Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls: My Top 3 Tips

The Warm Embrace of Home Baking

A warm smell of cinnamon and apples fills the air. This smell always brings back childhood memories and cozy mornings. Imagine waking up to fresh baked goods without rushing. This is the magic of Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls. They give you a delightful, stress-free start to your day.

Why You’ll Love These Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls

Bid Farewell to Morning Stress

You can prepare these rolls the night before and bake them in the morning. This is perfect for special occasions, holiday mornings, or a luxurious weekend breakfast.

A Symphony of Flavors and Textures

These rolls have a gooey cinnamon-sugar filling, tender, fluffy dough, and sweet apple pieces. The wonderful smell will fill your kitchen.

Impress with Minimal Effort

These rolls taste like they came from a bakery, but they are easy to make. They are perfect for impressing guests or loved ones.

How to Make Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls

Ingredients of Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls

For the Rolls

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup milk
• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Apple Cinnamon Filling

• 2 medium apples (like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji), peeled, cored, and finely diced
• ½ cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

For the Cream Cheese Glaze (Optional but Highly Recommended!)

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons milk or cream
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions of Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls

Preparing the Dough (Evening)

1. Warm the milk and melt the butter.
2. In a small bowl, combine the warm milk mixture with the yeast and a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, until bubbly.
3. In a large bowl, combine the flour, remaining sugar, and salt.
4. Add the activated yeast mixture, egg, and vanilla to the dry ingredients. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
5. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic. This takes about 5-7 minutes.
6. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours. It should double in size.

Assembling the Rolls (Evening)

1. While the dough rises, prepare the apple cinnamon filling. Sauté the chopped apples with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until softened. Stir in the cornstarch to thicken. Let it cool slightly.
2. Punch down the risen dough. Roll it out into a large rectangle (about 12×18 inches) on a lightly floured surface.
3. Spread softened butter evenly over the dough.
4. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture.
5. Scatter the prepared apple cinnamon filling over the cinnamon sugar.
6. Starting from one long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log.
7. Cut the log into 12-15 even slices using a sharp knife or dental floss.
8. Arrange the slices in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
9. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (8-12 hours).

The Grand Finale: Baking and Glazing (Morning)

1. In the morning, take the rolls from the refrigerator. Let them sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes while your oven preheats to 375°F (190°C).
2. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
3. While rolls are baking, prepare the cream cheese glaze (if using). Whisk together softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk/cream, and vanilla extract until smooth.
4. Once baked, let the rolls cool slightly in the dish.
5. Drizzle generously with the cream cheese glaze.

How to Serve Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls

Perfect Pairings for Your Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls

Serve these rolls warm, right out of the oven! They go well with a hot cup of coffee or tea. You can also serve them with fresh berries or sliced fruit for a refreshing contrast.

How to Store Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls

Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven before serving.

Tips to Make Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls

Dough Do’s and Don’ts

• Do not overheat your milk. Hot milk kills the yeast.
• Make sure your yeast is fresh and active.
• Do not add too much flour when kneading. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky.

Apple Perfection

• Choose firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji. They give the best flavor and texture.
• Do not overcook the apples in the filling. They should be tender but still hold their shape.

Overnight Bliss

• Grease the baking dish well so the rolls do not stick.
• Cover the rolls tightly with plastic wrap. This stops them from drying out in the fridge.
• Give them enough time to come to room temperature before baking for an even rise.

Variation

Variations to Tantalize Your Taste Buds

• Nutty Roll: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling.
• Caramel Apple: Drizzle with warm caramel sauce before or after glazing.
• Spiced Up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the cinnamon filling.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use a good quality gluten-free flour blend. Adjust yeast as needed.
• Dairy-Free Option: Use plant-based milk and butter.

FAQs

Can I freeze Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls?

Yes, you can! You can freeze the unbaked rolls after assembly. Place them in the baking dish, cover tightly with foil and plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 1 month. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then let them come to room temperature before baking as directed. You can also freeze baked rolls. Wrap them individually and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat.

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

For the best results, use apples that hold their shape well during baking and offer a good balance of sweetness and tartness. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji apples work wonderfully in this recipe.

Can I prepare these Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls without an overnight rise?

Yes, you can. After assembling the rolls and placing them in the baking dish, cover them and let them rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours, or until they look puffy. Then bake as directed. However, the overnight method often gives a deeper flavor and a more tender texture.

Maple Pecan Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls

These delightful Maple Pecan Apple Cinnamon Overnight Rolls feature a soft, yeasted dough, a sweet and spiced apple-pecan filling, and a luscious maple cream cheese glaze. Prepare them the evening before for a convenient and delicious breakfast or brunch treat.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 55 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Servings 12 rolls

Calories 380 kcal

Equipment

• Small bowl
• Large bowl
• Plastic wrap
• Medium skillet
• Sharp knife or dental floss
• 9x13 inch baking dish
• Whisk

Ingredients

  

For the Rolls

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup milk
• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Apple Pecan Cinnamon Filling

• 2 medium apples (like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and finely diced
• ½ cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• ½ cup chopped pecans
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

For the Maple Cream Cheese Glaze

• 4 ounces cream cheese softened
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon milk or cream
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

 

Prepare the Dough (Evening)

• Warm milk and melt the ¼ cup butter. In a small bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and a pinch of sugar; let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
• In a large bowl, whisk flour, remaining sugar, and salt. Add the activated yeast mixture, egg, and vanilla to form a shaggy dough, then knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
• Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours until doubled in size.

Assemble the Rolls (Evening)

• While the dough rises, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a medium skillet. Add diced apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon; sauté for 5-7 minutes until apples soften.
• Stir in chopped pecans and cornstarch, cooking for another minute until thickened. Remove from heat and let the filling cool slightly.
• Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a large 12x18 inch rectangle.
• Evenly spread softened butter over the dough, then sprinkle the cooled apple pecan cinnamon filling over the buttered surface.
• Starting from one long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log. Using a sharp knife or dental floss, cut the log into 12-15 even slices.
• Arrange the slices, cut-side up, in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (8-12 hours).

Bake and Glaze (Morning)

• In the morning, remove the baking dish from the refrigerator and let the rolls sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes to warm and finish rising.
• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
• While the rolls are baking, whisk together softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, maple syrup, milk or cream, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy for the glaze.
• Once baked, remove the rolls from the oven and let them cool in the dish for 5-10 minutes before drizzling generously with the prepared Maple Cream Cheese Glaze.

Notes

For best results, ensure your yeast is active and the milk is at the correct temperature. Adjust maple syrup in the glaze to your desired sweetness. You can prepare the filling ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator.