There are few things in life that make me feel as smug as overnight cinnamon rolls. A few simple steps the night before rewards you with the most satisfying breakfast ever, and don’t get me started on how amazing your house will smell. That cinnamon laced fug is like a warm hug on a cold Winter morning. Talk about taking the whole Hygge movement to another level.
Whipping up a yeasted bake might seem a little daunting to some, yeast is a notorious son of a bitch to work with sometimes, but I’ve made these rolls tonnes of time now and they’ve never failed. Once, I prepped them after a girls night in, more than a few glasses of wine deep. Ahem. If I can do them drunk, a monkey could probably make them sober. Plus, morning after Katie was over the moon with tipsy Katie. That rarely happens….
I’ve made these rolls with butter and I’ve made them with margarine, honestly, there isn’t an ounce of difference between the two. The only thing I noticed was if you make the frosting with marg it gets a wee yellow tinge, which isn’t overly appetising. These days I prep the rolls with margarine and make the frosting with butter. Bish bash bosh. Anything to keep these damn rising butter prices down.
Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
- Total Time: 32 minute
- Yield: 12 1x
Description
There are few things in life that make me feel as smug as overnight cinnamon rolls. A few simple steps the night before rewards you with the most satisfying breakfast ever, and don’t get me started on how amazing your house will smell.
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 7g (1 sachet) active dried yeast
- 220ml lukewarm, whole milk
- 100g caster sugar
- 75g margarine
- 2 large, free range eggs
- 500g plain flour
For the filling:
- 200g light brown sugar
- 4tbsp cinnamon (reduce to 2 or 3tbsp if you’re not a fan of a strong cinnamon taste, I love it with 4!)
- 75g margarine, softened
For the frosting:
- 100g unsalted butter, softened
- 200g icing sugar
- 50g cream cheese
- 1/2tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- To make the dough first pour the warm milk into a jug and stir in the yeast, set aside for 5 minutes to activate. You’ll know it’s working if the yeast has begun to froth.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook add the sugar, margarine, eggs, and flour and mix together. While the mixer is still running at the lowest speed, pour the milk into the dry ingredients in a slow, steady stream. Mix until everything is incorporated then turn the mixer up to medium and leave for 3 minutes.
- Spray a large mixing bowl with olive oil and pop the dough into the greased bowl, cover with a sheet of oiled cling film and leave until doubled in size. This usually takes around an hour. Don’t worry if it takes a little longer, just keep an eye on it.
- Stir the brown sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl and set aside.
- Grease a 9×13″ high sided baking tray with butter and set aside while you prepare your rolls.
- Roll your dough out on a lightly floured surface until you get a rectangular shape measuring around 19×15″. Spread the dough with the margarine then sprinkle liberally with the brown sugar cinnamon mixture. Take the longest edge of the dough and carefully roll it up into a long sausage. Cut the sausage in half then cut each half into six equally sized pieces. Place the cut rolls into the greased baking tray.
- Wrap the baking tray in clingfilm and place in the fridge overnight. The rolls will continue to rise but at a much slower pace.
- When you’re about ready to bake your rolls remove them from the fridge and check if they’ve doubled in size. If not just leave them in a warm place for 30 minutes to puff up. Once they’re doubled in size pop them into a preheated oven at 175°C and bake for 20 minutes.
- While the rolls are baking, mix the butter, icing sugar, cream cheese and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer until smooth and spreadable. Once the rolls have finished baking, allow to cool for 5 minutes before spreading with the frosting and serve immediately.
Notes
The rolls can be kept, wrapped in cling film, for 5 days. Simply reheat for 30 seconds in a microwave.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes plus rising
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
These do look great. I've never tried making anything like this before. They are making me hungry too
These cinnamon rolls look so tasty! You have officially convinced me to make a batch myself! xwww.whitneylorenxo.co.uk
I absolutely love a good cinnamon roll so these look so tasty, I'd be very smug if I work up in the morning to these x
I love a good overnight bun and make them regularly, but how on earth did you get yours so beautifully round and totally perfect? I have bun envy! haha
My family loveee cinnamon rolls, so will defo give these a go, I’m sure they’ll go down a treat.
You've made me so hungry now! I'm definitely going to be making these when I get home from my holiday, thank you!
oh god these look sooooo good! Do you think you could bake me a gluten free version??? 🙂
oh my word, these look incredible. I know what I want to eat as soon as veganuary is over!! lol 🙂
I'm in love I'm in love and I don't care who knows it!! These look INCREDIBLE- the perfect Sunday morning breakfast!
Oh my goodness I think I am heaven! I really need to try these, I am a huge fan of a good cinnamon roll and I know Ash loves them as well so perfect breakfast idea for this household.
I love cinnamon rolls big time, my mum often made them when I was young and now I want to try your recipe
I love cinnamon rolls but haven´t got round to making them myself yet! Yours look delish!
These sound amazing! Would be more than happy to eat these for breakfast 😀 x
I'm definitely making these asap! Might have to try halving the recipe though…NINEGRANDSTUDENT: A Foodie Blog
I've never been a fan of cinnamon as a flavour but they do look rather tasty! I might swap the cinnamon for jam instead aha x
my absolute favourite. these look so perfect in terms of the filling to dough ratio haha
YUM!! I love cinammon rolls, although Ive never made my own! You cant beat something lovely and doughy and delicious like this!
My daughter absolutely loves cinnamon, she would love these, they look amazing. Kaz
Ooh I love cinnamon rolls and these look absolutely delicious – I might have to make some!
The sober monkey would probably still be a better cook than me, I'm so hopeless in the kitchen sometimes. They look delicious, maybe one day when I have the house to myself I will give these a go
I could seriously go one of these just now! They're beautiful and sound super easy to make too. Thanks for the recipe!
I love anything that involves getting it ready the night before – what a fab and easy thing just to pop in the oven when the kids are getting ready I'm going to give this a go!
OMG. These look amazing. I love cinnamon rolls, but I'm not confident using yeast in recipes.
Oh my goodness these look and sound amazing! I’ve always loved cinnamon flavoured goodies during the colder months so these will be perfect for me to make!
I love the look of cinnamon rolls but dislike cinammon. Any tips on what else to use as a filling/flavour? X
You could use chopped up chocolate or Nutella. Jams would work well too :)Katie xoxo
Oh these look so good! I've never tried baking these so will definitely give it a go now I know how easy they are. I bet the house will smell amazing when they are baking.
I love the sound of this cinnamon rolls recipe. Will try it.
Oh yum these look amazing. I love cinnamon rolls but have never made my own.
Oh my actual GOD, these are my favourite thing… I first had them when I was a teenager on a school trip to America and it was love at first bite. So soft, so delicious… nice work lady!
We love cinnamon, so must try making these rolls at home. Never realised how easy they were 🙂
Just made these! Dead simple recipe made baking these rolls a breeze. Foolproof as promised and totally delicious! Highly recommended 🙂
These look amazing!I'm planning to do some baking this weekend, so I might make these with my little sisters :)Charlotte | https://charlotteidek.com
Oh my god these look SO good. Cinnamon Rolls are literally one of my fav baked goods but I can never really find ones that I like from bakeries and places like that. Julia // The Sunday Mode
I’ve made these three times now and turned out perfectly each time. Brilliant recipe, did it exactly as written. Really impressed. Thank you.
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So glad you like them! They really are special 🙂
Katie xoxo
was just wondering, is it definitely 4tbsp of cinnamon?? Just I tried the recipe and I feel I went overboard 🙁
Hi, I’ve always made this with the full 4tbsp as I love a good strong cinnamon flavour. You can reduce it if you like but I love this recipe with the full amount.
Katie xoxo
This was our spring lockdown weekend breakfast treat, and looks as though it’s going to get us through the next lockdown too. They are really easy to make, and the children loved helping too.
Ahhh I’m so happy you guys enjoyed them through lockdown! Looks like I’ll be joining you and making them to cheer myself up through the next one 🙂
Katie xoxo
These are going to be our Christmas morning breakfast! Hopefully a new tradition is born!
Can I check if it’s 220g of whole milk or 220ml?
Cannot wait to give these a go!!
Hi,
It’s 220ml 🙂 I hope you enjoy them!
Katie xoxo
Are the measurements correct as it makes a very liquid dough.
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HI Dave,
The measurements are correct, I’ve had hundreds of people make this recipe on Instagram and it seems to turn out fine every time. Sorry it didn’t work out for you.