Apr 21, 2020, Updated Sep 11, 2024
Soft, Tender Cinnamon Roll Recipe
This is my ultimate tested-till-perfect cinnamon roll recipe for soft, tender cinnamon rolls. A swirl of soft bun, gooey buttery brown sugar and cinnamon filling, and melty cream cheese frosting. Is there anything better than a cinnamon roll hot from the oven? Done exactly as written, these homemade cinnamon rolls turn out heavenly every time. This is my go-to recipe for Christmas and Easter morning, and many, many mornings in between. A few simple tricks are what sets this recipe apart from the pack. You’ll never look back.
4 Science-Backed Tips for the Softest Cinnamon Rolls
Want to make your cinnamon rolls in advance so you can just pop them in the oven in the morning? You can definitely do it! But to make them as perfect and delicious, use my tricks. There are two problems with making cinnamon rolls in advance. The first is that even though yeast is still active in the fridge, the dough is such a rich one that the rise is slow. The rolls won’t rise as much overnight as they would on the counter. The second problem is that cold dough will bake unevenly. The tops will be very dark brown while the middle rolls are still raw and doughy. Gross. The TRICK is to bring the rolls to room temperature quickly and allow them to finish their second rise in the morning before you bake them. See below.
How to Make Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
Prepare the dough up until the second rise. After placing the rolls in the pan and covering with a clean towel, transfer them to the fridge. In the morning, lift the parchment out of the baking pan and separate the unbaked cinnamon rolls on the counter. Taking them out of the cold pan and separating them massively speeds up the time to get them to room temperature and finish rising. Plan for 1 hour on the counter to achieve this. Once the rolls are at room temperature and doubled in volume from yesterday (take a pic of them before you refrigerate if you’re unsure), put them back in a parchment-lined baking pan and bake as usual. The time will be the same.
Can I Freeze This Cinnamon Roll Recipe?
Baked cinnamon rolls freeze extremely well. Separate them (unfrosted) and freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once firm, pack into airtight storage bags or containers for up to 2 months. Pop one in the microwave for 20-second intervals, flipping upside down then right-side-up, until warm. Alternatively, freeze the whole unfrosted pan of baked cinnamon rolls and rewarm in a 300ºF oven, covered tightly with foil, until warmed through (expect about an hour). TIP: tap the “metric “ button in the recipe card to see the cinnamon roll recipe with weight measurements.
