Overnight Cinnamon Rolls: The Easiest Way to Deliciousness
Are you craving warm, gooey cinnamon rolls but don't want to spend hours in the kitchen? Then you've come to the right place! This overnight cinnamon roll recipe is your shortcut to bakery-quality treats without the fuss. Prepare the dough the night before, and wake up to the irresistible aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls. It's the perfect weekend breakfast (or any day treat!).
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe focuses on simplicity and maximum flavor. You probably already have most of these ingredients in your pantry!
For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk (105-115°F)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 ½ - 4 cups all-purpose flour
For the Filling:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
For the Icing (optional, but highly recommended!):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-4 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions: A Step-by-Step Guide to Cinnamon Roll Heaven
Follow these easy steps and you'll be enjoying delicious cinnamon rolls in no time!
Step 1: Preparing the Dough (the night before!)
- Activate the yeast: In a large bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy. This ensures your yeast is alive and kicking, crucial for a fluffy dough.
- Add wet ingredients: Add the egg and melted butter to the yeast mixture. Whisk until well combined.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Gradually add flour, one cup at a time, mixing with a wooden spoon or spatula until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, until smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
- First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
Step 2: Assembling the Rolls
- Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a 12x18 inch rectangle.
- Spread the filling: Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough. In a separate bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the buttered dough.
- Roll it up: Starting from the long side, tightly roll the dough into a log.
- Slice and place: Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice the roll into 12 equal slices.
- Second rise: Arrange the rolls in a greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in the refrigerator overnight (8-12 hours).
Step 3: Baking and Icing
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Cool slightly: Let the cinnamon rolls cool in the pan for a few minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the icing: While the rolls are cooling, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add more milk if needed to reach desired consistency.
- Ice and enjoy! Drizzle the icing over the cooled cinnamon rolls and enjoy!
Tips for Perfect Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
- Don't skip the second rise: This slow rise in the refrigerator develops flavor and creates a wonderfully tender crumb.
- Use good quality butter: The flavor of the butter really shines through in these rolls.
- Adjust sweetness to your liking: Feel free to adjust the amount of brown sugar in the filling to your preference.
- Get creative with fillings: Try adding chopped nuts, raisins, or chocolate chips to the filling for extra deliciousness.
This overnight cinnamon roll recipe is perfect for impressing your family and friends, or simply treating yourself to a delicious breakfast. Enjoy!
