Giant Snowflake Sweet Roll

Featured in: Sweet Cozy Treats

This pull-apart centerpiece features soft, fluffy sweet rolls shaped into a dazzling snowflake, ideal for holiday breakfasts or festive gatherings. The dough is enriched with warm milk, melted butter, eggs, and a cinnamon-brown sugar filling that creates a tender, flavorful bite. After rising twice, the rolls are twisted into a decorative snowflake pattern and baked to golden perfection. Finished with a light vanilla glaze, this centerpiece offers a beautiful and tasty addition to any celebration table.

Updated on Wed, 10 Dec 2025 09:59:00 GMT
Warm, golden Giant Snowflake Sweet Roll centerpiece, ready to be devoured at a holiday brunch. Save
Warm, golden Giant Snowflake Sweet Roll centerpiece, ready to be devoured at a holiday brunch. | hazeldish.com

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

This recipe has become a holiday favorite in my family, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere with every pull-apart bite.

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.
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Sharing this snowflake sweet roll with my family during the holidays always sparks joy and togetherness around the table.

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

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

Aromatic cinnamon swirls within the Giant Snowflake Sweet Roll, glistening with sweet icing. Save
Aromatic cinnamon swirls within the Giant Snowflake Sweet Roll, glistening with sweet icing. | hazeldish.com

This snowflake sweet roll centerpiece is a showstopper that brings festive charm and delicious flavor to your holidays.

Recipe Help & Answers

How do I make the dough soft and fluffy?

Use warm milk and allow the dough to rise adequately for a light texture. Kneading well develops gluten, giving the dough its elasticity.

Can I add extra flavors to the filling?

Yes, orange zest, chopped nuts, or dried cranberries add a festive twist to the cinnamon-brown sugar filling.

What’s the best way to shape the rolls into a snowflake?

Stack circles with filling, cut strips radially without cutting the center, then twist adjacent strips outward and pinch ends to form the snowflake.

How long should the rolls rise before baking?

Let the dough rise for 1 hour after kneading, and after shaping, allow a second rise of 30-40 minutes until puffy.

How is the icing prepared and applied?

Whisk powdered sugar with milk and vanilla extract, then drizzle over the warm rolls before serving for a sweet finish.

Giant Snowflake Sweet Roll

Pillowy sweet rolls shaped into a stunning snowflake, perfect for festive breakfast or dessert occasions.

Prep Time
30 min
Time to Cook
30 min
Overall Time
60 min
Created by Isabel Grant

Dish Type Sweet Cozy Treats

Skill Level Medium

Inspired By American

Makes 10 Number of servings

Dietary Details Vegetarian-Friendly

What You Need

Dough

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

Filling

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

Icing

01 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
02 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
03 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

How to Make It

Step 01

Activate Yeast: Combine warm milk, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast in a large bowl. Allow to rest for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.

Step 02

Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Add melted butter, eggs, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix thoroughly until combined.

Step 03

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

Step 04

First Rise: Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Step 05

Prepare Filling: Combine softened butter, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and optional nutmeg in a small bowl until evenly mixed.

Step 06

Shape Dough Circles: Punch down the risen dough. On a lightly floured surface, divide into four equal portions and roll each into 12-inch circles.

Step 07

Layer Dough and Filling: Place one dough circle on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread one-third of the filling over it. Repeat layering with each dough circle, finishing with the last dough circle on top.

Step 08

Cut Dough Strips: Place a 3-inch round cutter or glass in the center without cutting through. Slice the dough into 16 equal strips radiating outward from the center.

Step 09

Form Snowflake Pattern: Pair adjacent strips, twist each pair away from each other twice, then pinch the ends together. Continue until all pairs form a snowflake shape.

Step 10

Second Rise: Cover loosely and allow the shaped dough to rise for 30 to 40 minutes until puffy. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 11

Bake: Bake the centerpiece for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown. Remove and 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 You’ll Need

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

Allergy Details

Review each ingredient for allergens. Always reach out to a healthcare professional for help if you’re unsure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), milk, eggs, and butter (dairy).
  • Verify ingredient labels to ensure safety for dietary restrictions.

Per-Serving Nutrition

Nutritional data is for general reference only. It shouldn't replace advice from your doctor.
  • Calorie Count: 390
  • Fats: 15 g
  • Carbohydrates: 58 g
  • Proteins: 7 g