Overnight Cinnamon Buns

I know some of you have been waiting for this recipe to appear on the blog! These rolls have become a regular at Second Saturdays at the Rustic Honey Boutique Showroom.

They are delicious, great with coffee… and most importantly they are SO. FREAKING. EASY.

Now you know why I choose to make them over and over again! After prepping the showroom all week (okay, its more like all day Friday because I like to procrastinate) the last thing I want to do is stand in my kitchen for hours making beautiful pastries. Don’t get wrong, I love to do this on occasion and I do LOVE my customers, but Friday nights are better spent relaxing with my family, being a couch potato, watching 20/20, and enjoying a “much deserved” adult beverage… or two. 😉

I do a quick prep, go to sleep, and wake up to cinnamon rolls! It’s almost like I have magical pastry fairies in my kitchen! Now, if only I could find my magic cleaning fairies…

Okay, here’s the scoop:

Overnight Cinnamon Buns

 (Otherwise known as “Christmas Morning Rolls” in our family!)

For The Rolls:

• 24 Frozen Dinner Rolls (I typically use Rhodes rolls)
• 1 pkg (3.5 oz) Butterscotch Pudding (Cook & Serve – NOT INSTANT!)
• 1/2 c. Butter
• 3/4 c. Brown Sugar
• 1 tsp. Cinnamon
• Optional: 1/2 c. Chopped Nuts (I sometimes use walnuts or pecans)

For The Icing:

• 1/8 to 1/4 c. Butter, Melted
• 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
• Pinch of Salt
• Powdered Sugar 

Directions:

1. The night before, grease a baking dish and arrange the frozen rolls in the bottom, leaving space between for rising.
2. Sprinkle with the dry butterscotch pudding and set aside.
3. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small saucepan (I’ve even microwaved before), then remove from heat and add in the brown sugar and cinnamon. *Note: Do not continue to heat the brown sugar. If it simmers too long it will start to harden making your rolls more chewy. I learned this the hard way. 🙁 (But don’t worry, they were still delicious!)
4. Pour the melted butter-sugar mixture over the rolls. Don’t worry if most of the mixture goes to the bottom of the pan, it is supposed to! Cover lightly and let rise overnight.

In the Morning:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Uncover the rolls and bake for about 30 minutes. Remove from oven.
3. Let stand no more than 5 minutes, then invert carefully onto a serving plate. I find it helpful to use a butter knife around the edges to loosen before flipping.
4. Add icing if desired >>> Melt the butter (microwave works great here), then add in vanilla and salt. Gradually add in powdered sugar and stir together until desired consistency is achieved. Drizzle over the rolls and enjoy!

I don’t know if you’ve caught on to this yet, but the secret is…

butter, carbs, sugar and more butter.
I’m sorry, but no one can tell me that’s not the necessary criteria for an amazing treat! Just sayin’!  I’ve done this recipe so many times now, it takes me less than five minutes the night before to get them ready. I cover them and leave them to rise while I catch some zzz’s.

The next morning, I just start the oven while I’m getting ready. Uncover the rolls and throw ’em in for about 30 minutes.

After a couple minutes out of the oven, they get inverted onto a serving plate and I add icing.

Now you see… butter, sugar, more butter!   Warm, gooey, sweet cinnamon buns! And no one will ever guess they were this easy!

If you want to try them for yourself, come join us for special events at the showroom this fall! I’m so excited to show off all of the new stuff coming into the boutique for Christmas! I’m loving it all… which could be a problem! 😉

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

-Lauren