Overnight Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (2024)

Overnight Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (1)

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We’ve been making these melt-in-you-mouth overnight cinnamon rolls on the regular but there’s something new and wonderful about this recipe. Did you notice thefluffy cream cheese crown of irresistible decadence on the top? That my friends is the same frosting I used on my wildly popular pumpkin cake and it will change your life.

The part that touches the cinnamon rolls melts a bit, sinking into every groove and the top stays whipped and gorgeous.

This is also an overnight cinnamon rolls recipe (meaning, there is a make-ahead option!) I’ve had so many curious folks asking if my maple cinnamon rollswould work overnight, soI’m sharingmy tips and tricks (and it couldn’t be easier!). These are perfect for holidays, house guests, andyou of course ;).

Overnight Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (2)

I’ll always remember the first time I brought abatch of my cinnamon rolls to my sister’s house and how quickly they were eaten by the children (and my sister!). They’ve been in high demand ever since ;).

Ingredients for Overnight Cinnamon Rolls:

1 cup warm milk (not hot)
1/2 Tbsp active dry yeast (we use Red Star Brand)
4 Tbsp granulated sugar, divided
3 cups (plus 2 to 4 Tbsp) all-purpose flour *measured correctly, divided (*see notes below)
1 large egg, room temp
2 Tbsp unsalted butter melted (1 Tbsp for batter and 1 Tbsp to grease pans)
1/2 tsp salt

For the Cinnamon Roll Filling:

7Tbsp unsalted butter, softened, divided (6 Tbsp for filling and 1 Tbsp to brush tops)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 Tbsp ground cinnamon

Overnight Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (3)

For theCream Cheese Icing:

4 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract
1 cup confectioners (powdered) sugar

Overnight Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (4)

How to Make the Best Overnight Cinnamon Rolls:

1. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, add 1 cup warm milk and sprinkle with 1/2 Tbsp yeast. Let sit uncovered for 7 minutes at room temp.Add 1/2 cup flour, 2 Tbsp sugarand whisk until blended. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature for 35-45 min (or in a 100˚ oven for 25 min). It will lookpuffy (**SeeImportant Note Below).

Overnight Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (5)

Overnight Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (6)

2. Whisk in 1 egg, remaining 2 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp melted butter and 1/2 tsp salt.

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3. Using thedough hook on speed 2, add remaining 2 1/2 cups flour (1/2 cup at a time) letting it blendwitheach addition. Add more flour 1 Tbsp at a time just untildough is no longer sticking to fingertipsor thewalls of the bowl as it mixes then knead/mixfor 10 min.Cover with plastic wrap and let rise at room temp 2 hours (or in a100˚ oven for 1 hr). Dough should double in size.

Overnight Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (8)

4. Generously dust flour over a cleanwork surface and place dough in the center. Sprinkle dough with flour (just enough to keep the rolling pin from sticking) and rollinto even 17″x10″ rectangle. Dot the top of dough with 6 Tbsp softened butter and spread it out gently with a spatula.

Overnight Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (9)

5. Stir together1/4 cup sugar and 1 Tbsp cinnamon and sprinkle ALL OF IT evenly over buttered dough.Roll the dough up starting with one of the longer sides, keeping a tight roll. Once it’s rolled up, push ends in slightly to make them a little more uniform then slice into 12 equal sized cinnamon rolls.

This tip is GOLD: use unflavored floss to prevent squishing your rolls. Slide it under the roll, then bring it up, cross it at the top and pull both ends to cut through the roll easily then repeat.

Overnight Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (10)

Overnight Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (11)

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6.Butter sides and bottom of a 9×13 baking pan with 1 Tbsp butterand evenly space cinnamon rolls in pan, cut-side down. If making overnight cinnamon rolls, cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate (up to 18 hours). Remove from refrigerator and keeping them covered, let cinnamon rolls rise at room temp 1 to 1 1/2 hours(or in a 100˚F oven for 35 min)or until puffy.

Overnight Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (13)

7. Brush tops with 1 Tbsp melted butter and bake at 350˚F for 22-24 mins or until tops are light golden brown.Let cool in pan 15 minutes thenfrost warm buns generously with the cream cheese glaze (instructions below).

Overnight Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (14)

Overnight Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (15)

How to Make Cream Cheese Icing:

1. Using an electric mixer, cream together 4 Tbsp softened butter, 4 oz soft cream cheese and beat on medium speed until creamy and smooth. Beat in1/2 Tbsp vanilla then add 1 cup powered sugar and continue mixing until fluffy (3-4 min), scraping down the bowl as needed.

Overnight Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (16)

Overnight Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

4.98 from 305 votes

Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com

Overnight Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (18)

These melt-in-you-mouth cinnamon rolls can be made in advance so they are perfect for holidays, company and busy mornings. The whipped cream cheese icing melts a bit, sinking into every groove and the top stays whipped and gorgeous. P.S. These can be baked the same day as well, just let them rise instead of putting them in the refrigerator.

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Prep Time: 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Cook Time: 23 minutes mins

Total Time: 2 hours hrs 53 minutes mins

Ingredients

Servings: 12 medium rolls

Ingredients for Overnight Cinnamon Rolls:

  • 1 cup warm milk, not hot
  • 1/2 Tbsp active dry yeast
  • 4 Tbsp granulated sugar, divided
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour, divided* (plus 2 to 4 Tbsp)
  • 1 large egg, room temp
  • 2 Tbsp unsalted butter melted, divided
  • 1/2 tsp salt

For the Cinnamon Roll Filling:

  • 7 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened, divided
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon

For the Cream Cheese Icing:

  • 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup confectioners, powdered sugar

Instructions

How to Make Overnight Cinnamon Rolls:

  • In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, add 1 cup warm milk and sprinkle with 1/2 Tbsp yeast. Let sit uncovered for 7 minutes at room temp. Add 1/2 cup flour, 2 Tbsp sugar and whisk until blended. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature for 35-45 min (or in a 100˚ oven** for 25 min). It will look puffy.

  • Whisk in 1 egg, remaining 2 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp melted butter and 1/2 tsp salt.

  • Using the dough hook on speed 2, add remaining 2 1/2 cups flour (1/2 cup at a time) letting it blend with each addition. Add more flour 1 Tbsp at a time just until dough is no longer sticking to fingertips or the walls of the bowl as it mixes then knead/mix for 10 min. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise at room temp 2 hours (or in a 100˚ oven for 1 hr). Dough should double in size.

  • Generously dust flour over a clean work surface and place dough in the center. Sprinkle dough with flour (just enough to keep the rolling pin from sticking) and roll into even 17″x10″ rectangle. Dot the top of dough with 6 Tbsp softened butter and spread it out gently with a spatula.

  • Stir together 1/4 cup sugar and 1 Tbsp cinnamon and sprinkle ALL OF IT evenly over buttered dough. Roll the dough up starting with one of the longer sides, keeping a tight roll. Once it's rolled up, push ends in slightly to make them a little more uniform then slice into 12 equal sized cinnamon rolls.***

  • Butter sides and bottom of a 9×13 baking pan with 1 Tbsp butter and evenly space cinnamon rolls in pan, cut-side down. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (up to 18 hours). The following day, remove from refrigerator and keeping them covered, let cinnamon rolls rise at room temp 1 to 1 1/2 hours (or in a 100˚F oven for 35 min) or until puffy.

  • Brush tops with 1 Tbsp melted butter and bake at 350˚F for 22-24 mins or until tops are light golden brown. Let cool in pan 15 minutes then frost warm buns generously with the cream cheese glaze (instructions below).

How to Make Cream Cheese Icing:

  • Using an electric mixer, cream together 4 Tbsp softened butter, 4 oz soft cream cheese and beat on medium speed until creamy and smooth. Beat in 1/2 Tbsp vanilla then add 1 cup powered sugar and continue mixing until fluffy (3-4 min), scraping down the bowl as needed.

Notes

*On Measuring Flour: Fluff up flour then spoon into a dry measuring cup. Scrape off the top with the back of a knife.
**Oven should not be hotter than 100˚F or you will cook and ruin the yeast.
***Use unflavored floss to prevent squishing your rolls. Slide it under the roll, then bring it up, cross it at the top and pull both ends to cut through the roll easily then repeat.

  • Full Nutrition Label
  • Nutrition Disclosure

Course: Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: overnight cinnamon rolls

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

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The start of September is when I roll up my sleeves, pull out thebaking toolsand incorporate cinnamon in as many dessertsas possible! I think it’s the best way to welcome Autumn :).

Q: Which food is the heartof Autumn for you?

Overnight Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can I leave cinnamon roll dough overnight? ›

If you like, you can assemble the cinnamon rolls, put them in the baking dish you're using and cover tightly with plastic wrap and transfer to the fridge to rise overnight. They might NOT rise very much in the fridge; that's ok!

What is the secret ingredient in Cinnabon? ›

Cinnabon's Secret Ingredient

This special Indonesian cinnamon, called Makara, is trademarked by Cinnabon. And because of that trademark, you won't find this product in your local grocery store spice aisle.

How do you keep baked cinnamon rolls fresh overnight? ›

The most important thing to remember when storing cinnamon rolls is to keep them away from air. Wrapping the rolls well and sealing them in an airtight container will keep the air out so your rolls will stay moist and they won't dry out too quickly.

What is the difference between a morning bun and a cinnamon roll? ›

Meet Morning Buns, the flakey, buttery pastry dressed in a cinnamon brown sugar and orange zest swirl. Morning Buns are similar to cinnamon rolls, except the dough is made from croissant dough. The croissant dough produces the tender, flakey, buttery layers that you just can't get from normal cinnamon roll dough.

Is it better to freeze cinnamon rolls before or after baking? ›

I prefer to shape and then freeze. It makes it much easier to bake and use. I haven't had as much success freezing dough and then shaping. My cinnamon rolls freeze really well once they are baked as well, so if you'd rather go that route, you can bake and then freeze them.

Can you refrigerate uncooked cinnamon roll dough? ›

You have two choices: you can make the dough and chill up to 2 days, then shape, let rise and bake, as described in the recipe, OR you can make the dough, chill for 2 hours, then shape, cover with plastic wrap that is sprayed with nonstick spray and chill for up to 2 days.

Can I let dough rise overnight on the counter? ›

If a recipe calls for proofing bread dough overnight in the refrigerator, it can be proofed on the counter at a warmer temperature for a shorter period. Rather than placing the dough in the refrigerator overnight, leave it covered on the counter for 1 to 4 hours until it's ready to bake.

What is the most unhealthy Cinnabon? ›

Worst: Caramel Pecanbon

The Caramel Pecanbon, while a delicious treat from Cinnabon, is considered an unhealthy choice due to its high calorie, sugar, and fat content. A single serving packs a hefty caloric punch, often exceeding the daily recommended sugar intake in just one pastry.

Does Cinnabon use cream cheese frosting? ›

The smooth, Ooey-Gooey™ topping of Cinnabon® cream cheese frosting adds another depth of flavor. Painted all over our rolls, it's a final layer to perfection.

Can you leave homemade cinnamon rolls out overnight? ›

If you want to bake your cinnamon rolls the night before, let them cool fully to room temperature. Cover them in plastic wrap and leave them out at room temperature overnight. Wait to glaze or frost them until you've warmed them up the following morning, and follow the reheating instructions below.

Are homemade cinnamon rolls good the next day? ›

Cover leftover frosted or unfrosted rolls tightly and store at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

How to keep cinnamon rolls soft after baking? ›

HOW DO YOU KEEP CINNAMON ROLLS MOIST? The key to keeping your cinnamon rolls moist is to store them airtight. Wrap your cinnamon rolls individually in plastic wrap or foil and place them in a freezer bag. If you want to keep them in the pan, you can wrap the pan tightly as well.

Why pour milk over cinnamon rolls before baking? ›

Julie Clark, the blogger behind the website, notes that after years of research, she discovered that the key to getting perfectly gooey rolls is to “pour heavy cream over the cinnamon buns before baking. THIS is the secret ingredient and what makes the rolls rich and gooey.”

Is heavy cream and heavy whipping cream the same thing? ›

Yes, heavy cream and heavy whipping cream are the exact same thing. The confusion lies in the fact that they're sold by different brands under two different names.

Can I use evaporated milk instead of heavy cream? ›

Evaporated milk can be used as a substitute in recipes in which heavy cream is used as a liquid ingredient, such as in baked goods, but it doesn't whip well. Substitute the heavy cream in your recipes with an equal amount of evaporated milk.

What's the difference between a cinnabon and a cinnamon roll? ›

Structurally, cinnamon buns share the same spiral shape. They are sometimes thinner and more delicate. The most significant difference between cinnamon rolls and cinnamon buns is the inclusion of nuts. Cinnamon buns often have pecans, walnuts, or even raisins in the filling.

What does it mean if a girl is a cinnamon roll? ›

(slang, neologism) A person perceived as good, gentle and kind.

What is cinnamon roll hello kitty? ›

Cinnamoroll (シナモロール(Shinamorōru)) Voiced by: Taeko Kawata (Japan), Sunday Muse ("The Adventures of Hello Kitty & Friends"), Jenny Yokobori ("Hello Kitty and Friends: Supercute Adventures") Cinnamoroll (born March 6) is a male white and chubby puppy with long ears that enable him to fly.

Should the cinnamon rolls touch or be kept apart while baking? ›

Cinnamon rolls are notably very elastic and stretchy. As the dough bakes, it will expand and cover more space than you'd think. If you want perfectly-cooked cinnamon rolls, you need to give enough space for the rolls to expand during baking.

Can you put unbaked cinnamon rolls in the fridge? ›

You can refrigerate the rolls for up to 12 hours, but try not to go any longer. The rolls are still prone to over-proofing if left in the fridge too long; and the cinnamon-sugar filling can melt and make the bottoms of the rolls syrupy and damp if left unbaked for too long.

Do you ice cinnamon rolls before or after baking? ›

Here's what you do: Using whatever frosting or icing your rolls call for (cream cheese, all butter, even the sleeve of icing from the canned variety), coat the rolls once when they are hot from the oven. The icing will melt into all the nooks and crannies.

Is it good to leave dough overnight? ›

For deeper flavour (and convenience), most doughs can be put in the fridge for their second rise and left to prove overnight. This sounds wrong, given that doughs rise fastest in warm conditions, but it really does work. Put the dough in the fridge straight after shaping, covered with oiled cling film.

Can you refrigerate roll dough overnight? ›

How far in advance can I make dinner rolls? These unbaked dinner rolls can be refrigerated for up to 18 hours before baking. Remove from the refrigerator an hour and a half before serving. Let them stand for about 1 hour 15 minutes before baking.

Do cinnamon rolls go bad if left out overnight? ›

Cinnamon rolls have a great shelf live. They stay good at room-temperature for up to 2 days, in the fridge for up to a week, and in the freezer for up to 2 months if stored properly. Store them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly with plastic wrap.

Can you refrigerate dough after it rises? ›

At which point during the dough making process would it be best to freeze or refrigerate? You can refrigerate the dough after almost any step, but after the first rise (or a little before) works best. Store it, covered, in the refrigerator for 1-3* days. Allow room for the dough to expand as it will continue to rise.

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