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Overnight Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

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Delight in these Overnight Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls, a perfect holiday or cozy morning treat combining warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg in a soft, yeasted dough. Prepared the night before and baked fresh in the morning, these rolls are topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting for that extra touch of indulgence.

Ingredients

Dough:

  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup warm whole milk
  • 4 tablespoons Land O Lakes® Butter, melted
  • 1 egg
  • 1/3 cup molasses
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Filling:

  • 6 tablespoons Land O Lakes® Butter, at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg OR ground cloves (use your favorite or both)

Frosting:

  • 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 4 tablespoons Land O Lakes® Butter, at room temperature
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or the seeds from 1/2 a vanilla bean

Instructions

  1. Activate Yeast: Place the active dry yeast and 1 tablespoon brown sugar into a stand mixer bowl fitted with the dough hook. Add the warm milk and gently stir. Allow the mixture to sit until it becomes puffed and foamy on top, approximately 10 minutes, indicating the yeast is active.
  2. Mix Dough Ingredients: To the foamy yeast mixture, add melted butter, egg, and molasses. Stir to combine thoroughly. Then add flour and kosher salt. Knead the dough using the dough hook until smooth and a ball forms, about 5 minutes.
  3. First Rise: Remove the dough from the bowl. Lightly oil the bowl or coat it with cooking spray, then return the dough to the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
  4. Prepare Filling: In a separate bowl, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, ground ginger, and nutmeg or cloves. Mix well to create the spice-sugar filling.
  5. Roll Out Dough: Generously grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter. Lightly dust a work surface with flour and roll out the dough into a rectangle approximately 9 by 24 inches.
  6. Assemble Rolls: Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough surface. Sprinkle the prepared cinnamon-ginger sugar mixture evenly over the butter and gently press to adhere. Starting with the long edge nearest you, roll the dough into a tight log. Pinch the seam to seal. Using a sharp knife, cut the log into 10-12 rolls and place them in the greased baking dish.
  7. Overnight Rise: Cover the rolls tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to allow a slow rise and flavor development.
  8. Bring to Room Temperature and Preheat Oven: In the morning, remove the rolls from the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature for 30-45 minutes while preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  9. Bake Rolls: Bake the rolls for 25 minutes or until they turn golden brown on top.
  10. Prepare Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar and beat to combine. Finally, beat in vanilla extract or vanilla bean seeds until smooth.
  11. Frost and Serve: Spread the cream cheese frosting over the warm cinnamon rolls and serve immediately for a delicious treat.

Notes

  • Ensure the milk is warm, not hot, to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
  • Optional to use fresh ground nutmeg or cloves; you can experiment with both or choose your favorite spice.
  • Refrigerating the rolls overnight improves flavor and texture via slow fermentation.
  • Allowing the rolls to come to room temperature before baking ensures even cooking.
  • Use a sharp knife or dental floss to cut the rolls cleanly without squishing them.
  • For a dairy-free variation, substitute butter with plant-based alternatives and use dairy-free cream cheese.

Find it online: https://bitezly.com/overnight-gingerbread-cinnamon-rolls-recipe/