Alton Brown Overnight Cinnamon Rolls

This delicious overnight cinnamon roll recipe by Alton Brown is perfect for a quick and easy breakfast treat. With a soft, buttery dough and a rich, cinnamon-sugar filling, these rolls are simple to prepare the night before and bake fresh in the morning. The creamy icing adds the perfect finishing touch to this irresistible, homemade delight!

Recipe Ingredients:

FOR THE DOUGH

• 3/4 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, plus 4 large yolks, at room temperature
• 3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 package rapid rise yeast
• 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt

FOR THE FILLING AND ASSEMBLY

• 1 teaspoon cold unsalted butter, for the pan, plus 1 1/2 tablespoons, melted, for brushing
• 1 packed cup light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (use this one)
• Pinch kosher salt
• all-purpose flour for rolling

FOR THE ICING

1. 1/4 cup cream cheese, at room temperature
2. 3 tablespoons milk
3. 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar

How To Make Overnight Cinnamon Rolls?

1. Make the Dough: Combine buttermilk, melted butter, sugar, whole egg, and yolks in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment on medium speed.
2. Add Flour and Yeast: Gradually mix in 283 g / 2 cups of flour, yeast, and salt until combined.
3. Switch to Dough Hook: Add 113 g / 1 cup of flour and knead on low speed for 5 minutes. If dough is sticky, add more flour (28 g / 1/4 cup at a time) until soft and moist but not sticky.
4. First Rise: Form dough into a smooth ball, place in a greased bowl, and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise until doubled in size, about 3 hours.

Make the Filling and Assemble:

1. Prepare Baking Dish: Butter a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) glass baking dish with cold butter.
2. Make Filling: Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl.
3. Roll the Dough: Turn dough onto a floured surface, shape into a rectangle, and roll into an 18×12 inch (46×30 cm) rectangle.
4. Add Filling: Brush with melted butter, leaving a 1-inch (2.5 cm) border. Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture and gently press it into the dough.
5. Roll and Cut: Roll the dough tightly, pinch the seam, and cut into 8 rolls (2 inches / 5 cm each) using a serrated knife or dental floss.
6. Arrange and Chill: Place rolls cut-side down in the dish, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight or up to 16 hours.

To Bake:

1. Preheat Oven: Heat oven to 200°F / 93°C.
2. Proof Rolls: Turn off the oven, place rolls inside, and let rise until puffy, about 30 minutes.
3. Bake: Without removing rolls, increase temperature to 350°F / 180°C and bake until rolls reach an internal temperature of 190°F / 88°C, about 25-30 minutes.

Make the Icing:

1. Mix Ingredients: Beat cream cheese in a mixer until creamy, add milk, and mix until smooth.
2. Add Sugar: Sift in confectioners’ sugar and beat until smooth.
3. Serve: Spread icing over warm rolls and enjoy immediately!

Recipe Tips:

• Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your buttermilk, eggs, and butter are at room temperature. This helps the dough mix evenly and rise properly.
• Avoid Sticky Dough: If the dough is too sticky, add a bit of flour slowly, about 28 g / 1/4 cup at a time. The dough should be soft but not cling to your hands.
• Seal the Dough Tightly: When rolling the dough into a cylinder, pinch the seam well. This prevents the rolls from unrolling while baking.
• Overnight Rest is Key: Let the rolls rest in the fridge overnight. This slow rise improves the flavor and texture of the dough.
• Bake Until Perfectly Golden: Make sure the internal temperature of the rolls reaches 190°F (88°C). This ensures the dough is fully cooked and fluffy.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers?

• Refrigerate: First, let the leftover cinnamon rolls cool to room temperature. Then, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to enjoy, you can reheat them in the microwave for 20-30 seconds until warm.
• Freeze: Allow the cinnamon rolls to cool completely before wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe container. They can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 500​
• Total Fat: 20g​
• Saturated Fat: 12g​
• Cholesterol: 150mg​
• Sodium: 400mg​
• Potassium: 100mg​
• Total Carbohydrate: 70g​
• Dietary Fiber: 2g​
• Sugars: 30g​
• Protein: 8g​

Check out More Recipes:

• Alton Brown Brown Rice Crispy Bars
• Alton Brown Blueberry Buckle
• Alton Brown Little Brown Biscuits
• Alton Brown Homemade Southern Biscuits