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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!

overhead photo of Easiest Overnight Eggnog Brioche Cinnamon Rolls

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!

brioche dough

Easiest Overnight Eggnog Brioche Cinnamon Roll dough log

side angle photo of Easiest Overnight Eggnog Brioche Cinnamon Rolls before baking

Easiest Overnight Eggnog Brioche Cinnamon Rolls before baking

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.

Easiest Overnight Eggnog Brioche Cinnamon Rolls after baking

close up photo of Easiest Overnight Eggnog Brioche Cinnamon Rolls after baking

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).

side angle photo of Easiest Overnight Eggnog Brioche Cinnamon Rolls

overhead close up photo of Easiest Overnight Eggnog Brioche Cinnamon Rolls

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!

side angle photo of Easiest Overnight Eggnog Brioche Cinnamon Roll out of pan

Easiest Overnight Eggnog Brioche Cinnamon Rolls

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

Author: Tieghan Gerard
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
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.

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Ingredients

Filling

Frosting

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 9x13 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.
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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I love eggnog (I freeze a carton after Christmas for baking!), so had to try these. We loved your Apple cinnamon buns in the fall so I knew that we liked your dough. These are excellent … we are enjoying them now as a New Year’s Day treat!

    I Often “wing it” with the icing … this time I had a bit of your maple brown butter icing in the freezer (made too much last time and hate to waste) … added some eggnog and icing sugar. Yummy.

    Reply

    1. Hey Sonya,
      Awesome! I love to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a go! Happy New Year!? xTieghan

      Reply

  2. 5 stars
    I didn’t have any cream cheese so I used a stick of butter (browned), 1 1/4 C powdered sugar, 2 tsp vanilla powder and whisked in cream until the right consistency. It is beautiful with some flaky salt. I haven’t taken them out of the oven yet but the dough was glorious!

    Reply

      2. Hey Tieghan! So excited to try these, but I have a quick question. How long can I leave these in the fridge without risking them not turning out right? Is 24-36 hours too much??

        Thanks so much!

        Reply

        1. Hey Maleeha,
          That should be totally fine for you to do! I hope this recipe turns out amazing for you, let me know if you have any other questions! xx

          Reply

  3. 5 stars
    Made two batches of these ahead of time and froze them for a week. The families LOVED them said they’re the best they’ve had! I did add some pecans to the filling and added more cream cheese to the frosting! Will definitely be making this recipe again next year!

    Reply

  6. 5 stars
    These cinnamon rolls are to die for!! I made them for Christmas morning last year for the first time and it’s now going to be a tradition. They’re delicious and so easy to make.

    Reply

    1. Katie – mine didn’t look like it rose much at all, but I went ahead because I didn’t want to wait. They were amazing!! Hope it worked out for you 🙂

      Reply

    2. Hi Katie,
      Sorry to hear this! What kind of yeast did you use? Is it in a warm spot in your kitchen? Let me know how I can help! xTieghan

      Reply

    2. Hey Lauren,
      Sure, you can freeze after step 4. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan

      Reply

    1. Hey Marissia,
      Yes, that will work well for you! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan

      Reply

  10. I am so excited to make these eggnog cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning, but one of my kiddos really doesn’t like cream cheese frosting on their cinnamon rolls. Is there a way to modify this frosting, or do I need to find a different frosting recipe? Thank you so much!!

    Reply

      1. Thank you so much, Tieghan! I appreciate you taking the time during Christmas week to answer. I will absolutely try this recipe – thank you!! And a very Merry Christmas to you!! ???

        Reply

  11. Hi! So excited to make these for Christmas morning! How far in advance can I make these and store in the refrigerator (without cooking)?

    xx,
    Lauren

    Reply

    1. Hi Lauren,
      Please follow the make ahead instructions listed above for 1 day in advance. I hope you love the recipe and Merry Christmas! xTieghan

      Reply

  12. 5 stars
    Tieghan! I make this every year and love them. Quick question – how far in advance do you think I can whip these up? I usually make the dough xmas eve night and let rise overnight before baking xmas morning, but I’d love to get ahead of things if I can – either by leaving in the fridge or freezing. Let me know what you think – thanks!

    Reply

    1. Hey Jen,
      Thank you so very much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! You could make 2 days in advance. Happy Holidays!??

      Reply

    1. Hi Amy,
      Sure, that will work well for you. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan

      Reply

      1. 5 stars
        I ended up buying very high quality local eggnog. These were amazing!! Usually yeast doughs feel intimidating, but this dough was so easy to work with. Thank you and Happy Holidays!

        Reply

  14. Hi Tieghan!

    I’ll be making these Christmas Eve with my family to have for breakfast on Christmas morning and I am SO excited! I have a few questions for you if you don’t mind! I was comparing this to your Brioche Gingerbread Cinnamon rolls because I am deciding between those or these Eggnog Brioche Cinnamon rolls and noticed a few differences. For the Eggnog rolls you recommend Instant Dry Yeast and for the Gingerbread rolls you recommend RapidRise Yeast. Are they both the same or is there a reason you chose two different ones for each recipe? Last quick question on the Eggnog. Would Eggnog from Trader Joe’s be ok or is there a brand you recommend? In regards to warming the eggnog, how long do you warm it over the stove? Just want to make sure I don’t slightly burn it! Sorry for all the questions really appreciate your help! Happy Holidays! 🙂

    Reply

    1. Hi Nia,
      Both are great options! Instant and rapid rise are the same thing, just different names:) I don’t have a Trader Joe’s near me, so I am not familiar with their eggnog, I am sure it is totally fine to use! Just warm the eggnog through, it shouldn’t be too hot. I hope you love the recipes! xTieghan

      Reply

  15. Hi! I love your recipes and have made this one before with my mom, who has a stand mixer. I wanted to make them again but don’t have a stand mixer of my own – any tips on making this recipe by hand?

    Thank you!

    Reply

    1. Hi Eleanore,
      Thanks so much for trying this recipe out, I am thrilled to hear that it was enjoyed. Just mix with a wooden spoon and knead by hand:) Happy Holidays! xTieghan

      Reply