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Cinnamon rolls topped with cream cheese icing in a cast iron skillet.

The Best Make-Ahead Cinnamon Rolls – Soft, Gooey, and Easy to Make

4.72 from 7 votes
Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 9 hours
Servings 8 Rolls
Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Calories 1389
Ready to make mornings magical? Give these make-ahead cinnamon rolls a try and enjoy the softest, fluffiest rolls you’ve ever baked!

Ingredients

Dough:
  • 6- 6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/4 tsp instant quick rise yeast 1 packet
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 6 tablespoons salted butter melted
  • 2 large eggs at room temperature
  • 1 egg yolk at room temperature
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Filling:
  • 1/2 cup salted butter softened
  • 1 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2/3 cup heavy cream for pouring over the rolls before baking
Cream Cheese Icing:
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1/4 cup salted butter softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar adjust to taste
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream adjust for desired consistency

Instructions

Make the Dough:

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the 6 cups of flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt.
  • In a seperate bowl, mix together the whole milk and buttermilk, then heat the mixture until it reaches about 110°F.
  • Pour the milk mixture, melted butter, vanilla extract, eggs and egg yolk into the flour mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms.
  • Knead the dough by hand on a lightly floured surface or using a stand mixer for 5-10 minutes, until it's smooth and elastic. Gradually add up to 1/2 cup of additional flour as needed. The dough should be slightly tacky but easy to handle.
  • Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.

Prepare the Filling:

  • In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, toasted sesame oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.

Assemble the Rolls:

  • Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle (about 18x12 inches).
  • Spread the butter-cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the dough. For extra sweetness, you can optionally sprinkle additional plain brown sugar and cinnamon on top.
  • Roll the dough tightly from the long edge, trimming off the ends. Slice the remaining dough into 8 evenly sized rolls.
  • Place the rolls in a greased 9x13-inch pan, leaving space between them to rise.
  • Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place the dish in the refrigerator and let the rolls proof overnight (8–12 hours).

Bake the Rolls in the Morning:

  • Remove the rolls from the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes while you preheat the oven to 325°F (175°C).
  • Pour the heavy cream (2/3 cup) evenly over the rolls before baking.
  • Bake the rolls for about 25-30 minutes, or until they are golden brown.

Make the Cream Cheese Icing:

  • Beat together the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla, then add milk or cream to reach a smooth, spreadable consistency.
  • Spread the icing over the warm rolls and enjoy!

Video

Notes

  • Flour Amount: The amount of flour can vary based on factors like humidity and temperature. Start with 6 cups and gradually add more during kneading if needed. The dough should be soft, slightly tacky, and easy to handle, but not sticky.
  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure the butter, eggs, and buttermilk are at room temperature before mixing. This helps the dough come together more smoothly and allows the yeast to activate properly.
  • Overnight Option: You can prepare the cinnamon rolls the night before. After shaping the rolls, cover them tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, allow them to come to room temperature and rise for about 30- 45 minutes before baking.
  • Don’t Overbake: To keep the rolls soft and gooey, avoid overbaking. Check the rolls around the 25-minute mark, and if the tops are golden and the centers are cooked through, they’re ready!

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
The Best Make-Ahead Cinnamon Rolls – Soft, Gooey, and Easy to Make
Serving Size
 
1 roll
Amount per Serving
Calories
1389
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
50
g
77
%
Saturated Fat
 
29
g
181
%
Trans Fat
 
1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
3
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
13
g
Cholesterol
 
194
mg
65
%
Sodium
 
794
mg
35
%
Potassium
 
442
mg
13
%
Carbohydrates
 
207
g
69
%
Fiber
 
7
g
29
%
Sugar
 
55
g
61
%
Protein
 
28
g
56
%
Vitamin A
 
1694
IU
34
%
Vitamin C
 
0.2
mg
0
%
Calcium
 
189
mg
19
%
Iron
 
10
mg
56
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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