The Ultimate Tear & Share Nutella Crescent Christmas Tree: An Easy Holiday Breakfast Recipe

Get ready to create a show-stopping, absolutely irresistible treat that will be the star of your holiday spread: the Tear & Share Nutella Crescent Christmas Tree! This recipe isn’t just easy to make; it’s incredibly delicious, undeniably cute, and disappears faster than you can say “Merry Christmas!” In my home, it barely lasted ten minutes, and I guarantee your family will love it just as much.

This festive delight is truly perfect for any holiday occasion, whether it’s a cozy Christmas Eve gathering or a joyous Christmas morning breakfast. Its warm, comforting flavors and interactive “tear and share” design make it an instant favorite for both kids and adults.

Evolving Christmas Traditions and the Search for New Flavors

Every family celebrates Christmas in its own unique way, and for many, these traditions are constantly evolving. Our holiday rituals are a blend of cherished customs and exciting new additions each year, all aimed at making the celebration even more special and memorable.

For instance, last year, our main Christmas celebration took place on Christmas Eve, a lavish buffet-style spread predominantly featuring an array of appetizers. Christmas morning was dedicated to opening presents, followed by a sweet monkey bread breakfast, and then a grand Christmas ham for lunch – which was originally intended to be our Christmas dinner. This year, we’re shifting things around a bit: our full Christmas dinner will be enjoyed on Christmas Eve, and on Christmas morning, after the presents are unwrapped, we plan to incorporate some delightful dinner elements into our breakfast spread.

You might be wondering how all these holiday tradition musings tie into this incredible Tear & Share Crescent Christmas Tree. Well, as I re-envisioned our Christmas morning feast, I found myself on the hunt for new, exciting, yet simple recipes that could effortlessly join our breakfast table. Something that felt festive but didn’t demand hours in the kitchen during such a busy time.

And that’s where this recipe shines! It ticks all the boxes: it’s incredibly easy to assemble, genuinely fun to create (even for beginner bakers!), and absolutely delicious. The most challenging part, if you can even call it that, is simply ensuring your crescent dough is rolled out into perfectly uniform rectangles – a small task for such a grand reward!

Get Started on Your Festive Baking!

Enough with the holiday planning, let’s dive into creating this delightful Tear & Share Crescent Christmas Tree! You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can transform simple ingredients into a festive masterpiece.

Tear & Share Crescent Christmas Tree Recipe

The ingredients you’ll need are few and easy to find, making this a perfect last-minute holiday baking project:

2 packs of refrigerated crescent rolls (the seamless dough is often easiest, but classic perforated ones work too)
1 cup of Nutella (or your favorite chocolate-hazelnut spread)
Half a stick of unsalted butter (1/4 cup), melted
1/4 cup of granulated sugar
2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon

Before you begin, make sure to preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). This ensures your oven is at the correct temperature for even baking as soon as your tree is ready.

Step-by-Step Instructions for a Perfect Christmas Tree

1. Prepare Your Dough: On a lightly floured surface, or even better, on a sheet of parchment paper (which will make transferring the dough much easier), carefully unroll one can of crescent dough. If using the classic perforated crescent rolls, press the seams together to form a solid rectangle. For seamless dough, simply unroll. The easiest way to get a good rectangular shape is to fold one half of the dough over the other, then use a rolling pin to gently roll it flat into a consistent, even rectangle. Aim for a thickness of about 1/4 inch.

2. Spread the Nutella: Once you have a nice, flat rectangle of dough, take your cup of Nutella. If your Nutella is a bit stiff, you can warm it slightly in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to make it easier to spread. Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the Nutella evenly across the entire surface of the dough, leaving a small border (about half an inch) around the edges.

3. Add the Top Layer: Now, on a separate sheet of wax paper or parchment paper, repeat the rolling process with the second can of crescent rolls. The goal here is to create a second rectangle of dough that is as close in size and shape as possible to your first Nutella-covered layer. Precision here helps with a uniform tree.

Carefully use the parchment paper to lift and invert the second dough rectangle directly on top of the Nutella-covered dough. Gently press down to seal the layers together, ensuring there are no large air pockets.

4. Shape Your Tree: Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, trim the layered dough into a distinct Christmas tree shape. Start by cutting off the top corners to form a point, then gently angle down to create the sides of the tree, leaving a small, wider base for the trunk. Don’t discard the trimmed dough scraps! Use a small star-shaped cookie cutter to cut a star out of these scraps. This star will perfectly crown your tree.

5. Create the “Branches”: This is where the “tear & share” magic happens! Using your knife, cut horizontal slits into both sides of the triangle, about an inch thick, going all the way up towards the top. Make sure to stop cutting before you reach the very center of the tree – leave a central strip of dough (about 1-2 inches wide) uncut. This central strip will keep all the “branches” connected to the main tree body. Ensure your slits are deep enough to cut through both layers of dough.

6. Twist the Branches and Add the Star: Once all the slits are cut, gently take each individual strip and twist it 1-2 times. You can stretch them slightly if needed to create a more elongated, branch-like appearance. Arrange them artistically, ensuring each twist is visible. Finally, carefully place your star-shaped dough piece at the very top of your tree. You can lightly press it down to help it adhere.

7. Butter and Cinnamon-Sugar Coating: In a small bowl, combine the 1/4 cup of sugar and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon. Stir well to create your festive cinnamon-sugar mixture. Now, take your melted butter and generously brush it all over the entire Christmas tree, including the twisted branches and the star. This butter acts as a glue for the cinnamon-sugar and helps the tree achieve a beautiful golden-brown crust. Then, liberally sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the buttered tree, ensuring every part is coated. Don’t be shy!

8. Bake to Golden Perfection: Carefully transfer your parchment paper with the Christmas tree onto a baking sheet. Place it in your preheated oven and bake for 15-17 minutes, or until the crescent dough is beautifully golden brown and puffed up. Keep an eye on it towards the end of the baking time, as oven temperatures can vary.

9. Serve and Enjoy: Once your magnificent Tear & Share Crescent Christmas Tree emerges from the oven, it’s ready to be devoured! The aroma alone will fill your home with holiday cheer. Serve it warm, allowing everyone to pull off their own delicious, chocolatey “branch.”

As I mentioned, my family absolutely adored this treat. They ate it so quickly, I barely managed to snap these few photos before it was gone! It’s truly a testament to its irresistible appeal.

Tips and Variations for Your Holiday Tree

Dough Handling: If your kitchen is warm, the crescent dough can become sticky. Keep it chilled until ready to roll and work quickly. If it tears slightly, simply pinch the seams together.
Nutella Alternatives: While Nutella is classic, feel free to experiment! Try a different chocolate spread, a cinnamon sugar butter filling (without the Nutella), or even a fruit preserve like raspberry for a different flavor profile.
Glaze for Extra Sweetness: For an extra touch of sweetness and a beautiful finish, you can whisk together powdered sugar with a splash of milk or lemon juice to create a simple glaze. Drizzle it over the tree once it’s cooled slightly.
Make Ahead? You can prepare the tree up to the point of baking, cover it loosely with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for a few hours. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
Serving Suggestions: This tree is fantastic on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or a festive mimosa for a truly indulgent Christmas morning.

Why This Tear & Share Tree Is a Holiday Must-Make

Beyond its incredible taste and charming appearance, this Tear & Share Crescent Christmas Tree embodies the spirit of the holidays. It encourages gathering, sharing, and creates a focal point for your festive table. It’s a low-stress, high-reward recipe that leaves you more time to enjoy with loved ones, rather than being stuck in the kitchen.

Imagine the delight on your family’s faces as they see this beautiful, edible Christmas tree. The soft, buttery crescent layers, the rich, warm Nutella, and the sweet crunch of cinnamon sugar create a symphony of flavors and textures that truly capture the essence of holiday indulgence. Make this a new tradition, and watch it become a cherished part of your family’s Christmas celebrations for years to come!

Yield: 8 servings

Tear & Share Crescent Christmas Tree

Prep Time
20 minutes

Cook Time
15 minutes

Total Time
35 minutes

Ingredients

2 packs of crescent rolls
1 cup of nutella
half a stick of butter (1/4 cup), melted
1/4 cup of sugar
2 teaspoons of cinnamon

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 C). In a small bowl, mix the cinnamon and sugar together until well combined, then set aside.
On a lightly floured surface or parchment paper, unroll one can of crescent dough and press seams together (if necessary) to form a rectangle. Spread the Nutella evenly over the dough, leaving a small border. Roll out the second can of crescent dough on separate parchment paper to roughly the same size and shape as the first, then carefully place it on top of the Nutella-covered dough.
Using a knife or pizza cutter, shape the layered dough into a Christmas tree by cutting off the top corners to form a point and tapering the sides. Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut a star from the dough scraps. Cut horizontal slits (about 1 inch thick) on both sides of the tree, going almost to the top, but leave a central strip (1-2 inches wide) uncut. Gently twist each dough strip 1-2 times, then place the star at the top of the tree.
Melt the butter and brush it generously all over the shaped dough. Liberally sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the entire tree. Transfer the tree on its parchment paper to a baking sheet. Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 255Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 86mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 2gSugar: 22gProtein: 2g