Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls
Overnight-friendly soft cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting—wake-and-bake Christmas morning USA tradition. Proof overnight in the fridge; bake until centers are about 190°F and fluffy.
🛒Ingredients
- 3/4 cup warm whole milk (110°F)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast (1 packet)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more as needed
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Filling: 1/2 cup softened butter, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons cinnamon
- Frosting: 4 ounces cream cheese, 2 tablespoons butter, 1 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, splash of milk
🔧Kitchen Tools Needed
- Stand mixer or mixing bowl
- 9×13 baking pan
- Rolling pin
- Instant-read thermometer
📝Instructions
- 1
Mix warm milk, yeast, and sugar; rest 5 minutes until foamy. Stir in egg, yolk, and melted butter. Add flour and salt; knead 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Rise covered 1 hour until doubled.
- 2
Roll dough into an 14×9-inch rectangle. Spread softened butter; sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll tightly from the long side; cut 12 rolls.
- 3
Place in a greased 9×13 pan. Cover and refrigerate overnight (or rise at room temp 30–45 minutes).
- 4
Morning: heat oven to 350°F. Bake cold overnight rolls 25–30 minutes (or 20–25 if room-temp risen) until golden and centers reach about 190°F.
- 5
Beat frosting ingredients until smooth; spread on warm rolls. Serve. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours up to 3 days; reheat gently until warm.
🥗Nutrition Information
⚡Calories per serving: 380
🏷️Recipe Tags
❓Frequently Asked Questions
Overnight tip?
Cover well so dough does not dry; let sit 20 minutes at room temp while oven preheats if rolls seem very cold.
No yeast rise?
Check yeast date and milk temperature—too hot kills yeast (keep ~110°F).
Freeze?
Freeze baked unfrosted rolls; thaw, warm, then frost.
Food safety?
Bake until fluffy and ~190°F internal; refrigerate frosted leftovers within 2 hours.
