Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls: 5 Easy Steps

Why Make This Recipe

These Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls are perfect for anyone who wants a delicious, homemade breakfast without the morning rush. You prepare them the night before, and in the morning, all you do is bake! The warm apples and cinnamon in soft, fluffy rolls are a comforting treat. They look fancy but are surprisingly easy to make, even for beginners. Whether it’s a family breakfast or a brunch with friends, these rolls are always a hit. Plus, you can easily change the filling and glaze to your liking.

How to Make Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls

You make the dough and assemble the rolls the evening before. This allows the dough to rise slowly in the refrigerator overnight, which gives it a great flavor and texture. In the morning, you take them out to warm up and rise a bit more, then bake them until golden. While they bake, you quickly make a creamy glaze to drizzle over the warm rolls.

Ingredients of Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls

For the Dough

• Dry Ingredients
• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Active dry yeast
• Salt
• Wet Ingredients
• Warm milk (dairy or non-dairy)
• Melted unsalted butter
• Egg, lightly beaten

For the Apple Cinnamon Filling

• Apple Mixture
• Fresh apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Fuji), peeled, cored, and finely diced
• Brown sugar, packed
• Ground cinnamon
• Lemon juice (to stop browning and add flavor)
• Cornstarch (to thicken)
• Inner Layer
• Melted butter

For the Cream Cheese Glaze (Optional but Recommended!)

• Glaze Essentials
• Cream cheese, softened
• Powdered sugar
• Milk or cream
• Vanilla extract

Directions of Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls

Preparing the Dough (Evening)

1. Activate the yeast: Mix warm milk, a pinch of sugar, and active dry yeast. Let it sit until it gets foamy.
2. Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, remaining sugar, and salt.
3. Mix wet and dry: Add the yeast mixture, melted butter, and egg to the dry ingredients. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
4. Knead the dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for 5-7 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
5. First rise: Put the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.
6. Chill overnight: Punch down the risen dough, shape it into a ball, and put it back in the greased bowl. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (8-12 hours).

Assembling the Rolls (Evening)

1. Prepare the apple filling: In a small bowl, mix diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, and cornstarch.
2. Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough into a large rectangle (about 12×18 inches).
3. Spread butter: Brush the melted butter evenly over the dough, leaving a small edge uncovered.
4. Distribute filling: Spoon the apple cinnamon mixture evenly over the buttered dough.
5. Roll and slice: Tightly roll the dough from the long edge. With a sharp knife or dental floss, slice the roll into 12-15 equal pieces.
6. Arrange in pan: Place the Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls snugly in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Baking Day! (Morning)

1. Second rise: Take the baking dish from the refrigerator. Let the Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls come to room temperature and rise for 1-1.5 hours in a warm spot, until they look visibly puffy.
2. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
3. Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown and their inside temperature reaches 200°F (93°C).
4. Cool slightly: Let the rolls cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes before you put on the glaze.

Drizzling the Glaze (Morning)

1. Prepare glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk/cream, and vanilla extract until it is smooth and creamy.
2. Glaze and serve: Drizzle a generous amount over the warm Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls. Serve them immediately and enjoy!

How to Serve Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls

• Classic Comfort: Enjoy your warm rolls with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or a glass of cold milk.
• Brunch Spread: Serve them with scrambled eggs, crispy sausage, and fresh fruit for a full breakfast or brunch.
• Dessert Delight: A scoop of vanilla ice cream over a warm roll makes a surprisingly tasty dessert.
• Holiday Treat: These rolls are a wonderful addition to any holiday breakfast or special meal.

How to Store Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls

Store any leftover Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls covered at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can also store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat them gently in the microwave or oven.

Tips to Make Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls

• Don’t Rush the Rise: Give the dough enough time for both rises, especially the second rise in the morning. This makes for very light and fluffy rolls.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your milk and egg are at room temperature. This helps the yeast work best and makes for good dough consistency.
• Tightly Roll: Roll the dough tightly to get beautiful spirals and stop the filling from coming out.
• Sharp Knife for Slicing: Use a very sharp knife or unwaxed dental floss to cut clean slices without flattening the rolls.

Variation

• Nutty Crunch: Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the apple filling for extra crunch.
• Maple Glaze: Replace some of the powdered sugar in the glaze with maple syrup for a rich, fall flavor.
• Dried Fruit Fun: Mix a handful of raisins or dried cranberries into the apple mixture.
• Spice It Up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the apple filling for more complex warmth.

FAQs

Can I make the Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls entirely in one day?

Yes, you can! If you are short on time, you can follow the same steps. For the second rise, allow about 45-60 minutes in a warm spot after assembling the rolls, instead of refrigerating them overnight. However, chilling them overnight makes them taste better and easier to handle.

What kind of apples are best for Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls?

For the best Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls, use firm, slightly tart apples that hold their shape well when baked. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Braeburn are great choices. Using a mix of two apple types can also add more flavor.

Can I freeze Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls?

You can freeze baked and glazed Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls in an airtight container for up to 1-2 months. Thaw them at room temperature or warm them from frozen in a low oven until they are heated through. You can also freeze unbaked rolls after their second rise. Put them in the baking dish, cover tightly, and freeze. When you want to bake them, put them directly into the oven at a slightly lower temperature (around 350°F/175°C) and bake until golden brown and cooked, which might take a bit longer.

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Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls

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• 
  Author: Elena
• 
  
  Total Time: 12 hours 55 minutes (including overnight chill)
• 
  
  Yield: 12 rolls 1x
• 
  
  Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Wake up to the delightful aroma and taste of these Classic Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls. Perfectly sweet and spiced, these rolls are prepared the night before for an effortless morning treat.

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Ingredients

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For the Dough:

1 cup warm milk (105-115°F)

2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)

¼ cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

½ teaspoon salt

3 cups all-purpose flour

For the Filling:

2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and finely diced

½ cup packed light brown sugar

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

¼ cup unsalted butter, softened

For the Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons milk

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and a pinch of granulated sugar. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.

2. Stir in remaining granulated sugar, egg, melted butter, and salt. Gradually add flour, mixing until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.

3. Knead on a lightly floured surface for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled.

4. While dough rises, prepare the filling: In a small bowl, combine diced apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Set aside.

5. Once risen, punch down the dough and roll it into a 12×18 inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface.

6. Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough. Sprinkle the apple-cinnamon mixture over the butter.

7. Starting from the long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seam to seal.

8. Cut the log into 12 equal slices (about 1.5 inches each). Arrange the slices in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.

9. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (8–12 hours).

10. In the morning, preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Remove rolls from the refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes while the oven preheats.

11. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.

12. While rolls cool slightly, prepare the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.

13. Drizzle the glaze over the warm Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls before serving.

Notes

For extra apple flavor, you can sauté the diced apples briefly with a touch of butter before adding them to the dough.

Using crisp, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp works best to contrast the sweetness.

Best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers keep in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 days or refrigerated up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 roll
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 35g
• Sodium: 210mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5g
• Trans Fat: 0.5g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 45mg