Unless you enjoy waking up very early and baking, Make Ahead Cinnamon Rolls are the best kind. You start the dough the night before, let it rise slowly in the refrigerator overnight, then assemble the next morning.
The original version of this recipe comes from Domino Sugar, and at one point was on the side of their brown sugar box. Their recipe is not for Make Ahead Cinnamon Rolls, but rather traditional, which means you'll have to tack on an hour or so rise time. The changes I've made are chilling the dough overnight for a slow rise, doubling the brown sugar and eliminating the pecans and raisins. I love raisins, but my family politely picks them out of things, so I'm saving them the trouble. Another change is adding a little butter to the icing. It gives it a little more richness and body.
Half Batch Make Ahead Cinnamon Rolls
The recipe below makes 12 large rolls, but it also halves well if you don't need so may. If you want to make a half batch, just halve all the ingredients, chill overnight, and make a narrower rectangle of about 6x14. You'll fill, roll, and cut into 6 rolls instead of 12. The cold dough is extremely easy to work with, which is always a plus when it's early in the morning and you haven't had your first cup of coffee yet.
A half batch fits perfectly into a 7x11 inch pan. The dough will rise quite a bit during baking.
Recipe
Make Ahead Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup warm water
- 1 package active dry yeast 2 ¼ teaspoons
- 3 ½ cups sifted all-purpose flour 440 grams
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 Tablespoons – Domino Granulated Sugar 50 grams
- 1 stick 114 grams unsalted butter, cut into chunks
Filling
- ¼ cup butter 56 grams
- ⅔ cup brown sugar 140 grams
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon (can use more if you like)
Icing
- 2 teaspoons butter 10 grams
- ¾ cup confectioners' sugar 80 grams
- 3 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- In a medium size bowl, beat the eggs with a fork. Add ¾ cup warm water and yeast, stirring to dissolve yeast. It may not dissolve completely at this point, but that’s okay. Refrigerate mixture for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, mix the flour, salt and sugar. With a pastry blender or fork or your fingers, blend in butter, until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture. Stir to blend. Dough will be loose and a little sticky. Gather dough onto a floured surface and knead until smooth, about 2 minutes. If you prefer, you can do this all in a stand mixer bowl and knead with the dough hook.
- Dough should be smooth and elastic, but still very soft. Form dough into a ball and place in lightly greased bowl. Cover bowl and chill for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
- When ready to bake, roll dough into a 12x14 inch rectangle. IF you made a half batch of dough, make a rectangle that is 6x14. You can do this on a pastry mat or a well-floured surface. If your dough is oily and stiff from the refrigerator and you are using a pastry mat, you can probably get away without using any flour on the surface.
- In a bowl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon. Brush the dough with melted butter and sprinkle with the sugar mixture, leaving a 1-inch border. Starting at the short side (12 inch) Roll the dough up to form a jelly roll. With a serrated knife, cut the roll into 1-inch slices.
- Place slices on a greased baking sheet and allow to rise in a warm place about 30 minutes. Generously sprinkle with the granulated sugar if desired. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 25-30 minutes. Allow rolls to cool slightly on wire racks placed over wax paper.
- To make Icing, mix the melted butter confectioners' sugar and milk together until smooth. Drizzle icing over rolls and serve.
Notes
You can freeze the spirals of dough. Just cut the jelly roll into rounds, arrange however many you need for the occasion, then put the remaining dough in the freezer to solidify. When dough spirals are firm, put them in an air-tight freezer bag. The next time you want to make cinnamon rolls, arrange the frozen dough spirals in the pan the night before, let them rise overnight, then wake up and bake.
Anna says
Kim, thanks! Yes, moving was stressful. On top of that we had to deal with some criminal activity at the apartment complex which wasn't very pleasant.
Shannon, I was hoping someone else who saw the recipe on the Domino box might appreciate the review. LOL. I kept seeing the recipe and wondering how the rolls were.
Shannon says
I'm so glad to see you posted this recipe! I bought a box of Domino dark brown sugar the other day and, once
again, noticed this recipe on the back. Every time I have a box, I look at this recipe and wonder how good it is, but have never tried making it. Now that I have some feedback on it, I think I might give it a try.
Kim Fluck says
Your life sure sounded hectic over the past several months. Glad to hear you are enjoying your new home. I've always heard the Texas hill country is really beautiful. I love the freezer tip for the cinnamon rolls. Yum!
Carole Resnick says
Glad you are setteling into your new home. Sounds like everyone has their personal space as well as the common areas.
It takes time to get setteled but I am sure that you will do it in half the time as most.
CookieMama says
I love the tip about freezing the spirals! I've frozen the dough before, but then have to wait for it to come to room temp to roll it, fill it, cut it, wait while it rises again...It still requires getting up early if you want breakfast before noon. Do you let your frozen rolls rise over night in the fridge or on the counter?
Michele says
Mmmmmm. They look delicious!
Sue says
You sound really pleased with your new home. I'm very happy for you and your family!
The smell of cinnamon rolls must have been a really nice way for the rest of your family to wake up!
Amanda says
They look marvelous, so glad you are settling in and happy!