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Easy Make Ahead Easter Morning Cinnamon Rolls Recipe for Perfect Holiday Brunch

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This easy make ahead cinnamon rolls recipe lets you prepare the dough the night before and bake fresh rolls on Easter morning for a stress-free, delicious holiday brunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (about 440 g)
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar (50 g)
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast (one packet)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup whole milk (240 ml), warmed to about 110°F (43°C)
  • ⅓ cup unsalted butter (75 g), melted and cooled slightly
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • ¾ cup packed brown sugar (150 g)
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • ⅓ cup unsalted butter (75 g), softened
  • 4 ounces cream cheese (115 g), softened
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (30 g), softened
  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar (180 g)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1–2 tablespoons milk (15–30 ml), to thin glaze if necessary

Instructions

  1. Warm the milk to about 110°F (43°C).
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, instant yeast, and salt.
  3. Add warm milk, melted butter, and egg; stir until dough starts to come together.
  4. Knead dough by hand for 8-10 minutes or with a stand mixer for 5-6 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  5. Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1 ½ hours until doubled.
  6. Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and softened butter until combined for the filling.
  7. Punch down dough and roll into a 15×9-inch rectangle on a floured surface.
  8. Spread filling evenly over dough, leaving a small border.
  9. Roll dough tightly from the long edge into a log and cut into 12 even rolls.
  10. Arrange rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, cover loosely, and refrigerate overnight.
  11. Remove rolls from fridge 30 minutes before baking; preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  12. Bake rolls for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
  13. While baking, beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla; add milk to thin glaze if needed.
  14. Drizzle warm rolls with cream cheese glaze and serve immediately.

Notes

If rolls brown too fast, tent with foil halfway through baking. Do not skip the 30-minute rest after refrigeration to help rolls puff up. Use gluten-free flour blends or dairy-free substitutes for dietary adaptations. Let glaze soften before mixing and thin with milk if too thick.

Nutrition

Keywords: cinnamon rolls, make ahead, Easter brunch, holiday breakfast, cinnamon roll recipe, cream cheese glaze, easy cinnamon rolls

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/easy-make-ahead-easter-morning-cinnamon-rolls-recipe-for-perfect-holiday-brunch/