Reindeer Cinnamon Rolls

Reindeer cinnamon rolls are a festive way to start the holiday morning, and the kids always love them. These cinnamon rolls are decorated to look like Rudolph, complete with little faces and a big red nose.

Crispy bacon “antlers” give each roll personality and a salty-sweet contrast that makes them even more delicious.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Festive breakfast idea: Turns simple cinnamon rolls into adorable reindeer.
• Quick and easy: Uses refrigerated dough for a fun holiday shortcut.
• Kid-approved treat: Perfect for Christmas morning and easy enough that the little ones can help.
• Customizable: Use your favorite red candies and homemade or store-bought cinnamon rolls.

Reindeer Cinnamon Rolls Ingredients

• Refrigerated cinnamon rolls
• Red gumballs or red candies
• Candy eyes
• Bacon slices

How To Make Reindeer Cinnamon Rolls

This visual guide is helpful for making this recipe. For the full printable recipe with measurements, scroll to the bottom of the post.

Preheat your oven and bake the cinnamon rolls according to the package directions until golden brown. If you prefer, you can also use homemade cinnamon rolls for a fresh-baked touch.

While the rolls bake, cook the bacon in a skillet until crisp. Set the strips aside on a paper towel to drain and cool slightly.

Once the cinnamon rolls are done baking, remove them from the oven and frost while they’re still warm.

Press two candy eyes onto each roll, then add a red gumball or candy below the eyes to create Rudolph’s nose.

Place two bacon strips at the top of each roll to look like reindeer antlers. Serve warm and enjoy your festive holiday breakfast!

Rudolph Christmas Cinnamon Rolls FAQs

What can I use instead of bacon for the antlers?

Pretzel twists or straight pretzel sticks work well if you want a no-meat option or something quicker. They are easy to tuck into the top of each roll and still look like antlers.

Do the candies melt on warm cinnamon rolls?

The eyes hold up well, and most red candies and gumballs do too. If you are using something softer, like gumdrops, let the rolls cool for a few minutes before decorating.

Can I use homemade cinnamon rolls?

Absolutely. Homemade dough works beautifully and gives the rolls an extra cozy flavor. Just decorate them the same way once they are frosted.

How do I keep the bacon crisp?

Let the cooked bacon cool on a paper towel to remove extra grease before adding it. This helps the strips stay nice and crisp when placed on the rolls.

How can I decorate these without using candy eyes or red candies?
You can pipe the eyes and nose with icing for a soft, simple alternative. This is also a better option for very young kids who can’t eat candy or enjoy gumballs yet.