A simple cinnamon rolls hack transforms basic refrigerated tubes into a dessert-worthy breakfast that looks like it took hours to make from scratch.
This Christmas morning tradition can be upgraded instantly!
The secret method requires just heavy cream, brown sugar and a few minutes of prep.
The result? The gooiest, most decadent cinnamon rolls imaginable.
Families won’t believe how simple this technique really is.
Want to know the secret that makes all the difference?
Ingredients
Recommended Tools
Getting ready to make these Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls is a breeze when you have the right tools on hand. With these kitchen essentials, you can transform regular refrigerated cinnamon rolls into a gooey, decadent treat that will have everyone thinking you spent hours in the kitchen!
- Baking Dish:
A 9×13 inch dish works perfectly for arranging the cinnamon rolls with enough space for the gooey sauce to bubble around them.
- Nonstick Cooking Spray:
Prevents the rolls and caramel-like sauce from sticking to the dish, making cleanup much easier.
- Measuring Cups:
Helps you precisely measure the heavy cream, brown sugar and other ingredients for consistent results every time.
- Butter Knife:
Makes it easy to slice the butter thinly and spread the icing evenly over your warm cinnamon rolls.
- Measuring Spoons:
Essential for getting the right amount of cinnamon to sprinkle over your rolls before baking.
- Small Saucepan:
Perfect for melting butter with brown sugar if you want to create the extra-gooey caramel sauce mentioned in the tip.
Instructions for Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls Hack
Let’s make these amazing Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls that’ll have everyone rushing to the kitchen before they even open presents!
First, preheat your oven to 350°F. While it’s heating up, grab a baking dish and give it a good spray with nonstick cooking spray – nobody wants stuck rolls on Christmas morning!
Pop open 2 tubes of refrigerated cinnamon rolls (Pillsbury Grands work perfectly) and arrange them evenly in your dish. They should have a little breathing room, but don’t worry if they’re snuggled together – they’re about to get super cozy anyway!
Now for the magic part! Pour 1 cup of heavy cream right over those rolls. Yes, really! This is what transforms ordinary cinnamon rolls into something spectacular. The cream soaks in and creates the most incredible texture.
Sprinkle ½ cup of brown sugar and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon over everything. Then, take ½ stick of thinly sliced butter and scatter the pieces across the top. These ingredients will melt together to create that irresistible gooey goodness.
Slide your dish into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when they turn golden brown and the edges get all bubbly and caramelized.
Once they’re out of the oven, immediately spread the icing that came with your cinnamon rolls over the warm tops. The heat will make it melt into all the nooks and crannies!
Want to take these up another notch? Try melting the butter with the brown sugar first and pouring that caramel-y mixture over the rolls before baking. Talk about next-level deliciousness!
Pro Tips
For truly decadent holiday cinnamon rolls, pour heavy cream over the arranged rolls before baking to create an incredible custard-like texture inside while maintaining that perfect golden top.
This simple hack transforms basic refrigerated rolls into a special Christmas morning treat that tastes like it took hours to make.
Substitutions & Variations
While our hack recipe creates wonderfully gooey cinnamon rolls, you can easily customize it to suit dietary needs or flavor preferences without compromising the festive morning treat.
- Orange Zest Edition: Add freshly grated orange zest to the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture for a bright citrusy note that complements the warm spices.
- Cardamom Twist: Replace half the cinnamon with ground cardamom for a Scandinavian-inspired roll with more complex spice notes.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free refrigerated cinnamon roll dough and ensure your other ingredients don’t contain hidden gluten.
- Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute coconut cream for heavy cream and plant-based butter for a dairy-free version that maintains the gooey texture.
- Pecan Praline Topping: Sprinkle 1/2 cup chopped pecans with the brown sugar and butter to create a praline-like crunch on top of your rolls.
- Cream Cheese Stuffed: After arranging rolls in the pan, press a small cube of cream cheese into the center of each roll before adding the other ingredients.
Leftovers & Storage Tips
After exploring all those delicious variations, you’ll want to know what to do with any rolls that survive the Christmas morning feeding frenzy.
Store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature or 5 days refrigerated.
Reheat in the microwave for 20 seconds to restore that gooey texture.
Trust me, they’re almost as good the second time around!
Holiday Brunch Centerpiece
Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls Hack
An easy and decadent upgrade to store-bought cinnamon rolls perfect for holiday mornings.
- 2 tubes refrigerated cinnamon rolls (e.g., Pillsbury Grands with icing)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ stick butter, thinly sliced
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Spray a baking dish with nonstick spray and arrange cinnamon rolls evenly.
Pour heavy cream over the rolls.
Sprinkle brown sugar, cinnamon, and distribute butter slices on top.
Bake 25–30 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Remove from oven; spread icing from the package or homemade on warm rolls.
