Oh, Christmas morning! That magical time when the house is quiet, maybe a little chilly, and all you want is something warm, sweet, and utterly comforting to kick off the day. For years, I’ve dreamed up the perfect holiday breakfast, something that feels special without keeping me stuck in the kitchen while the magic happens. And let me tell you, I’ve landed on it! This recipe for The Ultimate Christmas Morning Cinnamon Roll Bake is a game-changer. It takes those beloved canned cinnamon rolls and transforms them into a decadent, gooey, and totally irresistible treat with hardly any fuss. Trust me, it smells *amazing* while it bakes!
Why You’ll Love The Ultimate Christmas Morning Cinnamon Roll Bake
This bake is an absolute lifesaver for busy holiday mornings. Here’s why it’ll become your new favorite:
- Super Easy: Seriously, it uses store-bought cinnamon rolls, so you skip all the tricky dough-making. Just a little chopping and pouring!
- Fast Prep: You can have this ready for the oven in about 15 minutes. That means more time for presents and cuddles.
- Irresistibly Delicious: Warm, gooey cinnamon and sugar, a caramel-y butter sauce, and a sweet glaze? Yes, please! It’s pure comfort.
- Festive & Fun: It smells and looks like a holiday morning deserves. Perfect for making those special moments even sweeter.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Who doesn’t love cinnamon rolls? This baked version is perfect for feeding a crowd without a fuss.
Gather Your Ingredients for The Ultimate Christmas Morning Cinnamon Roll Bake
Alright, let’s get our ingredients ready! This is the beauty of this recipe – it uses stuff you likely already have or can grab super easily. You’ll need:
- 1 (12.7 ounce) package refrigerated cinnamon roll tubes: The star of the show! The ones with the cream cheese icing packets are great, but you can totally use the plain ones and we’ll make our own yummy glaze.
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted: Make sure it’s fully melted so it coats everything nicely.
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar: Packing it means you get the right amount of sweetness and that lovely caramel flavor.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: For that classic warm, spicy goodness.
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional): If you’re a nut lover, these add a lovely crunch! Walnuts are great too, or skip ‘em if you prefer.
- 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk: This is our secret weapon for a super rich and smooth glaze.
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar – essential for that sweet, creamy glaze.
- 1 tablespoon milk: Just a splash to get the glaze to the perfect drizzly consistency.
Essential Equipment for Your Cinnamon Roll Bake
Before we dive into the fun part, let’s make sure you’ve got the right tools. Having these ready makes the whole process smoother, so you can just focus on that delicious smell filling your kitchen. You’ll need:
- A trusty 9×13 inch baking dish.
- A couple of small bowls for mixing up our magic sauces.
- A whisk or a fork to get those mixtures just right.
- A handy spatula or spoon for spreading.
Step-by-Step Guide to The Ultimate Christmas Morning Cinnamon Roll Bake
Okay, now for the fun part! This is where the magic really happens, and honestly, it’s so simple you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it every holiday. Grab your baking dish and let’s get this amazing cinnamon roll bake going!
Preparing the Cinnamon Roll Base
First things first, crank up your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating, give your trusty 9×13 inch baking dish a good grease-up. This is super important so nothing sticks later! Now, open those cinnamon roll tubes and set the rolls aside. You’ll want to cut each of those ooey-gooey rolls into quarters. Don’t worry about them being perfect little shapes; just cut them up and arrange them in a single layer in your prepared dish. They’ll puff up and meld together as they bake, which is exactly what we want!
Creating the Flavorful Butter Mixture
Grab a small bowl and toss in your melted butter, your packed light brown sugar, and that teaspoon of cinnamon. Give it a good whisk until everything is nicely combined into a yummy, thick sauce. This is going to make our bake smell heavenly and taste incredible!
Assembling and Glazing Your Bake
Now, take that buttery cinnamon mixture and pour it evenly all over the cinnamon roll pieces you’ve arranged in the dish. If you’re adding those chopped pecans (and I highly recommend you do for a little crunch!), sprinkle them on top now. Next, in another little bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, powdered sugar, and that tiny splash of milk. Whisk it until it’s super smooth and drizzles nicely. Drizzle this gorgeous glaze all over the entire bake. It looks so pretty!
Baking and Cooling The Ultimate Christmas Morning Cinnamon Roll Bake
Pop that dish into your preheated oven. It’s going to bake for about 25 to 30 minutes. What you’re looking for is that beautiful golden-brown color all over the top, and you want to make sure the rolls are cooked all the way through. A little toothpick test in the center can tell you if it’s ready – if it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, you’re golden! Once it’s out of the oven, resist the urge to dig in immediately! Let it cool in the dish for at least 10-15 minutes. This lets everything set up a bit, making it easier to serve and ensuring those flavors meld together perfectly. This cooling step is key, just like with classic chocolate chip cookies, it makes all the difference!
Tips for The Ultimate Christmas Morning Cinnamon Roll Bake Success
Okay, so this bake is pretty foolproof, but I’ve picked up a few little tricks along the way that *really* elevate it. First off, don’t be shy with the butter mixture; make sure you get it all over, into every little nook and cranny. It’s what makes the bottoms all gooey and caramelized! Also, that glaze can be adjusted to your liking. If you prefer it sweeter, just add a bit more powdered sugar. And if it’s too thick? A tiny splash more milk, maybe just a teaspoon at a time, until it drizzles just right. Think of it like making pancakes – a little tweak here and there makes it perfect!
For those optional pecans, toasting them lightly before chopping can really bring out their flavor. Just a few minutes in a dry skillet until they’re fragrant. It’s a little extra step, but boy, does it add a nutty depth! If you’re not a pecan fan, honestly, you could skip them or try some chopped walnuts or almonds. They’ll give a similar lovely crunch. This bake is super forgiving, kind of like my gooey pecan pie bars – they always turn out delicious no matter what!
Serving Suggestions for Your Holiday Treat
This cinnamon roll bake is practically a dessert on its own, but it makes the most wonderful centerpiece for a Christmas morning feast! Imagine serving it alongside some fluffy buttermilk pancakes or maybe some crisp bacon and scrambled eggs. And to make it feel extra special, a dollop of spiced whipped cream on top? Heavenly! A nice hot mug of coffee or a festive glass of orange juice would be the perfect drink to wash it all down.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
If, by some miracle, you have any of this amazing cinnamon roll bake left over, it stores beautifully! Just pop it into an airtight container once it’s completely cooled and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, and oh, you’ll want to reheat it because it’s even better warm, just pop a slice or two in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds until it’s perfectly gooey again. You can also gently warm it in a low oven if you prefer!
Nutritional Information
Just a friendly heads-up, these numbers are estimates for one serving of The Ultimate Christmas Morning Cinnamon Roll Bake, and they can totally vary based on the exact brands you use and how you drizzle that glaze! This bake is made with 8 servings in mind.
- Calories: About 450
- Fat: Around 25g (with about 15g saturated and 10g unsaturated)
- Carbohydrates: Roughly 55g
- Sugar: About 45g
- Protein: Around 5g
- Sodium: Approximately 300mg
Share Your Christmas Morning Cinnamon Roll Bake Experience
I’d absolutely LOVE to hear about your experience making The Ultimate Christmas Morning Cinnamon Roll Bake! Did it make your holiday morning extra special? Did the family gobble it up? Please, leave a comment below, give the recipe a star rating, or even share a photo of your delicious creation on social media. It makes my day to see your baking adventures! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out via my contact page too!
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Ultimate Christmas Morning Cinnamon Roll Bake
- Total Time: 45 min
- Yield: 8 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple and delicious cinnamon roll bake perfect for a holiday morning.
Ingredients
- 1 (12.7 ounce) package refrigerated cinnamon roll tubes
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)
- 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Open the cinnamon roll tubes and separate the rolls. Cut each roll into quarters.
- Arrange the cinnamon roll pieces in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until combined.
- Pour this mixture evenly over the cinnamon roll pieces.
- Sprinkle the chopped pecans over the top, if using.
- In another small bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, powdered sugar, and milk until smooth.
- Drizzle this glaze over the cinnamon roll bake.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, you can add a pinch of nutmeg to the cinnamon mixture.
- If you don’t have pecans, walnuts or almonds work well too.
- The glaze can be adjusted to your sweetness preference by adding more or less powdered sugar.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
