheet of puff pastry.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Once baked, place the muffin tin on the cooling rack to cool for 5-10 minutes, then remove and allow to cool for another 5 minutes. Don’t let the buns cool in the pan for too long or the melted caramelized sugar will start to harden and stick.
- To finish the buns, dip the tops of the buns in cinnamon sugar and serve warm.