Imagine waking to the intoxicating aroma of warm cinnamon and vanilla wafting through your home. That’s the magic of these overnight cinnamon rolls! Each bite is a symphony of soft, pillowy dough, a gooey cinnamon-sugar swirl, and a tangy-sweet cream cheese frosting that melts in your mouth. It’s pure breakfast bliss.
My grandma used to make cinnamon rolls every Christmas morning. The entire family would gather, bleary-eyed but buzzing with excitement, waiting for those golden-brown beauties to emerge from the oven. The memory of that warm, comforting feeling is something I cherish, and this recipe is my attempt to recreate that magic for you.
What makes this recipe so special is the overnight proofing. It allows the dough to develop an incredible depth of flavor and a wonderfully light and airy texture. Additionally, the make-ahead aspect will enable you to prep everything the night before, waking up to fresh, homemade cinnamon rolls with minimal effort. Perfect for weekend brunch, holiday gatherings, or simply a special treat for your loved ones (and yourself!). These freshly baked cinnamon rolls are a warm and welcome way to start any day.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Morning Delight: Prepare the dough the night before for ultimate convenience.
- Cinnamon-Swirl Heaven: The generously spiced interior offers the perfect cinnamon rolls flavor.
- Pillowy Soft Texture: The overnight proofing creates a light and airy crumb you won’t resist.
- Versatile for Any Occasion: Perfect for weekend brunches, holidays, or a sweet weekday treat.
- Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting: The tangy and sweet frosting complements the rolls perfectly.
- Impress Your Friends and Family: Everyone loves a warm, delicious cinnamon roll!
Ingredients Breakdown
Let’s break down the secrets to achieving the perfect cinnamon rolls.
- All-Purpose Flour: This forms the base of our dough. I recommend using unbleached for the best flavor and texture. You can substitute bread flour for a slightly chewier roll.
- Instant Yeast: This is crucial for a quick and reliable rise. Make sure your yeast is fresh; otherwise, your dough may not rise properly. You can also use active dry yeast, but you’ll need to proof it in warm milk first.
- Milk: Adds moisture and richness to the dough. Whole milk is my preference for the best flavor, but you can use 2% or even a non-dairy milk like almond or soy. Just be sure it’s warmed to around 110-115°F to activate the yeast.
- Sugar: Sweetens the dough and feeds the yeast. Granulated sugar works best.
- Eggs: Adds richness, structure, and tenderness to the dough. Use large eggs for consistent results.
- Butter: Provides flavor and tenderness to the dough and filling. I always use unsalted butter so you can control the amount of salt in the recipe. The most important thing is that this butter must be melted, but slightly cooled!
- Cinnamon: The star of the show! Use high-quality ground cinnamon for the most intense flavor. Saigon cinnamon is my personal favorite for its warm, spicy notes.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a molasses-like flavor to the filling. Light or dark brown sugar will work, but dark brown sugar will give you a richer, deeper flavor.
- Cream Cheese: The base for our tangy-sweet frosting. Be sure to use full-fat cream cheese for the best flavor and texture.
- Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the frosting and gives it a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavors of both the dough and the frosting. Pure vanilla extract is always best, but you can use imitation vanilla in a pinch. This is essential, don’t skip!
Kitchen Tools Needed
Before you embark on your cinnamon rolls adventure, make sure you have these essential tools:
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Stand Mixer (optional, but recommended)
- Rolling Pin
- 9×13 inch Baking Pan
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Pastry Brush (optional)
- 【High borosilicate glass material】: The NUTRIUPS 4.7 quart large glass mixing bowl, made of high borosilicate glass, ens…
- 【Easy to clean】: With its smooth surface, this clear mixing bowl is extremely easy to clean. Simply rinse it under runni…
- 【Thick and sturdy】: The NUTRIUPS 4.7 quart large salad serving bowl is thick and sturdy, ensuring its durability and lon…
$27.54
How to Make Cinnamon Rolls
Let’s get baking these irresistible cinnamon rolls!
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, combine the warm milk, sugar, yeast, melted butter, eggs, and salt. Mix well.
- Add the Flour: Gradually add the flour, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
Baking Recipes tip: A stand mixer with a dough hook makes this step much easier, but kneading by hand works just as well. - First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size. This could take longer depending on yeast and room temperature.
- Prepare the Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Mix until well combined.
- Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a large rectangle, about 18×12 inches.
- Spread the Filling: Spread the cinnamon-sugar filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border along one edge.
- Roll It Up: Starting from the opposite edge to the small border, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the edge to seal completely.
- Slice and Arrange: Using a serrated knife or dental floss, slice the log into 12 even rolls. Place the rolls in a greased 9×13 inch baking pan. Pro tip: I like to cut them with unflavored dental floss!
- Overnight Proof: Cover the pan with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator overnight or for up to 24 hours. The cool, slow rise allows the flavors to deepen.
- Bake: In the morning, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the pan from the refrigerator and let the rolls sit at room temperature for 30 minutes while the oven preheats. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
Breads & Rolls visual clue: bake until the center rolls are fully cooked and the edges feel firm. - Prepare the Frosting: While the rolls are baking, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- Frost and Enjoy: Once the rolls are out of the oven, let them cool slightly before frosting generously with the cream cheese frosting. Serve warm and enjoy!
Pro Tips for Success
- Don’t Over-Knead the Dough: Over-kneading can result in tough cinnamon rolls. Knead just until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Use Fresh Yeast: Make sure your yeast is fresh for the best rise. If you’re unsure, proof it in warm milk before adding it to the dough.
- Room Temperature Matters: Use room-temperature ingredients for both the dough and the frosting for the best results.
- Don’t Overbake: Overbaking will dry out the rolls. Bake just until golden brown and the center rolls are set.
- Get Creative with Your Filling: Add chopped nuts, dried fruit, or chocolate chips to the filling for extra flavor and texture.
Variations and Dietary Swaps
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour blend and follow the recipe as directed. You may need to add a little extra liquid to the dough.
- Dairy-Free: Use non-dairy milk, butter, and cream cheese substitutes.
- Maple Pecan: Replace the brown sugar in the filling with maple syrup and add chopped pecans. A drizzle of maple syrup over the finished cinnamon rolls adds a delightful touch.
- Apple Cinnamon Raisin: Add diced apples and raisins to the cinnamon-sugar filling for a fall-inspired twist.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve warm with a generous dollop of cream cheese frosting.
- Garnish with chopped nuts, sprinkles, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
- Pair with a cup of hot coffee, milk, or tea.
- Make it a brunch spread with scrambled eggs, bacon, and fresh fruit. These homemade cinnamon rolls are a delightful addition to any brunch.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, microwave for 15-30 seconds, or bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes, or until warmed through. The frosting may soften slightly upon reheating. You can also freeze the baked (unfrosted) rolls for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat as directed.
Frequently Asked Questions
These overnight cinnamon rolls are guaranteed to become a family favorite, and I know you’re going to fall in love with their soft, fluffy texture and irresistible cinnamon flavor. With a little planning, you can wake up to freshly baked perfection every time!
I hope you give this recipe a try. If you do, please leave a comment below and let me know what you think! What are your favorite additions to cinnamon rolls? Don’t forget to tag Culinary Craving on Instagram and Facebook with your delicious creations!
Related Recipes
- Perfect Pumpkin Bread: A moist and flavorful pumpkin bread recipe perfect for fall baking (goes great with cinnamon rolls).
- Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies: Everyone’s favorite cookie, elevated to the next level. (The warmth of these chocolate chip cookies is wonderful with a side of the spice from cinnamon rolls)
- Easy Homemade Bagels: Learn how to make bagels from scratch with this simple recipe.
Overnight Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
Wake up to freshly baked cinnamon rolls with our make-ahead recipe. Prepare the night before and enjoy pillowy soft, cinnamon-swirled perfection in the morning.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk 110-115°F
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter melted and cooled
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, combine the warm milk, sugar, yeast, melted butter, eggs, and salt. Mix well.
- Add the Flour: Gradually add the flour, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Prepare the Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Mix until well combined.
- Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a large rectangle, about 18×12 inches.
- Spread the Filling: Spread the cinnamon-sugar filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border along one edge.
- Roll It Up: Starting from the opposite edge to the small border, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the edge to seal.
- Slice and Arrange: Using a serrated knife, slice the log into 12 even rolls. Place the rolls in a greased 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Overnight Proof: Cover the pan with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator overnight or for up to 24 hours.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove pan from refrigerator and let sit for 30 minutes. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Prepare the Frosting: While the rolls are baking, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- Frost and Enjoy: Let the rolls cool slightly before frosting generously. Serve warm.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh, high-quality ingredients.
- Don’t overbake the rolls, as they can dry out easily.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
