Homemade overnight salted caramel chocolate cinnamon rolls are a decadent breakfast or brunch, perfect for holidays and special occasions.
One of my deep, dark secrets (although maybe less deep and dark than I think since I’ve mentioned it before) is that even though I’m a sugar fiend, I almost never want sweets at breakfast.
Maybe once a year, on Christmas or something, I’ll go for something sweet in the a.m., but the rest of the year no thank you.
HOWEVER, I’d 100 percent make an exception for these overnight salted caramel chocolate cinnamon rolls. Yes, they’re as unreal as they sound. Hence the exception.
Back-to-school is my least favorite time of year. I HATED August growing up. It meant summer was coming to an end, and my days of doing nothing but reading Babysitter’s Club and playing little mermaid with my friends were numbered. It was painful.
And I can’t help but think of all the kids out there who feel like I did.
While I can’t wave a magic wand and make their days of boring math and science classes enjoyable, I CAN give their parents a recipe for delicious cinnamon rolls.
Hint, hint these would be perfect for the first day of school because you do most of the work the night before. Yes, that’s right. They’re MAKE-AHEAD! This means an easy breakfast prep for you :).
If I’m being totally honest, these are probably better for dessert on the first day of school since I don’t think sugar bombs for breakfast are a good thing. But if your children handle sugar better than I do, then go for it and treat them to a breakfast worth waking up for.
Even if the rest of the day involves first-day jitters and text books out of which some previous student has scratched all the important words.
And hey! You have lots of options when you make these:
–If you don’t like salted caramel then leave out the salt in the glaze
–Not a chocolate for breakfast person? Leave out the chocolate!
–You can skip the frosting if you’re short on time. (The frosting is indulgent but unnecessary since you already have the caramel glaze.)
–You can make extra frosting if you like TONS of it (that’s a no-brainer right?)
–Chop up some pecans and add them when you add the chocolate for a little extra crunch
You do your breakfast thing! Just make a batch of these overnight salted caramel chocolate cinnamon rolls. You’ll thank me later.
These overnight salted chocolate cinnamon rolls make a decadent breakfast or brunch, fit for any occasion!
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour plus more as needed
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cold butter
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup lukewarm whole milk plus more as needed
- 6 tablespoons butter at room temperature
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon
- 1/3 cup finely chopped milk or dark chocolate
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature
- 3 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups powdered sugar
- whole milk as needed for consistency
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Place the flour, yeast, salt, sugar, and butter in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until well combined. Add the eggs and pulse a few times more.
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With the machine running, slowly pour the milk through the feed tube. Process for 30 seconds, adding additional lukewarm milk 1 tablespoon at a time if necessary, until the mixture forms a ball that is sticky to the touch. If you add too much milk and the mixture gets too sticky, add a bit more flour 1 tablespoon at a time.
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Spray a large mixing bowl with cooking spray. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured counter and knead a few times, then shape the dough into a ball. Place dough in the prepared bowl and turn it over a few times to coat in cooking spray. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature until the dough doubles in size, 1 to 2 hours.
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Gently deflate the dough, then form it into a ball again. Place on a lightly floured surface and let rest 20 minutes.
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While dough is resting, mix the sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl.
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Generously spray a 13- by 9-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Combine the brown sugar, cream, and salt in a small mixing bowl, then spread evenly in the bottom of the pan.
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Roll out the dough on a lightly floured work surface into a 13- by 9-inch rectangle. Spread the room temperature butter over the rectangle, top the butter with the cinnamon sugar mixture, the sprinkle the chopped chocolate over the top. Roll the dough lengthwise into a tight log, then pinch the seam closed. Carefully cut the log into 15 slices. Arrange the slices in the prepared pan. Cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator overnight. (If you’re not making the rolls ahead, let the rolls rise at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours, until doubled in size.)
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In the morning, remove the rolls from the fridge and let sit in a warm place until they’ve puffed up a bit, about 20 to 30 minutes. (If it’s really cold in your house, preheat the oven and let the rolls sit next to the stove until they get puffy.)
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Once the rolls have puffed, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Remove the plastic wrap and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the rolls are golden.
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While cinnamon rolls are in the oven, combine the butter and cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer set to medium speed until very smooth. Beat in the vanilla and salt until combined, then turn mixer to low and gradually beat in 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar. Turn mixer to medium and beat until frosting is completely smooth. If necessary, add milk (if frosting is too thick) or powdered sugar (if frosting is too thin) to achieve desired consistency.
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Let the rolls cool in the pan for 15 to 20 minutes, then invert onto a serving plate. Top with frosting and serve.
Cinnamon rolls adapted from How to Bake Everything
Miriam @londonkitchendiaries says
August 3, 2017 at 1:22 amCinnamon Rolls are one of my favourite sweet treats and I like that you can make them ahead and enjoy for breakfast 🙂
Miriam x
cakespy says
August 3, 2017 at 3:52 amThere’s literally no part of this recipe’s name that is wrong. Judging by the pictures and your description, it’s all 100 percent right. Oh what sweet dreams to know that these are awaiting you in the morning!
David | Spiced says
August 3, 2017 at 4:33 amDude. I will gladly go back to grade school if it means a batch of these cinnamon rolls will show up in the morning! And you do such a good job of capturing those back to school feelings, Kelsie! I almost feel like I’m going back to school myself. I remember those days. But for some reason, my memories don’t include these rolls. I need to go back and fix that now! And I can’t believe you are a non-sweets for breakfast kinda gal. I mean you post such amazing sweets!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
August 3, 2017 at 5:47 amI’m more of a savory type of girl, but I think being allergic to chocolate kind of killed my sweet tooth. BUT, when I do have a craving for sweets, LOOK OUT! I’m unstoppable. lol. And salted caramel is one of my faaaaavorites! I love me some cinnamon rolls, so the fact that these are salted caramel cinnamon rolls?! YES YES YES! Obviously I’m going to have to nix the chocolate, but these delicious bad boys ARE happening here! Cheers!
Thao @ In Good Flavor says
August 3, 2017 at 7:04 amSalted Caramel Cinnamon Rolls? That sounds amazing!! I’m not a huge breakfast girl and don’t have it on my days off but will eat it when I have to go to work for brain power. I can eat these for breakfast (or snack, or dessert) any day of the week! They look dreamy and finger licking-good, Kelsie!!
Milena | Craft Beering says
August 3, 2017 at 7:22 amI was definitely surprised to learn that you don’t dig sweet for breakfast! But OK, I’ll have to accept that:) These rolls look so pretty, I can only imagine the smell while they are baking. I’ll try making them with my son, he has been into banana bread (we bake it twice a week now), but loves cinnamon rolls whenever we let him have one at Panera Bread. Will be stoked to make rolls! The salted caramel glaze on these is my personal favorite.
pglooney says
August 3, 2017 at 8:15 amI love overnight cinnamon rolls! I make them every year on christmas eve to throw in the oven christmas morning! Smells the house with deliciousness and I can visit with family while they cook. This flavor sounds amazing
Ann Sageer says
August 3, 2017 at 10:11 amThis has Christmas morning written all over it but I’m very certain I’ll have to test it a few times before the big show! 😉 Delicious, my friend!
Mary Ann @ thebeachhousekitchen says
August 3, 2017 at 10:17 amSalted caramel chocolate?! OMG! They sound delicious Kelsie! I agree with Annie!
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says
August 3, 2017 at 10:35 amCan you imagine waking up to these? Um, YES!!! I don’t usually do sweets in the morning either, but I’ll have to make an exception for these. Then again, they would be pretty awesome just about any time of day, don’t ya think? I can practically smell ’em now!! And salted caramel? One of my favourite things – love the salty/sweet profile!
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
August 3, 2017 at 11:32 amI love cinnamon rolls and often something sweet preferably with something savory 24/7 LOL! The bread on these rolls looks amazing and that glaze? Oh heavens I need an intervention.
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
August 3, 2017 at 2:24 pmI love that you refer to them as sugar bombs, lol! My son might go a little nutty with one of these at breakfast, but if I save it for a weekend then he can run laps in the backyard, right? Kids do that, right? I’m a salted caramel FANATIC so have me downright tickled pink. Cheers!
dawnyucuiscooking says
August 3, 2017 at 5:38 pmI would be able to eat one or maybe even two for breakfast. They look delicious. I love the fact that you can make them the night before and bake them in the morning. Love these!!
Kelly @ Kelly Lynn's Sweets and Treats says
August 3, 2017 at 8:17 pmI’m totally a sweets for breakfast kind of girl, so I would be ALL over these!! And I was a Baby Sitters Club book addict. Pinning these cinnamon rolls for later! Xoxo
Georgie | The Home Cook's Kitchen says
August 3, 2017 at 8:18 pmgah I relate to you on so many levels! a) sweet breakfasts are not my things, unless it is super good! b) the fact that is August is giving me milk anxiety knowing that I’ll have to go back to school (AS A TEACHER! lol) as well! but at least I cant make these and forget my stresses! x
Deepika|TheLoveOfCakes says
August 4, 2017 at 5:33 amI wouldn’t mind waking up to these glorious cinnamon rolls at all :D. There is chocolate, salted caramel and the most important thing-convenience :P. The fact that I can do everything a night earlier and wake up to a delicious breakfast the next morning makes it even better!!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
August 4, 2017 at 8:24 amSalted caramel chocolate for breakfast? Sign me up!
Stacey @ The Sugar Coated Cottage says
August 4, 2017 at 4:27 pmI need these in my life stat!! Salted caramel is a great add to a cinnamon roll. Well done! Take care.
blahnikbaker says
August 4, 2017 at 6:35 pmAnything with caramel has me sold!!
lynne hoareau says
August 5, 2017 at 1:24 amOh wow ! I definitely need these in my life. Anything cinnamon for me is heaven and these sound even more than heavenly with the with the caramel and chocolate and pecans. I can just envision that amazing cinnamon roll aroma filtering my kitchen. This is a must !!! Not only for breakfast, but for all those snack attacks during the day ! Yum !!!
Kate | My Little Larder says
August 5, 2017 at 2:03 amI’m totally like you and can’t generally have pastries or sweets for breakfast – I’m a cereal or porridge girl! I’m with you and would totally make an exception for these though. They look delicious and I LOVE that you can leave them to do their thing overnight. Serious yum!
Emma says
August 6, 2017 at 2:54 pmI would want these for breakfast, lunch and dinner then another helping for dessert 🙂
evolvewithmary says
August 6, 2017 at 8:20 pmMy mother made the best cinnamons rolls when I was growing up, but I think she lost the recipe or the touch because I asked her to make some for me recently and they didn’t taste the same. I should try your recipe because I’m dying for some good homemade cinnamon rolls 🙂 And I love Salted Caramel
Ashika | Gardening Foodie says
August 6, 2017 at 10:34 pmOH YES these look so delicious Kelsie…. they will make the perfect breakfast treat to start off the week and get everybody out of bed with the delicious aroma filling up the house….absolutely perfect.?
Kate says
August 7, 2017 at 9:35 amWUT!?! These sound stupid delicious.
Kelsie says
August 7, 2017 at 10:32 amThank you so much, Kate!
grace says
August 7, 2017 at 10:37 amcinnamon rolls are something i rarely make, not because they’re time-consuming but because they’re so decadent! they’re a special occasion treat, and these are definitely worthy!
Kelsie says
August 8, 2017 at 8:23 amI hear you–they’re waaaaay too dangerous for everyday eating :). Have a great week, Grace!
Kim | The Baking ChocolaTess says
August 7, 2017 at 6:50 pmDivine! I want to snuggle with these. 😀
Kelsie says
August 8, 2017 at 8:21 amCinnamon roll snuggles are the best!
hummingbirdthyme says
August 8, 2017 at 10:50 amOh man! You always include all of my favorite food groups – chocolate, salted caramel, cream cheese, cinnamon rolls – DANG! These sound amazing! They may even get my son out of bed in the morning before school!
Kelsie says
August 8, 2017 at 8:09 pmHahaha! They’re my favorite food groups too :). Thank you Laura!
Marissa (@pinchandswirl) says
August 8, 2017 at 2:50 pmI’m totally the same – give me eggs and toast any day over sweets for breakfast. But there are some times when it just sounds perfect – a Christmas morning kind of situation – and these look absolutely perfect.
Kelsie says
August 8, 2017 at 8:11 pmThank you Marissa! I’m definitely doing these for Christmas this year!
Carlee says
August 8, 2017 at 7:58 pmI was with you until you started the business about leaving out the chocolate or leaving off the frosting…… um. never! Like never ever ever. I’ll forgive you this once though. Now pass me one of these gems… full chocolate and frosting!
Kelsie says
August 8, 2017 at 8:12 pmHahaha! I’ll send you a batch with extra frosting :). Thank you Carlee!
3scoopsofsugar says
August 9, 2017 at 6:51 pmThese sounds absolutely delicious! I just can’t say no to a cinnamon roll, and I’m pretty sure every once in awhile a sugar bomb is okay. 😉 And I see this effect of sugar bombs on a daily basis because my husband loves candy and he just can’t say no to the kids when they ask. So (almost) every evening, they go and go and go!! Haha!
Kelsie says
August 10, 2017 at 5:23 pmHaha! Oh I’m glad you think it’s OK–I actually felt a little bad suggesting it as a breakfast :). Have a great weekend, Megan!
Danielle says
August 11, 2017 at 3:16 pmThese look awesome! I love cinnamon rolls so much….
Kelsie says
August 12, 2017 at 3:12 pmThank you Danielle! Hope you’re having a great weekend!