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+ servings

Overnight Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

April Freeman
Our recipe for homemade cinnamon rolls is very similar to most others that you will find, except for one major difference. These rolls are made the night before you want to serve them. The dough is mixed up, kneaded, and rolled out in the evening.
Prep Time 8 hours 25 minutes
Baking Time 20 minutes
Total Time 8 hours 45 minutes
Cuisine American
Servings 8 Servings

Equipment

  • Measuring Cup
  • Medium-Sized Bowl
  • Electric Mixer
  • Rolling Pin
  • Baking Pan

Ingredients
  

Dough Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Milk
  • 2 tbsp Butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/4 cup Sugar
  • 1 pc Egg
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Active Dry Yeast
  • 2 cups All-Purpose Flour

Filling Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp Softened Butter
  • 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Cinnamon

Cream Cheese Icing Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp Softened Butter
  • 2 ounces Room Temperature Cream Cheese
  • 3/4 cup Powdered Sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon Milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon Vanilla

Instructions
 

  • The night before you want to bake the cinnamon rolls, measure out the milk, butter, salt, and sugar into a measuring cup.
  • Microwave these ingredients in a measuring cup for 20-30 seconds. Stir until the butter is melted. Test the temperature of the mixture.
  • It should be warm like a warm bath. If it’s not, microwave in 10-15 second bursts, stirring in between each burst. You don’t want it too hot, or you will kill your yeast.
  • Crack the egg into the milk mixture, using a fork to mix it into the mixture.
  • Once the milk is the right temperature, place about 1 ½ cups of the flour and the yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer with a dough hook.
  • Use a fork or spoon to mix the dry ingredients well.
  • Add the warm liquids and beat the dough for two or three minutes.
  • Add the remaining flour a little at a time until a soft dough is formed.
  • Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead it by hand for two or three minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic.
  • Turn the mixing bowl upside down over the top of the dough ball and allow it to rest for about 20 minutes. Don’t skip this step because it allows the gluten in the dough to develop and make it nice and stretchy.
  • While you’re waiting for the gluten to develop, go ahead, and mix up the icing ingredients.
  • In a medium-sized bowl with an electric mixer, mix together the cream cheese and butter until they are light and creamy.
  • Add the powdered sugar a little at a time and beat well. Add the milk and vanilla, beating well.
  • Place the icing in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator until the next morning.
  • Spray a 9-inch square baking pan or a 9 inch round cake pan with cooking spray.
  • Using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll the dough ball out onto a floured surface into a rectangle that is about 9 by 7 inches.
  • Spread the softened butter over the surface of the rectangle.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture over the butter on the dough rectangle, spreading it evenly.
  • Roll the rectangle from the long edge to create a long, cylindrical roll.
  • Using a sharp serrated knife gently saw through the dough to create six to eight evenly sized cinnamon rolls.
  • Place these rolls in the greased pan and cover the pan with plastic wrap. Place the pan in the fridge overnight.
  • Next morning, remove the pan from the refrigerator, remove the plastic wrap, and allow the dough to come to room temperature, letting it sit for about 20 to 25 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Bake the cinnamon rolls for about 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned.
  • Let the rolls cool for 15 to 20 minutes before topping with icing and serving.

Notes

Then the unbaked cinnamon rolls go into the refrigerator where they rise all night long while you are sound asleep in bed. Next morning first thing, take the rolls out of the refrigerator and allow the pan to come to room temperature on the countertop. While you’re waiting on this, go ahead, preheat the oven, make your coffee, and take your shower.
Once the rolls are room temperature, put the pan in the oven and bake them. Sounds almost too easy right? Actually, it is just that easy. You can prepare a delicious, home-baked breakfast for the people you love without getting up at the crack of dawn to do so.
If you have had the foresight to create the cream cheese icing the night before as well, you can easily bake this breakfast from scratch without having to spend much time in the kitchen first thing in the day. Of course, your loved ones may think that you made the sacrifice of waking up really early for their breakfast celebration. Only you can decide whether or not to tell them your secret.
Most cinnamon roll recipes create a dozen or more rolls. Unless you are taking the rolls to share with others at work or you have a very large family, those recipes make way too much for most families. This recipe only creates six to eight cinnamon rolls, which is the perfect recipe size for most families. If you do want to bake a dozen cinnamon rolls, feel free to double the recipe. It should work just fine.
Keyword Breakfast, Cinnamon Rolls, Recipe

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