Cranberry-Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree

Prep: 20 minutes
Bake: 23 minutes • Serves: 10

1.Preheat oven to 350°; line rimmed baking pan with parchment paper. Unroll 1 pizza crust on prepared pan; press into 10 x 14-inch rectangle. With short end of crust facing down, starting at top center of crust, use sharp knife or pizza wheel to trim the long sides of the crust into a triangle; from dough scraps, cut 2 (1-inch) squares for “tree trunk.” Place 1 “trunk” piece at bottom of triangle. In small bowl, stir cream cheese and cranberry sauce; spread over pizza crust, and sprinkle with brown sugar and almonds.

2.Place large piece of parchment paper on work surface; unroll remaining pizza crust on parchment paper, press into 10 x 14-inch rectangle and trim into same size triangle. Flip crust over onto almonds and gently remove parchment paper; place remaining “trunk” piece over first “trunk.” In small bowl, stir granulated sugar and cinnamon; brush tree with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon mixture.

3.Starting 1 inch from bottom, outer edges of tree, use paring knife to make cut toward center of tree, leaving a 1-inch section in the center for the trunk; move upward from the base, making cuts every 1-1/2 inches. Gently twist each section; bake 23 minutes or until golden brown.

Approximate nutritional values per serving (2 twists):
198 Calories, 9g Fat (4g Saturated), 18mg Cholesterol, 268mg Sodium,
27g Carbohydrates, 1g Fiber, 10g Sugars, 9g Added Sugars, 4g Protein

Chef Tip:
Serve with additional cranberry sauce, if desired.

Dietitian’s Dish Tip(s):
For an allergen-friendly option, swap almonds with toasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds. These provide crunch and heart-healthy fats. If avoiding seeds, you could try crushed freeze-dried berries for color, texture and antioxidants.

Opt for a lower-sugar cranberry sauce or make your own using fresh cranberries and a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup. Not sure where to start? Get the bonus recipe for our 5-Ingredient Cranberry Sauce!