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Freezing cinnamon rolls is my favorite kitchen hack for winter months! These easy make ahead cinnamon rolls will make hosting guests a breeze and create happy tummies on special Sunday mornings!
You may remember that Nora was born right before Christmas, and that it was our very first Christmas celebrating with just our own little family. Well, the week before Christmas my angel mother was in town helping out, and I mentioned that I was just going to buy some freezer cinnamon rolls to make for Christmas morning.
The Best Frozen Cinnamon Rolls
She did not like that idea and insisted that we make our own "make ahead cinnamon rolls." Then we could have easy and delicious cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning. Boy am I glad she was so adamant! Not only were the homemade cinnamon rolls delicious then, but we have enjoyed them several Sunday mornings since (this recipe makes a ton)!
Better believe as soon as we run out I'll be making more! So today I am going to try to break down the instructions for you in several basic steps so you feel comfortable making your own freezer cinnamon rolls.
How to make Cinnamon Rolls from Scratch
Make Ahead Cinnamon Rolls
The great thing about this recipe is it works great if you want to bake your cinnamon rolls fresh right then, or if you want to freeze them! So the steps are basically the same for either method up until it is time to either freeze or bake!
Below I have step by step photos of the cinnamon roll making process to make things super clear and easy.
- Mix your yeast, 2 Tablespoons of sugar and 2 cups of warm water and let it rest. Combine your melted butter, beaten eggs, salt and sugar. Then stir in flour.
- Do not knead your dough. Cover it and let it rise until double in size. Push air out with your firsts and let it rise again until double in size. It is best to spray the bowl with cooking spray first so dough doesn't stick!
- Divide dough into four equal parts. Roll each section of dough into a rectangle. Then brush a good layer of butter on the rolled out dough with a pastry brush.
- Sprinkle dough with as much cinnamon and brown sugar as you like. I like to be generous on this layer ;).
5. Start at the widest side of your rectangle and roll it into a log. try to pinch the seam shut.Take a piece of thread and cut dough into generous one inch slices.
6. If freezing your cinnamon rolls, cover a baking sheet with wax paper and line with cinnamon rolls. Flash freeze in the freezer for 45 minutes. After rolls are flash frozen they can be stored in freezer zip lock bags until you are ready to use them!
7. If baking immediately bake at 400 degrees for 5-6 minutes or until golden brown. Watch carefully as they can brown quickly.
8. Cover with frosting and enjoy!
How to Freeze Cinnamon Rolls
Yes! Bonus, you can also freeze the cinnamon roll frosting!
How to bake Frozen Cinnamon Rolls
- Arrange frozen rolls two inches apart on a greased baking sheet or 9x13 cake pan. Cover with plastic wrap coated with cooking spray (don't wrap tightly, just lay lightly over the top of your rolls).
- Pull out your frozen frosting to start thawing.
- Place pan in a warm place and let the rolls rise until double in size. Bake at 375 degrees for seven to twelve minutes or until barely golden brown.
- Frost rolls after they have cooled just slightly.
Note:I recommend pulling out your rolls and sticking them in the fridge over night to decrease your rising time.
You ready for this easy recipe? Let's do this!
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Make Ahead Cinnamon Rolls
Freezing cinnamon rolls is my favorite kitchen hack for winter months! These easy make ahead cinnamon rolls will make hosting guests a breeze and create happy tummies on special Sunday mornings!
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Flash Freeze Time: 45 minutes minutes
Total Time: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes
Servings: 64
Calories: 112kcal
Author: Pretty Providence
Video
Ingredients
Instructions
Mix and let rest: 2 Tablespoons fresh yeast, 2 Tablespoons sugar and 2 cups warm water.
Add: 1 cup melted butter, 6 beaten eggs (not ice cold eggs), 1 ½ teaspoons salt, and 1 cup sugar.
Stir in: 9 cups flour (best if done by hand and not with a mixer. DO NOT KNEAD. Cover and let rise until double in size. Push air out with fists, and again let rise until double in size. *It is a good idea to coat the bowl lightly with cooking spray first to avoid dough sticking to the sides.
Divide dough into four equal parts.
Roll each part into a rectangle. Try not to work your dough too much or it will get tough.
Once dough is rolled out, brush dough with soft butter and a pastry brush.
Sprinkle generously with cinnamon and brown sugar to cover the butter layer.
Start at the wide side of your rectangle and roll into a log. Try to pinch the seam shut.
Take a piece of thread and cut dough into generous one inch slices.
Cover a baking sheet with wax paper. Lay out your cinnamon rolls and flash freeze. (It only takes about 30-60 minutes.)
Once rolls are flash frozen you can take them off your baking sheet and store in freezer ziplock bags!
If not freezing your rolls and wanting to cook them right away, let rolls rise until double in size, then cook at 375 for 7-10 minutes or until barely golden.
Notes
How to Bake the Rolls from Frozen:
- Arrange frozen rolls two inches apart on a greased baking sheet or 9x13 cake pan. Cover with plastic wrap coated with cooking spray (don't wrap tightly, just lay lightly over the top of your rolls).
- Pull out your frozen frosting to start thawing.
- Place pan in a warm place and let the rolls rise until double in size. Bake at 375 degrees for seven to ten minutes or until barely golden brown.
- Frost rolls after they have cooled just slightly.
Note:I recommend pulling out your rolls and sticking them in the fridge over night to decrease your rising time.
Nutrition
Calories: 112kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 89mg | Potassium: 28mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 122IU | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @prettyprovidenceblog or tag #prettyprovidence!
Cream Cheese Frosting
We all know the best part of the cinnamon roll is the frosting! If freezing my cinnamon rolls I like to make the frosting ahead of time as well and store in freezer ziplock baggies until ready to use!
You ready for this easy recipe?
Cream Cheese Frosting
Freezing cinnamon rolls is my favorite kitchen hack for winter months! These easy make ahead cinnamon rolls will make hosting guests a breeze and create happy tummies on special Sunday mornings!
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 32
Calories: 221kcal
Author: Pretty Providence
Ingredients
- 16 oz cream cheese softened
- ½ cup butter softened
- 10 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 tablespoon milk
Instructions
Combine cream cheese with butter and vanilla and blend well in a mixer.
Add in powdered sugar a little at a time until desired consistency is reached. You can use up to 2 T. of milk as needed to wet sugar.
Notes
When freezing the cinnamon rolls I like to freeze the icing as wellso that when I decide to bake the rolls all I have to do is thaw an icing bag and I was good to go.
To thaw, stick in fridge over night or let sit in a bowl of lukewarm water.
Nutrition
Calories: 221kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 72mg | Potassium: 21mg | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 281IU | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @prettyprovidenceblog or tag #prettyprovidence!
Now you will have fresh tasting cinnamon rolls for many months to come, I hope you enjoy them!
This recipe was originally published February 21st, 2013 and has been updated with new photos, video and more detailed text.
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As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of baking and freezing techniques, I can confidently provide insights into the article on freezing cinnamon rolls. My experience in the kitchen and passion for exploring culinary hacks enable me to break down the concepts used in the recipe.
Firstly, freezing cinnamon rolls is a fantastic kitchen hack, especially during the winter months. It not only allows for convenient preparation but also ensures that you have delicious cinnamon rolls ready to enjoy on special occasions. The article emphasizes the versatility of the recipe, which can be used to either bake the cinnamon rolls immediately or freeze them for later use.
The key concepts covered in the article include:
-
Ingredients and Mixing:
- The use of yeast, sugar, and warm water to activate the yeast is a fundamental step in bread and pastry making.
- The incorporation of melted butter, beaten eggs, salt, and sugar into the dough adds flavor and richness.
- The careful addition of flour without kneading is highlighted, promoting a delicate and tender texture in the cinnamon rolls.
-
Dough Preparation:
- Allowing the dough to rise until it doubles in size, punching out air, and repeating the rising process contributes to the light and fluffy texture of the cinnamon rolls.
- The recommendation to spray the bowl with cooking spray prevents the dough from sticking during the rising process.
-
Rolling and Filling:
- Dividing the dough into four parts and rolling each section into a rectangle sets the stage for creating individual cinnamon rolls.
- The generous application of butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar adds layers of flavor to the rolls.
-
Freezing Process:
- For those opting to freeze the cinnamon rolls, the flash freezing technique on a baking sheet with wax paper ensures that the rolls maintain their shape and are easy to store in freezer bags.
-
Baking Instructions:
- When ready to bake, the article provides specific temperature and time recommendations, emphasizing careful monitoring to avoid over-browning.
-
Frosting:
- The inclusion of a cream cheese frosting recipe complements the cinnamon rolls, and the bonus tip of freezing the frosting in advance adds to the convenience.
-
Additional Tips:
- The suggestion to pull out the rolls and refrigerate them overnight before baking helps reduce rising time, adding a practical element to the recipe.
-
Nutritional Information:
- The article includes nutritional information, offering transparency about the calorie content and nutritional composition of the cinnamon rolls and frosting.
In summary, this comprehensive guide showcases the author's expertise in creating a versatile and convenient recipe for make-ahead cinnamon rolls, demonstrating a deep understanding of baking principles and freezing techniques.
