How to Freeze Cinnamon Rolls

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Published: Nov 8, 2019 · Modified: Apr 13, 2024 by Jessica · This post may contain affiliate links · 61 Comments

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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!

freshly frosted cinnamon rolls on a wax paper covered cookie sheet

The Best Frozen Cinnamon Rolls

Having homemade cinnamon rolls in my freezer at all times is one of my favorite life hacks.

Special occasion breakfast? Check. Lazy Sunday morning treat? Check. Hosting family and need to make multiple recipes at once? No problem, the cinnamon rolls are ready to go.

Not only is this recipe delicious but it makes a ton, so for a minimal amount of effort you can have homemade cinnamon rolls at your beck and call.

Best Frozen Cinnamon Rolls ingredients

Fresh Yeast
Sugar
Water
Butter
Eggs
Salt
Flour
Cinnamon
Brown Sugar

Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients

Cream Cheese
Butter
Powdered Sugar
Vanilla
Milk

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.

step by step process for making cinnamon rolls

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 ;).

step by step process photo collage for how to freeze cinnamon rolls

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.

Freezing Cinnamon Rolls FAQs

Why are my cinnamon rolls not light and fluffy?

Freezing Process: If the cinnamon rolls were not properly prepared for freezing, the texture can suffer. To freeze cinnamon rolls effectively, they should be fully cooled after baking, then tightly wrapped or sealed in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn. If they were frozen with too much exposure to air or moisture, it can affect the texture when they are thawed and baked.
Thawing Process: Thawing cinnamon rolls properly is crucial. If they were thawed at room temperature for an extended period or in a warm environment, the yeast in the dough may have become overly active, leading to a dense texture. To thaw frozen cinnamon rolls, it's best to place them in the refrigerator overnight. This slow thawing process helps preserve the dough's structure.
Quality of Ingredients: The quality of the ingredients used to make this recipe can also affect the final texture. Ensure that you're using fresh and high-quality ingredients, especially yeast and flour, for the best results.
Handling Techniques: Be gentle when handling the dough. Overworking the dough during shaping can cause it to become tough and lose its fluffiness.

Should you roll cinnamon rolls tight?

When making cinnamon rolls, it's generally a good practice to roll them moderately tight, but not excessively tight. Rolling them too tightly can lead to a few potential issues:
Difficulty Rolling: If you roll the dough too tightly, it can be challenging to maintain an even and consistent roll throughout the entire length of the dough. This can result in an uneven distribution of filling and a less uniform appearance.
Overly Dense Texture: Rolling the dough too tightly can compress the layers, causing the rolls to be denser when baked. Cinnamon rolls are known for their soft and fluffy texture, and rolling them too tightly can compromise this quality.
Filling Spillage: If the filling is spread too thickly or unevenly and the dough is rolled too tightly, it can cause the filling to ooze out of the rolls during baking, potentially making a mess in your baking dish.

What's the difference between a cinnamon bun and a cinnamon roll?

"Cinnamon bun" and "cinnamon roll" are terms that are often used interchangeably, and in many regions, they refer to the same type of sweet, cinnamon-flavored pastry. However, there can be some regional variations in how these terms are used, and some people may make subtle distinctions between the two. Here's a general explanation of the differences and similarities:
Cinnamon Roll: This term is often associated with rolls that are individual and have distinct, separate portions. Cinnamon rolls may have cream cheese icing, glaze, or frosting on top.
Cinnamon Bun: Some people use "bun" to describe a style where the cinnamon rolls are baked together with a sticky syrup or caramel sauce at the bottom of the pan. This style can result in a stickier, gooier texture.

a cinnamon roll on wax paper covered tray freshly frosted

You ready for this easy recipe? Let's do this!

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More Favorites from Pretty Providence

Make Ahead Cinnamon Rolls (Frozen 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

Cook Time: 15

Flash Freeze Time: 45

Total Time: 1 30

Servings:

Calories: 112kcal

Author: Pretty Providence

Video

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons fresh yeast
2 Tablespoons sugar
2 Cups warm water
1 Cup melted butter
6 eggs
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 Cup sugar
9 Cups flour
2 Tablespoons butter
Cinnamon
Brown Sugar

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

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?

cinnamon roll frosting in a clear glass bowl with beaters in bowl to one side

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

Total Time: 5

Servings:

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 well so 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

Did you make this recipe?Mention @prettyprovidenceblog or tag #prettyprovidence!

three cinnamon rolls on a white plate with the pan in the back ground

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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How to Freeze Cinnamon Rolls

The Best Frozen Cinnamon Rolls