Overnight Cinnamon Sticky Buns

When I set out to make these Cinnamon buns, butter tart flavor was what I was after. And although I used all the same ingredients that I use in my other butter tart recipes, for some reason, they didn't turn out that way.

And in the end, I really didn't even know how to describe what they actually tasted like or what to even call them, except DELICIOUS! So, I am calling them Overnight Sticky Cinnamon Buns because they are part sticky bun and part cinnamon roll. Either way, they are really easy, yummy and perfect for bringing along to a breakfast potluck or holiday brunch! 

💭Difference Between Sticky Buns and Cinnamon Rolls

This recipe is a hybrid because it's not really a cinnamon roll, nor is it a sticky bun! Typically, a sticky bun has a caramel glaze and nuts and after baking, the pan is inverted so the glaze is on top (like it is in this recipe). The big difference is that cinnamon buns/rolls are generally placed directly into a baking dish, and a cream cheese glaze is drizzled on top after baking. Typically, cinnamon rolls do not contain nuts and sticky buns don't have raisins. So there you have it - a true hybrid! You can read more about the differences between cinnamon rolls and sticky buns HERE.

🥘 Ingredients

If you've heard of Best of Bridge's "Land of Nod Buns" then you will be familiar with this method, as this recipe was adapted from it. Frozen dough, in the form of frozen dinner rolls (unbaked) are topped with yummy stuff, left to rise overnight, then baked in a bundt pan in the morning. It's an easy and convenient way to get delicious, fresh tasting sticky cinnamon buns without very much effort!

In addition to frozen dinner rolls, for this recipe, you'll also need:

• butterscotch instant pudding powder (affiliate link)
• brown sugar
• lemon zest
• cinnamon
• butter
• vinegar
• whipping cream
• raisins
• maple extract (affiliate link)
• butter extract (affiliate link)

📖 Variations & Substitutions

• Raisins- you can substitute almonds or pecans
• Maple extract- you can substitute 1.5 tbsp of maple syrup, but be sure to reduce whipping cream by 1.5 tbsp and reduce brown sugar by 1 tbsp
• Butter extract- I do not recommend you substitute for this, but if you absolutely have to, you can use a rum extract or in a pinch, use vanilla extract

🌡️Storing 

Although I'm a morning person, sometimes it's nice to just sit, drink coffee and not worry about putting together breakfast. This is especially helpful if you have to go to a breakfast or brunch.

Make- ahead: We have a lot of breakfast potlucks at work and that's why I love make-ahead breakfasts like these Overnight Cinnamon Buns!! When I have to be out the door by 7 am, there isn't much time for prepping and cooking, so doing most of it the night before is ideal. I have also made these a day in advance, but you can make them up to 3 days in advance if you store them in the fridge (in a sealed container). They do reheat quite nicely.

Freezing: You can freeze these sticky buns for up to 3 months in a sealed container.

🍽 Equipment

You will need a bundt pan (see my Amazon recommendations in the NOTES under the recipe card). You could also use an angel food cake pan if you don't have a bundt pan (it will just look a little different).

👪 Serving size

This recipe makes 20 buns, but they are small so you are going to want more than one! Just keep that in mind when you are planning to serve this recipe. You can double this recipe, but you'll need 2 bundt pans.

I wasn't successful in making these guys butter tart flavored, I have had other butter tart successes, including this Butter Tart Bundt Cake, Butter Tart Waffles and these Butter Tart Thumbprint Cookies.  So be sure to check them out if you also LOVE butter tarts!

And I still have some other butter tart ideas up my sleeve (stay tuned)... But if I don't succeed, hopefully the result will be as delicious as these Cinnamon Sticky Buns! So, if you are looking for an easy cinnamon rolls recipe, using frozen bread dough, you'll love this one!

Happy Brunching!

⭐ Reviews

Did you make this recipe? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

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5 from 8 votes

📋Overnight Cinnamon Sticky Buns Recipe

These Overnight Cinnamon Sticky Buns, adapted from the The Land of Nod Cinnamon Buns, use frozen dinner rolls and are prepped the night before. They are baked in the morning so they are a quick and easy breakfast the next day. They are perfect for bringing along to a holiday breakfast/brunch or breakfast potluck!

Course Breakfast, brunch, Snack

Cuisine American, Canadian

Keyword cinnamon buns, land of nod, sticky buns

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Resting/Rising 8 hours

Servings 20 buns

Calories 210kcal

Author Adapted from The Best of Bridge, ACES cookbook, pg 39

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Equipment

• bundt pan

Ingredients

• 20 frozen (unbaked) dinner rolls
• 1 ½ tsp lemon zest
• ¼ cup butterscotch instant pudding powder
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• ½ cup butter, melted
• 1 tsp vinegar
• ¼ cup whipping cream
• ¼ tsp maple extract
• ½ tsp butter extract
• ¾ cup raisins * or substitute almonds or pecans

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• Spray a 10 inch bundt pan generously with non-stick cooking spray and add frozen rolls.
• Sprinkle lemon zest over rolls.
• Then sprinkle on the butterscotch pudding powder, cinnamon and brown sugar.
• Mix melted butter, vinegar, extracts and whipping cream together and pour over buns. Then sprinkle on raisins or almonds or pecans.
• Cover with a damp cloth and let sit at room temp overnight.
• In the morning, preheat oven to 350 F and bake for 25 mins.
• Let sit for 5 minutes, then turn onto a plate or platter to remove buns from bundt pan.

Garnish (optional)

• Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.

Notes

📖 Variations & Substitutions

• Raisins- you can substitute almonds or pecans
• Maple extract- you can substitute 1.5 tbsp of maple syrup, but be sure to reduce whipping cream by 1.5 tbsp and reduce brown sugar by 1 tbsp
• Butter extract- I do not recommend you substitute for this, but if you absolutely have to, you can use a rum extract or in a pinch, use vanilla extract

🌡️Storing 

Make- ahead: We have a lot of breakfast potlucks at work and that's why I love make-ahead breakfasts like these Overnight Cinnamon Buns!! When I have to be out the door by 7 am, there isn't much time for prepping and cooking, so doing most of it the night before is ideal. I have also made these a day in advance, but you can make them up to 3 days in advance if you store them in the fridge (in a sealed container). They do reheat quite nicely.

Freezing: You can freeze these sticky buns for up to 3 months in a sealed container.

🍽 Equipment

You will need a bundt pan. You could also use an angel food cake pan if you don't have a bundt pan (it will just look a little different).

My Amazon Recommendations (affiliate links)

⭐ Reviews

Did you make this recipe? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

Please SUBSCRIBE  (get my FREE E-cookbook) and be sure to FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST!

Nutrition Facts

📋Overnight Cinnamon Sticky Buns Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 210 Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Fat 8g12%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Cholesterol 13mg4%

Sodium 272mg12%

Potassium 105mg3%

Carbohydrates 33g11%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 9g10%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 147IU3%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 90mg9%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Calories: 210kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 272mg | Potassium: 105mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 147IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 2mg

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🍳More make-ahead breakfast potluck ideas

• Maple Sausage Brunch Bites
• Easy Cinnamon Swirl Bread with Lemon Glaze
• Carrot Cake Doughnut Muffins
• Baileys Overnight French Toast
• Carrot Cake Overnight French Toast Casserole
• Raspberry Mocha Cinnamon Roll Lasagna