Overnight Cinnamon Rolls

These easy-to-make overnight cinnamon rolls might require a night in the fridge, but they’re uncomplicated and simple to throw together for a special breakfast. Served with hot coffee and a side of berries, these are bound to become a weekend tradition. The recipe calls for simple ingredients, requires basic baking skills and can be customized to your liking. Serve these piping hot with warm glaze dripping down the sides to truly enjoy this morning treat’s decadence. The best part? This recipe makes a relatively large batch, so you’ll have plenty of leftovers.

Ingredients for Overnight Cinnamon Rolls

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• Active dry yeast: To activate the yeast, add about 1-1/2 cups of warm water
• Eggs and butter: These key ingredients will be creamed together before adding other ingredients. Additional butter will be used for the cinnamon filling, too.
• Sugar: For a deeper flavor with notes of molasses, you can use coconut sugar here. Otherwise, regular granulated sugar is just fine.
• Salt: This recipe requires just two teaspoons of salt, but it will help balance the sweetness regardless.
• All-purpose flour: Using yeast with your flour, you’ll have a nice, fluffy cinnamon roll that’ll feel like it came straight from the bakery.
• Brown sugar and cinnamon: Together with butter, these two sweet ingredients will make a decadent filling.
• Confectioner’s sugar, half-and-half cream, vanilla extract: You’ll combine these three ingredients for the glaze at the end.

Directions

Step 1: Make the dough

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In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine eggs, butter, sugar, salt, yeast mixture (once proofed) and 3 cups of flour. Beat the mixture on medium speed until fully combined and smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a very soft dough.

Editor’s note:The dough will be sticky at this point. Do not knead. Cover and refrigerate it overnight.

Step 2: Make filling

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In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar and cinnamon. Turn out the chilled dough onto a floured surface and divide the dough in half. Roll one portion in an 18×12 inch rectangle and spread with 1/4 cup of butter to within 1/2 inch of edges. Sprinkle the rectangle with half of the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture.

Step 3: Roll and repeat

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Roll jelly-roll style, starting with a long side. Punch at the seam to seal, and then cut into 12 slices. Place each slice in a greased 13×9-in. baking pan, cut side down. Repeat these steps with the remaining dough and filling.

Step 4: Rise and bake

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Cover rolls with kitchen towels and let dough rise in a warm place until doubled, about one hour. Preheat oven to 375°F. Once the oven reaches the desired temperature, bake the rolls for 20 to 25 minutes or until lightly golden brown.

Step 5: Make glaze

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Meanwhile, in a small bowl mix confectioner’s sugar, cream and vanilla and spread it over warm rolls and serve.

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Recipe Variations

• Add nuts: Chopped nuts are delicious compliment to the brown sugar and cinnamon filling. Our favorites for this overnight cinnamon roll recipe include walnuts, pecans and hazelnuts.
• Decorate with raisins: Generously roll raisins in with the dough.

How to Store Overnight Cinnamon Rolls

You can store any leftover overnight cinnamon rolls in an airtight container in the fridge—wait until the rolls have completely cooled. You can also leave them in the baking pan and wrap the top in plastic wrap, avoiding the glaze.

How long do overnight cinnamon rolls last?

Provided that you store them in an airtight container,  these yummy cinnamon rolls for up to five days. If you want them warmed up again, simply reheat an individual roll for 15 seconds in the microwave or until it is soft and warmed on the inside.

Overnight Cinnamon Roll Tips

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Can you make these vegan?

Yes. The only ingredients that you’ll need to swap out are the butter and half-and-half cream. These are easy to substitute— replace the butter with your favorite vegan baking butter or coconut oil and swap out the half and half for canned coconut milk.

How do I achieve a really moist cinnamon roll?

These overnight cinnamon rolls are actually quite moist due to the butter in this recipe. If you want a softer, doughy texture, add more butter at the end. Once the overnight cinnamon rolls are formed and in the pan, place pats of butter across the top of the rolls. As they bake, the butter will melt and drizzle down over the tops of the rolls.

Can I leave out the glaze?

Absolutely! There’s no need to glaze these cinnamon rolls because they’re sweet and tasty enough with just the filling. If you’d like, reserve some extra cinnamon and sugar until the end and lightly sprinkle it over the top of the rolls as they’re cooling. This is especially tasty if you’ve added extra butter.

What can I serve with this overnight cinnamon roll recipe?

Overnight cinnamon rolls are a delightful addition to a large brunch spread. They’re sweet so we recommend you go for some savory options to round out your table. Some favorite recipes to include are protein-filled breakfast casseroles or this cheesy vegetable egg dish.