This Overnight Cinnamon Roll Bread with Chai Frosting is a warm, spiced delight that captures all the joy of cinnamon rolls in a beautifully layered pull-apart loaf. Prepared the night before and baked fresh in the morning, it’s perfect for slow weekends, holiday breakfasts, or anytime you want to treat yourself to something cozy and homemade. Finished with a rich chai-spiced cream cheese frosting, every bite is infused with aromatic flavors like cardamom, cinnamon, and vanilla—an irresistible twist on a beloved classic.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Make-ahead friendly: Prepare the dough the night before for easy baking the next morning.
- All the flavor of cinnamon rolls: Gooey swirls, spiced filling, and tender dough in a pull-apart format.
- Chai frosting magic: Creamy, fragrant, and perfectly balanced with sweet and spice.
- Great for sharing: A beautiful centerpiece for brunch, holidays, or special occasions.
- Simple ingredients: Uses pantry staples to create a bakery-worthy treat.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Dough:
- all-purpose flour
- granulated sugar
- salt
- active dry yeast
- warm milk (110°F / 43°C)
- large egg
- unsalted butter, melted
For the Cinnamon Filling:
- brown sugar, packed
- ground cinnamon
- ground nutmeg
- unsalted butter, softened
For the Chai Frosting:
- cream cheese, softened
- powdered sugar
- milk
- vanilla extract
- ground cardamom
- ground cloves
- ground cinnamon
Directions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast.
- Add warm milk, egg, and melted butter. Mix until a sticky dough forms.
- Knead for 5–6 minutes until smooth, then transfer to a greased bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- In the morning, roll the dough out into a rectangle. Spread with softened butter and sprinkle with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Roll up tightly into a log. Slice and layer the pieces into a greased loaf pan. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 45–60 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the loaf for 30–35 minutes, until golden brown and fully cooked through.
- While it cools slightly, make the frosting: whisk together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon until smooth.
- Drizzle the chai frosting over the warm bread and serve.
Servings and timing
Servings: 8 slices
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Rise Time: 8 hours overnight + 1 hour
Baking Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 10 hours
Calories per serving: Approximately 340 kcal
Variations
- Nutty addition: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling for extra crunch.
- Fruit swirl: Incorporate raisins or chopped dates into the filling.
- Extra chai flavor: Add a pinch of ground ginger or allspice to the frosting for deeper spice.
- Lighter version: Use light cream cheese and reduce the sugar slightly in the frosting.
- Mini loaves: Divide dough among small loaf pans for individual servings.
Storage/Reheating
Store any leftover cinnamon roll bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm slices in the microwave for about 15–20 seconds or in a low oven until just heated through. Avoid overheating to preserve the soft texture. The frosting may be applied after reheating if preferred.
FAQs
Can I prepare the dough and bake it the same day?
Yes, but allow the dough to rise for 1–2 hours at room temperature before proceeding with shaping and baking.
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes, you can substitute it in equal amounts and skip the proofing step—just mix it directly with the dry ingredients.
Why does the dough need to be refrigerated overnight?
The overnight rest develops flavor and allows for a more manageable dough, perfect for morning baking.
Can I use a stand mixer?
Yes, use the dough hook attachment to knead for 5–6 minutes until smooth and elastic.
What if I don’t have cardamom or cloves?
You can substitute with pumpkin pie spice or increase the cinnamon slightly for a similar warm flavor.
Can this be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze the baked (and unfrosted) loaf. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat before frosting and serving.
How do I know when the bread is fully baked?
The top should be golden and the center should no longer feel doughy. You can check with a thermometer—an internal temperature of 190°F (88°C) indicates it’s done.
Can I make this without cream cheese?
Yes, substitute the frosting with a simple glaze of powdered sugar, milk, and spices.
How thick should I roll the dough?
Aim for about 1/4 inch thickness for an even spiral and good rise in the loaf.
Is this recipe beginner-friendly?
Absolutely. The steps are simple, and the overnight proofing makes it forgiving and easy to manage.
Conclusion
Overnight Cinnamon Roll Bread with Chai Frosting is a show-stopping, comforting treat that blends the magic of cinnamon rolls with the elegance of a spiced breakfast loaf. The make-ahead dough and rich chai-spiced frosting make it perfect for relaxed mornings or festive occasions. From its soft, pull-apart layers to the warming blend of spices, this bread is sure to become a cherished recipe in your baking rotation.
PrintOvernight Cinnamon Roll Bread with Chai Frosting
This Overnight Cinnamon Roll Bread with Chai Frosting combines the gooey, spiced swirls of classic cinnamon rolls with the simplicity of a pull-apart loaf. Perfect for cozy mornings or festive brunches, it’s topped with a chai cream cheese glaze that’s warm, fragrant, and irresistibly sweet. #cinnamonrollbread #overnightbread #chaifrosting #holidaybaking #comfortbaking
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Rise Time: 8 hours + 1 hour
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: ~10 hours
- Yield: 8 slices
- Category: Breakfast / Brunch / Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Dough:
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2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
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1/4 cup granulated sugar
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
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1/2 cup warm milk (110°F / 43°C)
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1 large egg
-
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Cinnamon Filling:
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1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
-
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
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1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
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2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
For the Chai Frosting:
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4 oz cream cheese, softened
-
1/2 cup powdered sugar
-
2 tablespoons milk
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1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
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1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
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1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
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In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, and yeast.
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Add warm milk, egg, and melted butter. Mix until a sticky dough forms. Knead for 5–6 minutes until smooth and elastic.
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Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
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In the morning, roll dough into a rectangle. Spread with softened butter and sprinkle evenly with the cinnamon, brown sugar, and nutmeg mixture.
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Roll tightly, slice, and layer the pieces into a greased loaf pan. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 45–60 minutes.
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 30–35 minutes until golden and fully cooked.
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While the bread cools slightly, make the chai frosting: mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon until smooth.
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Drizzle generously over the warm bread. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
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For a quicker version, let the dough rise for 1–2 hours on the same day instead of overnight.
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Best enjoyed warm. Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat gently before serving.
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You can adjust the chai spice blend to taste—add ginger or more cinnamon for extra warmth.