Prepare soft, gooey overnight cinnamon rolls with brown sugar filling, warm cream and cream cheese frosting. Assemble ahead and bake in the morning with ease.
Soft, pillowy and wonderfully gooey overnight cinnamon rolls filled with brown sugar and cinnamon, enriched with cream and finished with cream cheese icing.
Dietary labels are based on the listed ingredients. For allergies or celiac disease, verify every packaged ingredient and guard against cross-contamination.Adapted from a handwritten Alton Brown overnight cinnamon roll recipe dated August 23, 2020.
FROM THE RECIPE NOTES
Why this recipe works
A slow refrigerated rise develops flavour and makes morning preparation easier.
Pouring warm cream over the risen rolls creates an especially soft, gooey base.
Egg yolks and buttermilk enrich the dough while keeping it tender.
Ingredient notes
Yeast
Use instant yeast and check the expiry date before beginning.
Heavy cream
Warm it slightly, but do not make it hot enough to damage the yeast.
Flour
Weight gives the most consistent dough; add only enough to make it soft and manageable.
Practical substitutions
These are conservative alternatives based on standard kitchen practice; results may vary from the original recipe.
Whole milk mixed with a little lemon juice can replace buttermilk when necessary.
Pecans may be sprinkled over the filling for crunch, but are optional.
Troubleshooting
The rolls did not rise overnight
Give them additional time in a comfortably warm room before baking and confirm the yeast was active.
The centres are doughy
Cover loosely with foil if the tops are brown, then continue baking until the centre roll is set.
Storage and freezing
Refrigerate frosted rolls airtight for up to four days and warm individual portions gently.
Freeze baked, unfrosted rolls for up to two months. Thaw overnight, warm and frost before serving.
THE BUTTER & BLOOM RECIPE
Overnight Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing
Print-friendly layout
Preparation time
37 min
Cooking time
30 min
Total time
11 hrs 50 min
Yield
4 servings
Cuisine
North American
Updated
Ingredients
4 large egg yolks, room temperature
1 large egg, room temperature
2 ounces granulated sugar
3 ounces butter, melted
6 ounces buttermilk
20 ounces all-purpose flour (about 4 cups)
1 package instant dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
8 ounces light brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
3/4 ounce butter, melted, for filling
1/2 cup heavy cream, slightly warmed
2 1/2 ounces cream cheese (about 1/4 cup)
3 tablespoons milk
5 1/2 ounces powdered sugar
Detailed directions for Overnight Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing
Whisk together the egg yolks, whole egg, sugar, melted butter and buttermilk.
Add about half of the flour, the yeast and salt. Mix, then gradually add the remaining flour until a soft dough forms.
Knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes by hand or 5 minutes in a stand mixer.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover and let rise until doubled, about 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
Mix the brown sugar, cinnamon and pinch of salt. Roll the dough into a rectangle, brush with melted butter and sprinkle evenly with the filling.
Roll up tightly, slice into rolls and place in a greased baking dish. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
The next morning, let the rolls stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes while the oven heats to 350°F (175°C).
Slowly pour the slightly warmed heavy cream evenly over and between the risen rolls immediately before baking. The cream should be warm but not hot so it does not disturb the yeast or melt the filling.Overnight Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing · Visual guide: rise, fill and shape, then pour in the warm cream
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden on top, bubbling around the edges and cooked through in the centre.
Beat the cream cheese, milk and powdered sugar until smooth, then spread over the warm rolls.
Keywords: overnight cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing · soft and gooey overnight cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting · breakfast recipes · homemade recipe · easy family recipe
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COMMON QUESTIONS
Overnight Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing FAQ
Can I bake the rolls the same day?
Yes. After shaping, let them rise until puffy, then add the warm cream and bake.
Why pour cream over cinnamon rolls?
The cream bubbles around the dough as it bakes, making the rolls richer, softer and gooier.
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