Making homemade cinnamon rolls is a time-consuming process. Between making the dough, letting the dough rise (twice, for that matter), assembling them, and baking, there’s just no way to feasibly make them for breakfast without waking up at the crack of dawn. But overnight cinnamon rolls are a different story: By doing the bulk of the work the night before you can wake up, immediately pop them in the oven, and enjoy warm, ooey-gooey cinnamon rolls in no time.
The problem is that not all cinnamon roll recipes are written that way, so you might think that your go-to recipe can’t be made in advance. Luckily, any cinnamon roll recipe can be turned into an overnight version and without much effort—you just need to know how. Here’s everything you need to know about turning any cinnamon roll recipe into overnight cinnamon rolls.
How to Turn Any Cinnamon Roll Recipe into Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
Overnight cinnamon rolls refers to any cinnamon roll recipe that utilizes a slow, refrigerated rise for the final proofing. Which means that turning a standard cinnamon roll recipe into an overnight version is a surprisingly simple process. For any yeasted cinnamon roll recipe, follow the recipe as-written right up until the second rising step. Instead of letting the rolls rise at room temperature and baking them, you’ll cut and arrange the rolls in the baking pan, tightly cover them with plastic wrap, immediately transfer them to the fridge and let them rest overnight. (Do not leave them out at room temperature for any longer than needed.) The cold temperature of the refrigerator slows down the rising process, preventing the rolls from overproofing. The next morning you can bake the rolls without having to bring them to room temperature or let them rise again. For example, if you are using this recipe you would follow it as-written all the way up to step nine before popping them into 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.
Also note that some cinnamon roll recipes are made with chemical leaveners versus yeast. Sadly, these recipes can’t be turned into an overnight recipe.
How to Customize Your Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
Once you know how to adapt a standard cinnamon roll recipe into an overnight version, you can take that knowledge and use it to adapt the recipe into countless other overnight variations.
To make savory rolls, make the dough as is and swap out the cinnamon-sugar filling for garlic butter, shredded cheese, or chopped fresh herbs (or a combo of all three). Then just assemble and refrigerate overnight.
To completely switch up the form, you can make the dough, let it rise, then cut it into small pieces and roll them into balls. Toss the balls in melted butter, toss in cinnamon sugar, and arrange in a Bundt pan. Refrigerate the balls overnight and bake in the morning for a fuss-free monkey bread.
Or for anyone who wants to utilize the overnight method but is looking for something other than cinnamon, try swapping out the cinnamon-sugar filling for granulated combined with pulverized freeze-dried strawberries or your favorite fruit preserve. The possibilities of utilizing the overnight method to make homemade, fresh-from-the-oven breakfast bakes achievable is limitless.
FAQs
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.
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!
How do you keep buns soft overnight? ›
Paper bags are more breathable than plastic, which is great for brioche rolls, soft buns, and other breads with added fat. But too much air will make the bread go stale quickly. Consider keeping these bags airtight as best you can. Then there's the bread box: it balances moisture and air circulation.
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.
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.”
Why are my cinnamon rolls not light and fluffy? ›
There are a lot of variables that go into the consistency of dough, even down to the weather and humidity. But the most common reason cinnamon rolls don't turn out fluffy is because the dough didn't have enough time to rise.
Is heavy cream and heavy whipping cream the same thing? ›
Is Heavy Cream the Same as Heavy Whipping Cream? 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 you refrigerate uncooked cinnamon roll dough? ›
These are easy to make ahead. 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.
How to proof cinnamon rolls? ›
Let the Dough Rise Overnight
Another option for proofing cinnamon roll dough is letting it rise overnight in the refrigerator. A cold fermentation process means the yeast releases carbon dioxide more slowly, which results in a more complex, robust flavor.
Don't Overbake Cinnamon Rolls
Overbaked cinnamon rolls are tough and chewy instead of light and pillowy. Since it can be a bit tricky to know when rolls are fully baked, use a digital thermometer. Bake cinnamon rolls until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches between 190°and 200°F.
What happens if you add too much flour to cinnamon rolls? ›
Too much flour in your dough will give you dry, dense rolls. You can always add a bit more flour after it has kneaded if it's too sticky to work with.
How to help dough rise quickly? ›
A Bowl of Steaming Water is the Key to Quickly Proofing Bread. In the winter, when your house and kitchen are at a crisp temperature and you need a warm spot for your dough to rise, create a makeshift “proof box” by placing a bowl of steaming water inside your oven alongside your bowl of dough.
How do you keep cinnamon rolls from getting hard? ›
Don't Overmix the Dough
When making cinnamon rolls, mix the dough just until the ingredients are incorporated and the dough is smooth and soft. Overmixed dough leads to tough cinnamon rolls. The dough is ready when it pulls away from the sides of the mixing bowl and feels tacky but doesn't stick to your fingers.
How do you keep cinnamon rolls from drying out? ›
How to Store Gooey Cinnamon Rolls. Homemade cinnamon rolls are best served fresh and warm – right out of the oven if possible! You can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for a day. Rewarm in the oven or microwave before serving.
How do you make cinnamon rolls soft again? ›
Reheat In Oven
Add a little dribble of water (1 teaspoon per roll) over each to rehydrate them as they are reheated. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. This will trap steam and rehydrate the rolls as they warm up. This will make sure they are soft and delicious.
How do you keep store bought cinnamon rolls moist? ›
Once your rolls are bathed in cream, pop the dish into the preheated oven and bake according to the package instructions. As the cinnamon rolls bake, the heavy whipping cream works its magic, infusing each roll with unparalleled moisture and creating a texture that's soft, tender, and utterly irresistible.
