Name: Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
Prep time: 8 h
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 8 h 40 min
Yield: 9
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 ½ cups (420 g) flour; 2 ¼ tsp (1 package) (1/4 ounce/7g) dry active yeast; 2 tbsp (25 g) of sugar; 1 tsp salt (5 ml); 1 tsp (5 ml) cinnamon; 1 tsp (5 ml) orange zest; ¾ cup (110 g) of raisins; 1 ¼ cup warm water (between 110-125F or 43-51C); 3 tbsp (45 ml) melted butter + 1 tbsp (15 ml) for greasing; Filling:; 2 tbsp (23 g) brown sugar; 2 tbsp (25 g) white sugar; 1 tsp (5 ml) cinnamon; 2 tsp (5 ml) orange zest; ½ cup (75 g) chopped pecans; 4 tbsp (60 g) softened butter; ¼ cup (60 ml) whipped cream cheese; 1 tbsp (7 g) powdered sugar; ½ tsp (2.5 ml) vanilla extract; 1 tbsp (15 ml) milk; *Double Glaze recipe to have extra to serve on the side

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This recipe for Overnight Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze is the perfect Sunday morning treat! Especially as the weather turns cool, a warm, cozy kitchen filled with the fragrance of yeasted dough and cinnamon is heaven on earth.

For more cozy brunch recipes, try my Pumpkin Cinnamon Loaf, my Fig Cake with Crumb Topping, my Crumb Cake, or my Blueberry Crumb Cake.

cream cheese glaze drizzled on top of a How to Make Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Let’s face it, cinnamon buns are a ton of work. Most recipes require an hour of initial rising, then you need to fill them and slice them, and let them rise for another hour. Then they need to bake for about 45 mins, but the time the process is complete 3 hours have gone by! Doesn’t anyone even want a cinnamon bun by noon on a Sunday? Sigh…
That’s why I LOVE this recipe for overnight cinnamon rolls!
Just prep all the ingredients the night before and let the dough rise while you are sleeping! Then wake up the next morning, fill, slice, and bake straight away.

Step#1: Make the Dough

You’ll begin by making a basic dough from flour, sugar, yeast, and water.
I also like to flavor my dough with cinnamon and orange zest, and add a few raisins!
Place 1 tbsp (15 ml) of butter in a clean bowl, and grease the sides of the bowl with it.
Place the dough inside and cover with plastic wrap. Set in a warm place overnight.

Dough set to rise for overnight cinnamon rolls

Make Ahead Tip:

Then have the filling ingredients below measured out and standing by on your counter, and take out the 4 tbsp (60 g) of butter to allow it to get to room temperature as well. This will make assembly in the morning easy!

dough rolled out on a wood board for a How to Make Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Step#2: Make the Filling + Assemble

To make the filling. Combine sugars and cinnamon, orange zest, and pecans.
Remove the dough from the bowl and place it on a well-floured surface; roll it out to an 18” x 14” (45cm x 35cm) rectangle.
Smear with softened butter, then sprinkle with filling. Roll up, like a jelly roll, from the long side. Slice into 2” (5cm) slices.
Fit, cut side up, into a cast-iron skillet, pie plate, or baking dish.

cinnamon rolls being rolled for a How to Make Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Step#3: Bake

Bake at 350 for 40-45 mins until golden brown and puffed up.
Meanwhile, whisk together the glaze.
The cream cheese glaze is also really easy to make and can be made the night before.
You’ll mix together whipped cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk, whisking until smooth.
For a thinner consistency, add more milk until the desired consistency is reached.

pastry brush brushing butter on top of unbaked cinnamon rolls for a How to Make Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Serving Tips:

Drizzle glaze over the cinnamon buns in the skillet
And serve the additional glaze on the side for guests to serve more on top

Cream Cheese glaze being poured for a How to Make Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

More Brunch Recipes

Easy Blueberry Muffin Recipe

Beth’s Puffy Egg Bake Casserole

Moist Banana Bread Recipe

Maple Sausage

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