Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls: The 3 Best Tips

Why Make This Recipe

Imagine waking up to the smell of warm cinnamon and apples. These Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls make that happen with little effort in the morning. You prepare most of it the night before. They taste amazing with sweet apples and soft rolls. These rolls are perfect for family breakfasts or special treats. They offer comfort in every bite and you can easily change them to fit what you like.

How to Make Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls

Making Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls involves preparing the dough and filling the night before, letting them chill, and then baking and glazing them in the morning. This way, you get fresh, warm rolls without a lot of morning work.

Ingredients of Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls

For the Rolls

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (one packet)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ cup warm milk (around 105-115°F)
• ¼ cup melted unsalted butter
• 2 large eggs

For the Apple Cinnamon Filling

• 2 medium baking apples (like Gala, Honeycrisp, or Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and finely diced
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
• 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter

For the Cream Cheese Glaze

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-2 tablespoons milk or cream, for consistency

Directions of Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls

Preparing the Dough (Evening)

1. Activate Yeast: Put warm milk and a pinch of sugar in a bowl. Sprinkle yeast over it. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it looks foamy.
2. Combine Wet Ingredients: Add melted butter and eggs to the yeast mixture. Whisk them together.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a big bowl, mix flour, the rest of the sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
4. Form Dough: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix until the dough comes together in a shaggy ball.
5. Knead: Move the dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead it for 5-7 minutes until it feels smooth and stretchy.
6. First Rise: Put the dough in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover it and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours, until it doubles in size.

Assembling the Rolls (Evening)

1. Prepare Filling: In a medium bowl, mix diced apples, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter.
2. Roll Out Dough: Gently punch down the risen dough. Place it on a lightly floured surface. Roll it into a large rectangle, about 12×18 inches.
3. Spread Filling: Spread the apple cinnamon filling evenly over the dough. Leave a small border around the edges.
4. Roll and Slice: Tightly roll the dough into a log from the long end. Cut the log into 12 even rolls using a sharp knife or dental floss.
5. Arrange and Chill: Put the rolls in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Make sure there is a little space between them. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight for 8 to 12 hours.

Baking and Glazing (Morning)

1. Preheat Oven & Bring to Room Temp: Take the rolls out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking to let them warm up slightly. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown and cooked through.
3. Prepare Glaze: While the rolls cool a little, beat softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth. Add milk or cream until the glaze reaches your desired consistency.
4. Glaze and Serve: Drizzle a lot of glaze over the warm Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls.

How to Serve Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls

Serve these rolls for breakfast with scrambled eggs, turkey sausage, and fresh fruit. They are also great with your morning coffee or tea. You can enjoy them as a dessert on their own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. They make a wonderful center item for any brunch.

How to Store Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls

These rolls taste best when fresh. Store any leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. Reheat them quickly in the microwave or oven for the best texture.

Tips to Make Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls

• Do not add too much flour; this can make your rolls dry.
• Make sure your milk is warm enough to activate the yeast but not too hot, which can kill it.
• Roll the dough tightly to get nice swirls in your rolls.
• Do not rush the overnight chilling. It helps with flavor and makes your morning easy.
• Use cream cheese and butter at room temperature for a smooth glaze.

Variations to Try

• Nutty Goodness: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the apple filling for extra crunch.
• Maple Glaze: Use maple syrup instead of some powdered sugar in the glaze for a different taste.
• Juicy Apple: A small amount of apple juice or cider in the apple filling can add a nice twist.
• Mini Rolls: Cut the dough into smaller pieces to make bite-sized rolls.

FAQs

Q1: Can I make the Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls entirely on the same day?

A1: Yes, you can make them the same day. After the first rise, assemble the rolls. Then, let them rise in a warm spot for about 45-60 minutes before baking. However, letting them rest overnight gives them better flavor and makes your morning easier.

Q2: What type of apples are best for Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls?

A2: Use firm, tart apples that hold their shape when baked. Good choices are Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Gala, Braeburn, or Fuji. You can also mix sweet and tart apples for a wonderful taste.

Q3: How long do Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls stay fresh?

A3: Enjoy these rolls best when they are fresh from the oven. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. Heat them a bit in the microwave or oven to make them taste better.

Classic Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls

These delightful Classic Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls feature a soft, yeasted dough filled with a sweet apple and cinnamon mixture, perfect for an impressive breakfast or brunch. Prepared the evening before and baked fresh in the morning, they're finished with a luscious cream cheese glaze.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 55 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Servings: 12 rolls

Calories: 380

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Rolls:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast one packet
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ cup warm milk around 105-115°F
• ¼ cup melted unsalted butter
• 2 large eggs

For the Apple Cinnamon Filling:

• 2 baking apples like Gala, Honeycrisp, or Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and finely diced
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg optional
• 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter

For the Cream Cheese Glaze:

• 4 ounces cream cheese softened
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-2 tablespoons milk or cream for consistency

Equipment

• Bowl
• Whisk
• Rolling Pin
• Sharp Knife
• 9x13 inch baking dish
• Plastic Wrap
• Oven
• Electric Mixer

Method

 

Preparing the Dough (Evening)

1. Dissolve yeast in warm milk with a pinch of sugar, then let it foam for 5-10 minutes.
2. Whisk melted butter and eggs into the activated yeast mixture.
3. In a large bowl, combine flour, remaining sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
4. Pour wet ingredients into dry, mixing until a shaggy dough forms.
5. On a floured surface, knead the dough for 5-7 minutes until smooth and stretchy.
6. Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1-1.5 hours until doubled.

Assembling the Rolls (Evening)

1. Mix diced apples, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter in a medium bowl.
2. Gently punch down the risen dough, then roll it into a 12x18 inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface.
3. Evenly spread the apple cinnamon filling over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
4. Tightly roll the dough into a log from the long end, then cut into 12 even rolls using a sharp knife or dental floss.
5. Place rolls in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight for 8-12 hours.

Baking and Glazing (Morning)

1. Remove rolls from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking to warm slightly; preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
3. While rolls cool slightly, beat softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth, then add milk or cream for desired consistency.
4. Drizzle a lot of the prepared glaze over the warm Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls.

Notes

These rolls require an overnight refrigeration period of 8-12 hours. Remember to take them out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking to allow them to warm up slightly.