Description
These overnight cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing allow for a 10-minute prep the night before, resulting in fresh, gooey, restaurant-quality breakfasts with zero morning stress.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F/43°C)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (2 packets)
- ¼ cup granulated white sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 3 ½ to 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (for filling)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
- 4 oz full-fat block cream cheese, softened (for icing)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened (for icing)
- 1 ½ to 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1–2 tablespoons milk or cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Add melted butter, egg, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix on low until combined.
- Gradually add flour and knead on medium-low speed for 5-7 minutes until dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky.
- Optionally, let dough rise in a greased bowl for 15 minutes.
- Roll dough into a 12×18 inch rectangle on a floured surface.
- Spread softened butter over the dough, leaving a border. Sprinkle with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Roll dough tightly into a log and cut into 12 equal pieces.
- Place rolls cut-side up in a 9×13 inch baking pan, touching each other.
- Cover pan tightly and refrigerate for 8-12 hours (overnight).
- Next morning, let rolls sit on counter for 20-30 minutes while oven preheats to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and centers feel set.
- While baking, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk to make icing.
- Let rolls cool in pan for 5-10 minutes, then spread icing over warm rolls and serve.
Notes
Ensure milk is warm but not hot to avoid killing yeast. Dough should be tacky, not sticky. For best results, use block cream cheese for icing, not spreadable tub cream cheese. Rolls can be frozen unbaked after cutting.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 28
- Sodium: 220
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 52
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 6
Keywords: overnight cinnamon rolls, cream cheese icing, make ahead breakfast, easy cinnamon rolls, yeast dough, family breakfast