Overnight Cinnamon Rolls - Tastes Better from Scratch (2024)

This Overnight Cinnamon Rolls recipe results in big, fluffy, delicious cinnamon rolls that you can make the night before! Top with cream cheese frosting to make them next-level!

Want to try more breakfast favorites? Check out my Cranberry Orange Scones, Breakfast Casserole, or learn How to Make Crepes!

Why I love these:

• Make Ahead – The entire recipe is made the night before, so all you have to do in the morning is bake and enjoy.
• Cream Cheese Frosting – Traditional glaze is tasty too, but thick and creamy cream cheese frosting is my all time favorite on cinnamon rolls.
• Delicious – This easy cinnamon rolls recipe results in big, fluffy, and delicious cinnamon rolls! Perfect for a special morning or for guests!

How to make Overnight Cinnamon Rolls:

Proof Yeast: Add yeast, warm milk, and ½ teaspoon sugar to mixing bowl and stir. Rest for 5 minutes; mixture should get foamy.

Make Dough: Add salt, sugar, egg, butter, and 2 cups of flour to the mixing bowl. Mix on medium speed until combined. Add another cup of flour and continue mixing. Add more flour as needed until dough pulls away from the bottom and sides of bowl. Dough should be smooth and elastic but slightly sticky.

First Rise: Place dough in a large greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 ½ hours or until doubled.

Roll and fill: Punch down and roll into a 20″x18″ rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Smooth butter on top. Sprinkle cinnamon and brown sugar mixture, leaving a ½ inch border.

Shape and cut: Starting at the short end, roll the dough into a tight log. Slice with a serrated knife or dental floss into 1.5 inch thick slices.

Refrigerate overnight: Place rolls in a buttered 9×13 dish. Cover pan tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil and place in refrigerator overnight.

Second rise: In the morning, remove rolls from the fridge and allow to come to room temperature and rise for 1 ½ to 2 hours, or until doubled.

Bake at 375 degrees F for 18-23 minutes, until golden and cooked through.

Add frosting: Spread cream cheese frosting on warm rolls and enjoy!

How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting:

• Beat cream cheese with electric mixers until smooth. Add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla and mix well until smooth.
• Add additional milk or powdered sugar to make the frosting thicker, or thinner, as desired.

Storage and Freezing Instructions:

To Store: Store leftover cooled homemade cinnamon rolls in an airtight container for 3-5 days. Rewarm individually in microwave for about 15 seconds or until soft.

To Freeze: Baked rolls can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm in the microwave for a few seconds. To freeze unbaked cinnamon rolls, bake the assembled rolls for only 12 minutes at 375°F. Cool completely, then cover well and freeze. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then return to oven for 10-15 minutes, until cooked through.

Recipe Variations:

• Instant Yeast: to substitute instant yeast, skip the first step of proofing the yeast and add the yeast, 2 cups flour, sugar and salt to stand mixer before adding water, milk, egg, and butter.
• Orange Rolls
• Classic Cinnamon Rolls
• Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
• Lemon Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls

I originally shared this recipe February 2017. Updated December 2021.

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