Wake up to the smells of freshly-baked homemade overnight cinnamon rolls! They're easy to make and are perfect for any holiday, birthday, or special occasion breakfast.
All you have to do is mix all the ingredients together, form the rolls and let them rise in the fridge overnight. Then the next morning, remove the casserole dish from the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature.
Bake the rolls as your family wakes up to a special breakfast treat!
Check out all my other Best Cinnamon Roll Recipes for even more deliciousness!
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With just a few simple ingredients, like butter, sugar, cinnamon, and refrigerated dough, this recipe can make any holiday or celebratory morning special.
You'll have soft, fluffy cinnamon rolls that are sure to delight everyone at the breakfast table! This recipe is similar to my Bread Machine Overnight Cinnamon Rolls, only we make the dough using an electric stand mixer.
Looking for more breakfast ideas to serve for the holidays? Try my Easy Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Casserole or my Cinnamon Roll Casserole without Eggs...yum!
Table of Contents
- Overnight Cinnamon Roll Recipe
- Proofing Cinnamon Rolls Overnight
- How to give cinnamon rolls as a gift?
- 🛒Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Ingredients
- Recipe Notes
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- How to Scald Milk
- Overnight Rising Instructions
- Expert Tip
- Baking Instructions
- Cinnamon Roll Frosting Recipe
- Serving Tips
- LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
- Storing Leftover Cinnamon Roll Tips
- Reheating Tips
- Recipe FAQ
- More Recipes to Love
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
Overnight Cinnamon Roll Recipe
Many years ago I started making homemade overnight cinnamon rolls for breakfast for Christmas morning. It was a recipe I found in a magazine.
Need I say anymore? This was before everyone had the internet in their homes or even personal computers. But more importantly, this was way before my Walking on Sunshine Recipes blog started.
Proofing Cinnamon Rolls Overnight
With an overnight refrigerator cinnamon roll recipe, you can have a hot treat ready in the morning without all the early-morning fussing. Simply shape the dough into rolls and let them rise overnight in the refrigerator.
In the morning, bake and prepare your cinnamon rolls so they're ready to serve. You'll be amazed how relatively simple it is to get a special breakfast on the table without spending all morning in the kitchen!
Check out this collection of 15 Overnight Cinnamon Roll Recipes for more ideas!
How to give cinnamon rolls as a gift?
Follow the instructions to make Homemade Cinnamon Rolls only do not bake them. Instead follow these simple steps to freeze the cinnamon rolls:
- Once you have the cinnamon rolls sliced, place them on a baking sheet that's been lined with parchment paper. Place the baking sheet in the freezer to flash freeze the rolls. This should take about an hour.
- Once the rolls are solid, remove them from the baking tray and place in a freezer safe plastic bag. Then place the bag in the freezer until you're ready to give your gift.
- Prepare the frosting according to the directions in the recipe. Place the frosting in a small air-tight container, label and add to the freezer as well.
Check out the full instructions for Freezer-Friendly Cinnamon Rolls and the printable gift labels with baking instructions.
🛒Helpful Kitchen Tools
Pyrex Basics Clear Oblong Glass Baking Dishes -More InformationPyrex Basics 3 Quart Glass Oblong Baking DishMore InformationSpode - Classic Christmas Tree Design Earthenware DinnerMore InformationChristmas Theme Holiday-Inspired Ceramic Dinner Plates 8More InformationWhaline Christmas Cloth Napkins Red Black Buffalo PlaidMore Information
Ingredients
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!
Recipe Notes
- It's really important that you allow the casserole dish to sit out on the counter for at least 30 to 60 minutes to come to room temperature the next day before baking in the oven.
- This is especially important if you’re using a glass baking dish. You should never put a glass baking dish directly from the refrigerator into the oven.
- You need to allow the contents of the casserole dish to come to room temperature so there’s no chance of the glass casserole dish shattering when it’s suddenly exposed to high heat from an oven.
- Allow the cinnamon rolls to cool for about 15 minutes before spreading your glaze on top. If you spread the glaze too soon, it will melt and not be the proper consistency.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in ½ cup of warm water and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Cover the bowl with a small plate and set it aside for about 5 minutes until the yeast proofs, indicated by the presence of bubbles on top and its growth.
Step 2: In a KitchenAid mixer bowl with the dough hook attachment, blend scalded milk, white sugar, melted butter, salt, and 1 egg. Slowly add 2 cups of flour until combined, then mix in the yeast mixture and remaining flour until dough is non-sticky.
How to Scald Milk
Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring continuously. Remove from heat when bubbles and steam emerge, ensuring it doesn't boil. Let it cool to 110°F before adding it into the yeast mixture, using a digital thermometer to verify temperature accuracy and prevent yeast damage.
Step 3: Set the machine to low speed and let it knead the dough for approximately 5 minutes, adding extra flour as necessary.
Step 4: Transfer the dough onto a floured board and knead it by hand until smooth. Then, place the dough into a greased bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rise until doubled in size, which typically takes about an hour.
Step 5: Once doubled, deflate the dough, transfer it to a floured surface, roll it out to 15 x 10 inches, and brush with melted butter.
Step 6: Spread the cinnamon-brown sugar mixture over the melted butter. Starting from one end, roll the dough into a single long roll, then slice it into 12 pieces or smaller according to your preference.
Overnight Rising Instructions
Step 7: Arrange the cinnamon rolls in a greased 9 x 13 Pyrex glass baking dish, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.
Expert Tip
Make sure you allow the baking dish to come to room temperature before adding it to the oven. This procedure promotes additional rising of the cinnamon rolls prior to baking and will ensure that the Pyrex dish attains room temperature as well, mitigating the risk of potential bursting in a heated oven.
Baking Instructions
The following morning, remove the baking dish from the refrigerator and let the rolls rest on the counter for approximately an hour, allowing them to reach room temperature. Once both rolls and dish are at room temperature, bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 30 minutes.
Cinnamon Roll Frosting Recipe
Step 8: While the cinnamon rolls are baking, prepare the Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting.
Serving Tips
Allow the cinnamon rolls to cool for a few minutes before topping them with the cream cheese frosting. Applying the frosting too soon might result in melting and an undesirable consistency.
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Storing Leftover Cinnamon Roll Tips
Refrigerator: Freshly baked cinnamon rolls can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days...if they last that long!
Freezer: You can freeze them for up to 3 months. Make sure they are well wrapped to prevent them from drying out or absorbing any unwanted odors.
Thawing Tips: Allow them to thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheating Tips
Microwave: Place a single cinnamon roll on a microwave-safe plate and heat it in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds. If reheating multiple rolls, increase the time accordingly but be careful not to overheat them, as it can make them tough.
Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the cinnamon rolls on a baking sheet and cover them loosely with aluminum foil. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. If you prefer a slightly crispier exterior, you can remove the foil for the last few minutes of baking.
Toaster Oven: Place the cinnamon rolls in a toaster oven and heat them at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through.
Air Fryer Method: Heat the cinnamon rolls in a preheated 320°F air fryer for about 3-5 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of the rolls. Check them periodically to prevent overcooking.
Recipe FAQ
To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!
Generally, it is not recommended to leave cinnamon roll dough out overnight. Cinnamon roll dough should be kept in the refrigerator and allowed to proof slowly overnight for best results.
More Recipes to Love
- For a holiday brunch, you can also serve my Breakfast Casserole with Eggs and Sausage with the Overnight Cinnamon Rolls.
- Check out this recipe for making Instant Pot Cinnamon Rolls.
📖 Recipe Card
Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ cup water 105°F - 110°F degrees
- ½ cup milk scaled; see note below.
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup butter melted
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- 3 ½ to 4 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup butter melted
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons butter softened
- 2 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Method
- In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in ½ cup warm water. Add 1 teaspoon sugar. Cover the bowl with a small plate and set aside for the yeast to proof.
- In the bowl of a KitchenAid mixer with the dough hook attachment, combine the ½ cup scalded milk (see note below), ¼ cup white sugar, ⅓ cup melted butter, salt and 1 egg.
- Add in 2 cups of flour and on low speed mix until combined.
- Add the yeast mixture and then the remaining flour until dough does not stick to bottom or sides of bowl.
- Turn the machine to low speed and allow the mixer to knead the dough for you for about 5 minutes adding a little additional flour as needed. You'll know you need to add more flour if the dough starts to stick again to the sides of the bowl.
- Turn the dough out on to a floured board and knead a few times by hand to make it smooth. Place the dough into a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap.
- Cover and let rise until doubled in size; about one hour.
- Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and remove from the bowl onto a lightly floured surface.
- Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out into a rectangle about 15 inches by 10 inches.
- Brush the melted butter over the entire surface of the dough using a pastry brush.
- Combine the brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Then spread evenly over the entire surface of the dough.
- Beginning at one end, start rolling the dough up.
- Slice the dough into 12 to 14 pieces, or smaller if you prefer.
- Place the cinnamon rolls in a buttered 9 X 13 baking dish.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or see notes below to FREEZE THE CINNAMON ROLLS to use at a later date.
- In the morning, remove the cinnamon rolls from the refrigerator and let come to room temperature, about another hour. They will rise again.
- Bake in a 350°F preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until slightly brown.
- While the cinnamon rolls are baking, prepare your icing by combining together all the ingredients in the bowl of a KitchenAid mixer.
- Allow the cinnamon rolls to cool for a few minutes before adding the cream cheese frosting.
- Once you have the cinnamon rolls sliced, place them on a baking sheet that's been lined with parchment paper.
- Place the baking sheet in the freezer to flash freeze the rolls. This should take about an hour or two.
- Once the rolls are solid, remove and place then in a single layer in freezer safe plastic bags.
- Return to freezer for up to two to three months.
- When you're ready to enjoy the cinnamon rolls, remove the desired amount from the freezer and place them in a greased baking dish making sure to leave room for the cinnamon rolls to expand as they defrost.
- Allow them to double in size and come to room temperature.
- Bake and add icing as directed above.
Nutrition
Notes
How to Scald Milk:
- Place the milk in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir constantly.
- When bubbles and steam start to appear remove from heat. You don't want the milk to boil, so watch it closely.
- Allow to cool to 110 degrees before adding to yeast mixture. Use a digital thermometer to check the temperature. If you add the milk when it's too hot, it will destroy the yeast.
Very Important Note:
- You need to allow the casserole dish to sit out on the counter for at least 60 minutes to come to room temperature the next day before baking in the oven.
- This is especially important if you’re using a glass baking dish. You should never put a glass baking dish directly from the refrigerator into the oven.
- You need to allow the contents of the casserole dish to come to room temperature so there’s no chance of the glass casserole dish shattering when it’s suddenly exposed to high heat from an oven.
Give Homemade Cinnamon Rolls as a Gift:
- Free printable labels and gift tags HERE for you to use and give something yummy to friends and family.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2014 with new photos, information and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!
Tara says
These are easy and delicious, but the amount of ads is insane and why can’t the temp and time be in the recipe so I don’t have to scroll though all the ads
Lois says
The ads help me continue to provide FREE recipes. The temperature and baking time are both listed in the printable recipe card. I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Kerryanne says
Cinnamon Rolls are one of my favourite indulgences when I visit the US Lois, so I look forward to trying your recipe.
Thank you for sharing this recipe at Create, Bake, Grow & Gather this week. I'm delighted to be featuring your Cinnamon Rolls recipe at this week's party and pinning too.
Happy New Year,
Kerryanne
Lois says
Thank you for the feature! And thank you for hosting your party every week.
Nicolle says
Lois these look delicious! Thank you so much for linking up your recipe at my weekly link party! I'm happy to be featuring you this week!
Happy New Year!
Lois says
Thank you for visiting and hosting your party every week.
Sami L. says
I got mine all ready in the refrigerator right now!! I can't wait for tomorrow to bake these! They look so good and they're not even cooked yet. Thank you for the recipe. 😁
Lois says
Thank you for the great comment! I hope your family enjoys the cinnamon rolls! Please come back and let me know!
Mike Sr. says
Great recipe! Before I dive into it I would like to know if the filling ingredients can be mixed together to form sort of a paste and spread out on the rolled out dough rather than brushing the butter on first then adding the cinnamon sugar?
Lois says
I've never tried that. Let me know if you do and how it turns out! Thank you for visiting.
Seher says
My cinnamon rolls turned out quite hard and not at all soft and fluffy out of the ice . Followed your recipe to the T, could there be a reason for their texture ?
Lois says
I'm not really sure why they turned out hard. Did you allow them to come to room temperature? That can take some time.
Marisa Naro says
Do you use the entire 1/2 cup of melted butter or just use what you need to generously cover the surface and discard the rest?
Lois says
Yes, use the entire 1/2 cup. If you find it's too much, you can always cut it back and not use it all. Thank you for visiting!
Megan says
Can I make these if I don’t have a stand mixer and paddle attachment? Can I use a hand mixer to combine and use hands to knead?
Lois says
Yes, you can still make these without a stand mixer. A hand mixer works well for combining the butter, sugar, and vanilla. Once the flour is added and the dough becomes thicker, switch to mixing by hand and gently bring the dough together until it forms and holds its shape. Please let me know how they turn out for you!
Sue says
I made these today and froze them as directed. Do you think if I take them out of the freezer the night before I want to bake them, they will have time to thaw and rise in the refrigerator overnight?
Lois says
Hi Sue, Take the frozen cinnamon rolls out of the freezer and place in the refrigerator the day before you want to bake them. Then in the morning, let them sit on the counter or in a warm area in your kitchen for about an hour and then bake. You're going to love this recipe!
Sue says
Thank you! They are in the freezer. Can’t wait to bake them!
Lois says
Hope you have a Merry Christmas!!! Thank you for visiting.
Maria Starkey says
Wondering if an egg replacement will change these or if anyone has tried using it in the recipe. I’ve got to do it for a family member who has a terrible allergy.
Lois says
Thank you for asking! I personally haven’t tested this recipe with an egg substitute yet, and I don’t have feedback from readers who have tried it. However, many bakers do have success in similar yeasted cinnamon roll recipes using a flax “egg” (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water) or about 1/4 cup applesauce per egg. The rolls may turn out slightly less rich, but they should still bake up nicely. If you try it, I’d love to hear how it goes!
Tarah says
My family simply cannot get enough of this recipe… I’ve made these cinnamon rolls 4 times in the last two months! I follow the instructions exactly as written, and they turn out perfect every single time….the only “deviation” is that I make a double batch of the icing, because it is THAT good. Thank you so much for such a delicious recipe! This is now a staple in our household.
Lois says
What a wonderful comment! Thank you so much!
Olivia Rose says
So delicious!! Yummy yummy wanna try this soon. My munchkins will love it. Thanks for the recipe.
Lois says
Thank you!!!
Marilyn Lesniak says
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Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too! Please stay safe and healthy. Come party with us at Over The Moon! Catapult your content Over The Moon! @marilyn_lesniak @EclecticRedBarn
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