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I could not let Christmas pass by without sharing my overnight eggnog brioche cinnamon rolls. Buttery, eggy brioche dough made with seasonal eggnog, sprinkled with warming cinnamon sugar, and frosted generously with a browned butter and cream cheese frosting. There’s nothing not to love, every bite is melt in your mouth delicious. These rolls are a great make ahead breakfast, and perfect for your Christmas celebrations!
Happiest Friday before Christmas!!
For a lot of you, today is probably your last day in the office for 2018. I hope everyone is feeling the excitement in the air like we are over here. There’s still a few things to finish up over the weekend, but that just goes with the territory of running your own business…it’s somewhat non-stop.
I feel like it’s super important to be real with you guys. The internet and social media can paint this perfect picture. But the reality is that nothing (and no one) are perfect. It’s so easy for me to sit here and type that out, but I really need to listen to my own words.
This week I let myself fall down the Instagram rabbit hole that feels lonely and miserable. I know a lot of you can probably relate. For some reason I let my guard down and broke all the Instagram rules I set for myself long ago. I played the comparison game all week long. It was zero fun and I’ve decided that I will not let that happen anymore. This means no scrolling Instagram for a while. Instead I’ll be focusing on what really matters. Cooking good food, spending time with my family (arriving tonight), celebrating Christmas, working to finish up a big project, and hopefully playing in the snow a little too.
No real reason for the life talk other than the fact that I know a lot of you can struggle with comparison too. When that happens, it’s really important to step away from social media and focus on what you really want to be focusing on. For me right now that’s family and work. And at this very moment, sharing these delicious cinnamon rolls!
I was out hiking yesterday morning and had a mild panic attack (not really, but going for dramatics) when I realized I never shared these cinnamon rolls with you guys. I have been planning to make these for months and months now. Yet somehow the last Friday before Christmas snuck up on me way faster than I could have imagined.
I had another post planned for today, but I knew I needed to share these first. So I spent all day perfecting this recipe. And here they are, my Christmas Cinnamon Rolls. They turned out better than I could have wished, and I’m really excited to be sharing them with you guys today. Hoping you still have time to fit them into your Christmas baking list.
Seeing as everything is hectic this time of year, I wanted to keep these as easy as possible. I took the base recipe from the salted brioche cinnamon rolls I have in my cookbook, sped up a few things, and flavored the recipe with seasonal eggnog. Now, I know that eggnog is rather a touchy ingredient. You either love it or hate it…I get the feeling there may be more haters out there than lovers.
I too am not the biggest fan. BUT, have you ever baked with eggnog? If you have not, you’re missing out. Using eggnog in sweet breads is truly my favorite thing to do during the holidays. The eggnog is flavored with cinnamon and nutmeg, so in reality it’s just like favored whole milk. And everyone, it’s delicious when used in a cinnamon roll recipe.
So add some eggnog to the brioche dough. Let the dough rise a bit, then roll it out and sprinkle with a brown sugar cinnamon. I like to use brown sugar for a nice depth of flavor. And I go heavy on the cinnamon…I mean, these are cinnamon rolls!
Roll the dough, cut into rolls and place in a baking dish to rise. Next, you have two options. You can do a quick rise or you can let the rolls rise overnight in the fridge. I love to make these a day or two ahead and let them rise in the fridge. That way, on Christmas morning, all I have to do is bake and frost them. This gives me plenty time to open gifts and drink coffee by the fire with little miss Asher (who’s really not so little anymore…enter sad face).
For the frosting, I stuck with my standard.
Browned butter + cream cheese + vanilla. Simple. Easy. And the best. I cannot think of a better Christmas morning breakfast. Very excited to be making these for my family this year. Hoping you all will be too!
See you tomorrow for the very last Christmas Cocktail Saturday of 2018!
If you make these cinnamon rolls, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Overnight Eggnog Brioche Cinnamon Rolls
Servings: 12
Calories Per Serving: 1574 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup high quality eggnog, warmed (you can also use whole milk)
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter, melted
- 3 1/2 – 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- ½ tsp kosher salt
Filling
- ½ cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter, at room temperature, plus more for greasing
Frosting
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1¼ cups confectioners’ sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- 1. To make the dough. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the eggnog, yeast, honey, eggs, butter, 3 ½ cups flour, and salt. Using the dough hook, mix until the flour is completely incorporated, about 4-5 minutes. If the dough seems sticky, add the remaining ½ cup of flour. It’s better to have a sticker dough rather than a dry do, so add flour 1 tablespoon at a time.2. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for 1 hour or until the dough has doubled in size.3. Meanwhile, make the filling. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, and cinnamon. Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment. 4. Lightly dust your work surface with flour. Turn out the dough, punch it down, and roll it into a rectangle about 10 x 16 inches. Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar evenly over the butter and lightly push into the butter. Starting with the long edge closest to you, carefully roll the dough into a log, keeping it fairly tight as you go. When you reach the edge, pinch along the edge to seal. Using a sharp knife, cut into 12-15 rolls. Place the rolls in the prepared baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise 20-30 minutes or transfer to the fridge to rise overnight (this is ideal if you have time).5. Remove the rolls from the fridge. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake the rolls for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown.6. Meanwhile, make the frosting. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the butter is lightly browned and smells toasted. Immediately remove from the heat. Let cool.7. In a medium bowl, beat together the cooled browned butter, cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla until smooth. If the frosting is too thick for your liking, add a tablespoon of eggnog or milk.8. Spread the frosting over the warm rolls. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt (if desired) and serve.
This post was originally published on December 21, 2018
Perfect, again! I make those once a year, for Christmas or new year breakfast, like yesterday. They are easy to make and so delicious. Thank you, Tieghan, for this and so many other great recipes I rely on year round to serve home made meals for my family. Wishing you all the best in the new year! Sonja
Hey Sonja,
Fantastic! I appreciate you trying this recipe and your comment, love to hear it turned out well for you!
Have the best weekend!
This was my first time making these rolls and hands down these were the BEST! This morning, my husband and I each enjoyed two…yes, two, for our Christmas morning breakfast. I then drove seven rolls up the street to more family members. My family raved about these rolls! But the wonderful thing was that this recipe was so easy to follow. I prepared the rolls last night and all that I needed to do this morning was bake them and make the frosting. Thank you for finally giving me the best recipe to use every year for my Christmas cinnamon rolls!
Hey Karen,
Big thanks for making this recipe and sharing back. So glad it hit the spot!
Happy Holidays!
This may be year 5 I’ve made these for Christmas morning. Always a hit. Family tradition now. Thanks for the memories!
Hey Gina,
Awesome! Thanks so much for making this recipe each year, I am so glad it always turns out nicely for you!
Merry Christmas!🎄🎁
I’ve made these before and it was so simple and delicious!
If I want to make these ahead of time and freeze – do I freeze after step 4 allowing for 20-30min to rise or straight into the freezer after assembling, take out and thaw, then allow to rise?
Thanks!
Hey Sophie,
Perfect! Love to hear this recipe turned out nicely for you, thanks for making it!
You will freeze after step 4, allowing them to rise first. Happy Holidays!🎁🎄
The ONLY cinnamon roll recipe that I make year round! It is amazing and pretty dang easy. I’ve gotten so many compliments from family and friends when I have made this recipe.
Ps, I haven’t made canned cinnamon rolls since I found this recipe. I’m never going back.
Wow thank you so so much Cleo! So happy to hear these cinnamon rolls have been a hit for you! Thanks for the kind comment! 🙂 xT
i’ve been making these for years now for christmas morning and every year we somehow forget how AMAZING they are!! i have to work christmas eve this year; do you think if i make them two nights before it’ll be okay? or if i make them a week before, let them rise overnight, and freeze them, would it be okay?
Thanks for making these each year, Hope! Yes, you can do either one…the fridge or make a week ahead and freeze.
Happy Holidays!
would it be okay to refrigerate for about 24 hours before baking, instead of just overnight? or best to freeze then dethaw if making that far ahead? thanks!
Hi Jordyn,
24 hours will be perfectly okay:) I hope you love this recipe! Happy Holidays!
Wow- was literally coming here to say the same thing Hope! We’ve been making these (or a version of them- originally the pull apart eggnog brioche, then these perfect cinna rolls) since moving to CO about 12 years ago but I’m working a 24 hr shift Christmas Eve ending 7am Christmas morning and had the same questions about advance prep!
Thanks so much, Lauren:)
Merry Christmas!
When taking them out of the fridge. Should they sit out to rise a bit? None of the overnight recipes mention this and straight from fridge to oven seems off to me…
Hey Erin,
Yes, you can let them sit for a bit:) I hope you love this recipe!
I tried your pumpkin cinnamon roll for Thanksgiving and they were a hit so when I was looking to elevate my cinnamon roll for Christmas I could not pass up this recipe. They were so easy to make and a crowd favorite! This will be my go to Christmas cinnamon roll in the future!
Thanks so much, Kristen:) I am so glad you have been enjoying the cinnamon roll recipes, I appreciate you making them! Happy New Year!!🎆 xxT
This recipe is divine, we’ve made it for Xmas morning for several years now. A few years back I shared the recipe with my coworkers and everyone made it with great delight! Each was made with slight variations and they all turned out great. The basic recipe is amazing!
Thank you Tieghan
Aww, thank you so much, Maggie! I am so glad this recipe is always a hit with your family, I appreciate you making it each year! Happy Holidays! xT
LOVE these and make them every Christmas morning for my family. I am newly gluten free, any recommendations for modifications/substitutions to make?
Hi Nicole,
Perfect!! Love to hear this recipe is always enjoyed, I appreciate you making it each year and your comment! You should be fine using an equal amount of gluten free flour. xT
My favorite cinnamon rolls ever! Everyone always loves them every time I make them! I was wondering if it would be ok to make them 2 days ahead to let rise in the fridge instead of just overnight?
Hey Josephine,
Awesome!! Love to hear this recipe is always enjoyed, thanks so much for making it so often! Sure, I think 2 days would be just fine for you to do. Happy Sunday! xxT
The is such a wonderful recipe! Everyone enjoys them so much! Thank you for sharing it with us!
Hey Maria,
Thanks for the thoughtful feedback after trying this recipe, I’m happy to hear it was a win!
Happy Holidays!🎄🎁
Absolutely love these! Wanted to bring these on our beach vacation – is it possible to make ahead and freeze? What would be the best way to prepare ahead of time?
Hey Lindsay,
Totally!! You can freeze at the end of step 4, that will work well for you! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Freeze after step 4…. And then how to proceed? Straight from freezer to oven? Thaw first?
You’ll want to thaw first and allow them to rise in warm place and then bake as directed:)
My first attempt at cinnamon rolls! It will not be my last! Great recipe! Used whole milk ( no eggnog available after Christmas apparently! ) So easy and delicious! Thank you!
Thank you so much Susan! So glad you loved these cinnamon rolls! xT
This was the best and easiest cinnamon roll recipe I’ve ever made. We enjoyed them Christmas morning and my husband is ready for me to make them weekly. We will probably enjoy them again soon!
Hi Nicole! Thank you sooo much for giving this recipe a try! I hope you enjoyed it! xT
Hii there, question about the yesst.. should I give it a few minutes to get a little frothy before mixing everything together? Adding it to the warm milk or eggnog and letting it sit for a minute or two?
Made a few days ago and put in freezer, going to take out tonight to bake in the morning. Should I put them in fridge or leave on counter to thaw ?
Hi Mandy! I would let them thaw for a bit and then bake them 🙂 xT
Since it’s instant yeast you can just add it right in. I made these today and used active dry yeast, so I let it proof for about 10 minutes in 2-3 tbs warm water and a drop of honey (whisked together), before adding it to the rest of the ingredients.
Hi there! The recipe calls for instant yeas, so you don’t need to do anything to the yeast! xT
Hi Tieghan,
Would gluten free flour work for these?
Made these for Christmas morning… So easy and wonderful for a stress free morning! I used a glass pan and only buttered it, they all came out easily so I don’t think you need to line with parchment. Also only used 1 package of instant yeast rather than a full tablespoon and they still rose nicely. Thank you!
Hi! Thank you so so much for trying out the recipe! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas! xT
Hi Hannah! I haven’t ever tried this with gf flour before so I can’t say for sure! So sorry! xT