Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
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Overnight cinnamon rolls are the ultimate lazy baker’s dream—because who doesn’t love waking up to the smell of freshly baked perfection with minimal morning effort? This recipe is a game-changer, letting you prep the night before so you can roll out of bed, pop them in the oven, and serve warm, gooey rolls that taste like you spent hours kneading dough at dawn. Trust me, your mornings just got a whole lot sweeter (and easier).
Love sweet rolls like me? I have a few recipes you have to try! Add my Cinnamon Roll Waffles, Orange Sweet Rolls, Easy Eggnog Pancakes and Blueberry Sweet Rolls with Lemon to your menu!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Make-Ahead: Start these sweet rolls the night before and you’ll have a batch of fresh baked goodness ready in just minutes in the morning.
- The BEST Cinnamon Roll: I have made these cinnamon rolls dozens of times and can confidently say they are the very best. So tender and buttery with the perfect sweet flavor.
- Freezer Friendly: Ready for another amazing kitchen tip? You can actually FREEZE this recipe for later! Prep everything and pop in the freezer for baking at a later date. AMAZING.
This recipe is a life changer. Inspired by my recipe for the Best Ever Cinnamon Rolls but with just one simple twist, they are prepped in advance. It takes away the extra time you have to set aside for rise time and rolling and let’s you focus on anything else. The hardest part is remembering to take them out of the refrigerator and letting them come to room temperature before baking.
That is literally the hardest step. The end result is the most dreamy sweet roll with a soft texture and the perfect balance of sugar to cinnamon. Top all of that off with a sweet glaze and you’ll have a bakery finish! Make them ahead or spend the short time prepping the day of. I’ve included both instructions in the recipe card below.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s chat about ingredients. All of the items called for in this recipe are actually pantry staples! Check the list below. I broke each item down so you would know why it is important and what its role is in the recipe.
- Yeast: Active dry yeast is key to a fluffy light roll dough. You will want to make sure that the yeast has been stored properly and is not passed the expiration date.
- Warm Water: If the water is too cold it will not activate the yeast. If the water is too hot it will kill it before it has a chance to do its job. You want the water to be warm enough that you could stick your finger in it and leave it for a few seconds without it being too warm.
- Milk: Room temperature is key! Cold milk will mess with the yeast process so make sure you heat the milk slightly.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar, or classic white sugar, is added to the dough to give it a slightly sweet dough.
- Butter: Remove your butter from the refrigerator 30 minutes before you are ready to start the dough to help it soften slightly.
- Salt: Salt is a flavor enhancer added to most baked goods to help boost each flavor profile.
- Eggs: Large eggs should be used at room temperature.
- All-purpose flour: Classic white flour. You can find this in the baking aisle of your grocery store.
Variations and Substitutions
- Filling Variations: Swap the cinnamon with pumpkin spice or cardamom for a seasonal twist. Add chopped nuts, raisins, or even mini chocolate chips to the filling for extra texture and flavor. Love a fruity touch? Spread a thin layer of jam or preserves before sprinkling the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Dough Substitutions: Use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour for an extra soft, chewy texture. For a richer dough, replace the melted butter with an equal amount of heavy cream.
- Frosting Options: Switch the classic vanilla frosting for a cream cheese version by replacing the butter with 2 tablespoons of softened cream cheese. Or, skip the frosting altogether and drizzle with a simple glaze made of powdered sugar and orange juice.
- Dietary Adjustments: Substitute non-dairy milk (like almond or oat) and vegan butter for a dairy-free version. For a slightly healthier twist, swap half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour.
Make-Ahead Cinnamon Rolls
Making these overnight cinnamon rolls is a breeze! Here’s a quick guide to get them prepped and ready for a dreamy morning treat:
- Activate the yeast: Sprinkle yeast over warm water and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Make the dough: Mix milk, sugar, melted butter, salt, and egg in a mixer. Add 2 cups of flour, followed by the yeast mixture, then the remaining flour. Knead until smooth.
- Let it rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it double in size (1-2 hours).
- Roll and fill: Roll the dough into a rectangle, spread with butter, and sprinkle with a brown sugar-cinnamon mixture. Roll into a log and cut into 12 pieces.
- Prep for overnight: Arrange the rolls in a greased pan, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.
- Bake and frost: Let rolls come to room temperature for about an hour, bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, and top with frosting.
Enjoy these warm, gooey cinnamon rolls alongside your favorite breakfast spread! They’re worth every bite.
Freezer and Storage Instructions
- Freezing Before Baking: Prep the cinnamon rolls through step 5 (cutting into pieces and placing in the pan). Instead of refrigerating, cover tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the fridge, then follow the instructions for proofing and baking.
- Freezing After Baking: Once baked and completely cooled, place the rolls in an airtight container or wrap individually in plastic wrap and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes.
- Storing Leftovers: Keep leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Warm them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in the oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to refresh their softness.
These tips ensure your cinnamon rolls are ready to impress, whether you’re baking fresh or pulling them from the freezer for a quick treat!
Tips for Success:
Use the Right Yeast: Stick to active dry yeast for this recipe. If using instant yeast, you can skip the activation step and mix it directly into the dry ingredients.
Check Water Temperature: The water for activating the yeast should be warm, around 110°F. Too hot, and it can kill the yeast; too cold, and it won’t activate.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter, milk, and egg are at room temperature before starting. This helps the dough mix evenly and rise better.
Don’t Over-Flour the Dough: The dough should be soft and slightly sticky, not dry. Add flour gradually during mixing to avoid a dense result.
Even Filling: Spread the butter and filling all the way to the edges of the dough to ensure every bite is packed with flavor.
Overnight Chill: Refrigerating the rolls overnight not only makes mornings easier but also enhances the flavor as the dough slowly ferments.
Proof Properly: After removing from the fridge, let the rolls come fully to room temperature and rise slightly before baking. This ensures a soft, fluffy texture.
Recipe FAQs
The yeast might not have activated properly. Ensure your water was warm (110°F) and not too hot. Also, check that your yeast isn’t expired. Dough also needs a warm, draft-free spot to rise; try placing it in an oven with the light on for consistent warmth.
Yes! Instant yeast can be mixed directly into the dry ingredients without proofing. However, the rise times may be shorter, so keep an eye on the dough.
The dough should be smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but not sticky. A good test is to press your finger into the dough—it should spring back slowly.
Yes, but the overnight rest enhances the flavor. If skipping the fridge, let the rolls rise in the pan at room temperature until doubled in size before baking.
This could be from over-baking or using too much flour in the dough. Bake just until lightly golden and soft to the touch. Also, ensure your oven is calibrated to the correct temperature.
The rolls should be golden brown on top and sound hollow when tapped lightly. For extra accuracy, the internal temperature should read about 190°F.
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Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
Dough:
- 1/4 oz active yeast pack
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 6 tablespoons butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 3½ cups all-purpose flour
Filling:
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup butter (soft)
Frosting:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1-3 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Sprinkle the yeast over ½ cup of warm water in a small bowl. Let it sit for at least 5 minutes until it looks foamy—this is proof the yeast is active.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the milk, sugar, melted butter, salt, and egg. Mix until smooth. Add 2 cups of flour and stir until fully incorporated. Add the yeast mixture, then gradually mix in the remaining flour. Knead for 5-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm spot until doubled in size. This will take about 1-2 hours.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a 15×9-inch rectangle. Spread the softened butter evenly over the surface. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt, then sprinkle it over the butter. Roll the dough tightly, starting from the long side, to form a log. Slice into 12 even pieces.
- Arrange the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch pan. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
- In the morning, place the pan of rolls in the oven (off) and let them come to room temperature and rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Remove the pan from the oven and preheat to 350°F. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the rolls are golden brown.
- Whisk together the frosting ingredients, adjusting milk for consistency. Spread the frosting over the warm rolls and serve immediately.
Video
Nutrition
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
More Cinnamon Recipes
- Honey Cinnamon Butter
- Snickerdoodle Blondies
- Peach Cupcakes with Cinnamon Frosting
- Snickerdoodle Cupcakes
- Apple Cinnamon Jelly
LOVED these! And the fact that all the work is done the night before making Christmas morning less stressful? Yes please!
I could use another taste of cinnamons rolls this morning.
Such a pretty dish!
I was just thinking that your french toast stole the show! So beautiful and that vanilla bean whipped cream was like icing on the cake.
These were lovely!! What I always want on Christmas morning is cinnamon rolls! And I totally need that coffee cup in my life 🙂
It’s possible I have an extra set if you’re interested in a little neighbor gift.
Love this post! Definitely making your cinnamon rolls for Christmas brunch.
And we will be making your brioche bake! So yummy!