Giant Snowflake Sweet Roll

Featured in: Soft Sweet Treats

Enjoy a beautiful snowflake centerpiece made of soft, pull-apart sweet rolls. The dough is enriched with milk, butter, and eggs, filled with a cinnamon-spiced brown sugar mixture, then twisted into intricate shapes. After a final rise, the rolls bake to a golden brown before a sweet vanilla glaze is drizzled on top. This festive bread is perfect for sharing during holiday breakfasts or cozy gatherings, offering a warm and inviting treat with aromatic spices.

Updated on Wed, 10 Dec 2025 10:08:00 GMT
Fluffy, golden Giant Snowflake Sweet Rolls, iced and ready to be torn apart and enjoyed warm. Save
Fluffy, golden Giant Snowflake Sweet Rolls, iced and ready to be torn apart and enjoyed warm. | sagekettle.com

A stunning, pull-apart centerpiece featuring soft, pillowy sweet rolls shaped into a beautiful snowflake, perfect for holiday breakfasts or festive gatherings.

This centerpiece has become a holiday favorite in our family every year, bringing everyone together with its beautiful shape and delicious flavor.

Ingredients

  • Dough: 4 cups (500 g) all-purpose flour, 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp / 7 g) active dry yeast, 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk, warm (about 110°F/43°C), 1/3 cup (70 g) granulated sugar, 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, melted, 2 large eggs, room temperature, 1 tsp salt
  • Filling: 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened, 3/4 cup (150 g) brown sugar, packed, 1 1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
  • Icing: 1 1/2 cups (180 g) powdered sugar, 2–3 tbsp milk, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 1:
In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
Step 2:
Add melted butter, eggs, and salt. Mix well.
Step 3:
Gradually add flour, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead for 8–10 minutes by hand or with a dough hook until smooth and elastic.
Step 4:
Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Step 5:
Meanwhile, mix softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a small bowl for the filling.
Step 6:
Punch down dough, turn onto a lightly floured surface, and divide into 4 equal pieces.
Step 7:
Roll each piece into a 12-inch (30 cm) circle. Place one circle on a parchment-lined baking sheet and spread with 1/3 of the filling. Repeat layers, ending with the final dough circle on top.
Step 8:
Place a 3-inch (7.5 cm) round cutter or glass in the center (do not cut through). Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into 16 equal strips radiating from the center (like sun rays), leaving the center intact.
Step 9:
Take two adjacent strips, twist them away from each other twice, then pinch the ends together. Repeat with all pairs to form the snowflake shape.
Step 10:
Cover loosely and let rise 30–40 minutes until puffy. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Step 11:
Bake for 25–30 minutes, until golden brown. Cool for 10 minutes.
Step 12:
Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla for icing. Drizzle over warm rolls before serving.
A festive holiday breakfast: a close-up of a beautifully shaped Giant Snowflake Sweet Roll. Save
A festive holiday breakfast: a close-up of a beautifully shaped Giant Snowflake Sweet Roll. | sagekettle.com

Sharing this sweet roll centerpiece has brought joy and warmth to our family mornings, making holidays extra special.

Required Tools

Stand mixer or large mixing bowl, rolling pin, sharp knife, baking sheet, parchment paper

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten), milk, eggs, and butter (dairy). Always check labels to ensure ingredients are safe for your dietary needs.

Nutritional Information

Per serving (based on 10 servings): Calories 390, Total Fat 15 g, Carbohydrates 58 g, Protein 7 g

Warm, gooey cinnamon and sugar filling oozing from the perfectly baked Giant Snowflake Sweet Roll. Save
Warm, gooey cinnamon and sugar filling oozing from the perfectly baked Giant Snowflake Sweet Roll. | sagekettle.com

This snowflake sweet roll centerpiece is a delightful and impressive treat to make for any holiday morning.

Recipe Q&A

How do I achieve the perfect dough texture?

Knead the dough until smooth and elastic, around 8-10 minutes. Warm milk and proofed yeast ensure good rise and softness.

What is the best way to shape the rolls into a snowflake?

Cut the stacked dough into equal strips from the center without cutting through the middle. Twist adjacent strips twice away from each other and pinch ends together to form the snowflake pattern.

Can I add variations to the filling?

Yes, adding orange zest, chopped nuts, or dried cranberries to the cinnamon-brown sugar filling enhances flavor and texture.

At what temperature should I bake the rolls?

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes until the rolls turn golden brown and are cooked through.

How do I prepare the glaze for these rolls?

Mix powdered sugar with milk and a splash of vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over warm rolls just before serving for a sweet finish.

Giant Snowflake Sweet Roll

Pillowy sweet rolls shaped into a festive snowflake, ideal for holiday breakfasts or celebrations.

Setup Time
30 min
Time to Cook
30 min
Total Duration
60 min
Created by Elena Brooks

Classification Soft Sweet Treats

Skill Level Medium

Cuisine American, Holiday

Batch Size 10 Portions

Dietary Details Meat-free

Components

Dough

01 4 cups all-purpose flour
02 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
03 1 cup whole milk, warm (about 110°F)
04 1/3 cup granulated sugar
05 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
06 2 large eggs, room temperature
07 1 tsp salt

Filling

01 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
03 1 1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon
04 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)

Icing

01 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
02 2 to 3 tbsp milk
03 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

Step 01

Activate yeast: In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let rest for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.

Step 02

Mix wet ingredients: Add melted butter, eggs, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir thoroughly to combine.

Step 03

Incorporate flour and knead: Gradually add flour while mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead for 8 to 10 minutes by hand or with a dough hook until smooth and elastic.

Step 04

First rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Step 05

Prepare filling: In a small bowl, combine softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until evenly mixed.

Step 06

Divide and roll dough: Punch down dough and turn onto a lightly floured surface. Divide into four equal pieces and roll each into a 12-inch circle.

Step 07

Layer dough with filling: Place one dough circle on parchment-lined baking sheet, spread one-third of filling evenly. Repeat layers ending with dough on top.

Step 08

Score dough: Place a 3-inch round cutter in the center without cutting through. Cut dough into 16 equal strips radiating from the center.

Step 09

Shape snowflake: Twist two adjacent strips away from each other twice, then pinch ends together. Repeat for all pairs to form snowflake shape.

Step 10

Second rise: Cover loosely and let dough rise 30 to 40 minutes until puffy. Preheat oven to 350°F.

Step 11

Bake: Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool for 10 minutes.

Step 12

Prepare and drizzle icing: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over warm rolls before serving.

Tools Needed

  • Stand mixer or large mixing bowl
  • Rolling pin
  • Sharp knife
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper

Allergy Alerts

Review every ingredient to spot possible allergens. Consult your doctor if unsure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), milk, eggs, and butter (dairy).

Nutrition Info (per portion)

Nutritional details are for reference and don't substitute medical advice.
  • Energy (Calories): 390
  • Lipids: 15 g
  • Carbohydrates: 58 g
  • Proteins: 7 g