After making the (huge) move from New York to California earlier this year, I knew that the holidays would be an especially hard time of year for missing my family. When the first signs of the season hit, I was instantly an emotional wreck (crying in the decorations aisle at Target, at the tree lighting ceremony at Disneyland… you get the gist.) Since we wouldn’t be making the trip back home this first year, I quickly realized how important it would be to bring my family’s holiday traditions to our new home.
Every Christmas morning for as long as I can remember, my mom would form a batch of her homemade cinnamon rolls into the shape of a Christmas tree. Some years, she would get creative and decorate the tree with sprinkles or color the icing green, but no matter what, they were always in the shape of a tree. The sweet rolls served as a final gift to enjoy together after every other present from under the tree had been opened. It’s the little things like this – 34 years of the same Christmas traditions – that I’m going to especially miss this year.
Since being gluten-free for almost a decade, my Mom and I have attempted GF versions, but it’s been tough to get the recipe exactly right. But even if I didn’t have any to eat, it was enough just to see everyone enjoying them around the table.
Due to the distance this year, I wanted to recreate my mom’s rolls more than ever, so I started planning early, determined to figure out how to make the recipe just right. I called and texted my mom while I baked, asking questions and sending photos to make sure I was doing it perfectly, and it almost felt as though she was there with me in my kitchen. As I placed the final roll onto the pan to complete the Christmas tree, classic Christmas music blaring through my kitchen, I was completely consumed with tears. We’re talking full-on weeping over a tray of cinnamon rolls, crying as my kitchen was filled with the familiar aroma of home. It may not be the same as the Christmases I’ve always known, but at least I’ll have a small piece of my family with me while we enjoy with these soft and chewy sweet cinnamon rolls.
Does your family have a Christmas morning breakfast tradition?
I am so very honored to be sharing this recipe today on Camille Styles as part of her 12 Tastes of Christmas Series.
8 Responses
Beautiful post, Beth. Homesickness is a tough, tough thing, even when one is happy in one’s new spot. I love that you worked long distance and nonstop with your mom to re-create her cinnamon rolls though. They look amazing!
xo,
Shirley
Oh my gosh these look to die for! Seriously, these would just be perfect for Christmas morning! I hate to admit I always used to love the ones straight out of the can, but gosh, how could those compare to this healthy option? I haven’t touched those toxic canned ones since I was 13, but these would be an awesome way to enjoy a food I used to love in such a much better light. Great recipe!!:)
Oh, Beth – I was already so excited to make these cinnamon rolls after a friend sent them to me on Pinterest, and am now even more determined to make them after reading your post. My husband and I also just made a big move this year, from Boston (our home of 35 years) to Austin, and just spent our first Thanksgiving away from family in decades, so let me say you are SO not alone in the crying-into-bakeware department! Happy holidays to you and your family – it’s so obvious how close you are, and I hope you get to find some joy in new traditions as we have (even as we’re sentimental for those who can’t be there). ~M
Aww, now your post has got me crying! I appreciate that you are doing the things you need to for comfort, AND that you didn’t sugar-coat (no pun intended) your pain in this post. It’s a hard time of year for many people, and I’m sure some will find solace in your experience.
While my family doesn’t have a particular recipe we make over an over, we make a Christmas brunch every year and it’s special to me too. Happy holidays 🙂
[…] ▲ Gluten-free cinnamon rolls – with dairy-free options too! […]
Question– can I do everything but the baking the night before? I’ve got little ones and don’t want too much work on Christmas morning. Thanks for sharing. My mom always had cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning too. She passed away 7 years ago and this would help bring a little of her traditions back.
yes definitely, I have made them this way before and they work perfectly! I am sorry to hear about your mom but I hope these rolls bring you as much joy on your Christmas morning as they do for me <3 Much love and happy holidays.
Hi Beth, I am new to the gluten free world and stumbled across your blog when searching for well who knows now. I got lost in looking though your recipes 🙂 my quetion is what is the differance in the Psyllium husk powder (which is what I have) vs. the Psyllium whole husk which this recipe uses? Thanks for any help.