A cinnamon roll is a deliciously sweet, spiced roll, commonly eaten in North America and Northern Europe. All you need to do is pour over a little frosting and enjoy one or two with a cup of tea or coffee. However, it does take a little time to make the dough so why not make extra and freeze some?
You can either freeze the dough itself (see also Can You Freeze Gingerbread Dough?) or you can par-bake the rolls and then freeze them. We actually think they taste better if they are frozen before being baked, but it is totally up to you. In this article, we will tell you how to freeze cinnamon rolls and how to defrost them (See also Can You Freeze Crescent Rolls?).
How to Freeze Par-Baked Cinnamon Rolls
This can be a tricky process as you have to take the rolls out of the oven at the right time. You will have to keep an eye on them during the cooking process.
These are the steps to follow:
1. Prepare
Make the cinnamon dough according to the recipe that you like best.
2. Par-Bake the Cinnamon Rolls
Once the dough has risen, divide it into rolls. Preheat the oven to 350 F and put in the rolls. Bake them for between ten and fifteen minutes. You will want them to start to rise but you don’t want them to start going brown.
3. Cool down the cinnamon rolls
You need to put the cinnamon rolls on a different tray so that they cool down quickly. You don’t want to put warm food into the freezer as it can bring up the temperature allowing other food to start to defrost. This could allow bacteria to form in certain foods and in others, the taste and texture will change.
4. Wrap up the cinnamon rolls
It is important that air doesn’t get into your cinnamon rolls otherwise freezer burn may occur, and this will change the taste and texture of your food. They just won’t be as tasty even though they will still be safe to eat. The best thing to do is to wrap them individually in two layers of cling film and then a layer of aluminum foil. It is advisable to wrap them individually so that they don’t stick together, and you can just take out as many as you are going to eat.
5. Put the cinnamon rolls in freezer bags
Squeeze out as much air as you can to stop freezer burn. Put a label on each bag with the date you put them in the freezer. You don’t want to keep them in the freezer for longer than you should.
6. Put the bags in the freezer
How To Freeze Cinnamon Roll Dough
1. Make the dough
Once you have made the dough, shape it into individual rolls.
2. Wrap the dough rolls
Wrap the dough rolls individually in two layers of cling film.
3. Flash freeze
Put the rolls on a baking tray and freeze for a couple of hours. Make sure that they are not touching each other so that they don’t stick together. The reason for flash freezing the dough is so that the rolls keep their shape.
4. Put the rolls in freezer bags
Squeeze out all the air you can and put on labels with the date you put them in the freezer.
5. Freeze again
Tips For Freezing Cinnamon Rolls
- If you can, freeze your cinnamon rolls uncooked as they will taste better (see also How To Freeze Danish Pastries).
- Make sure that you wrap them in cling film and put them in an airtight freezer bag so that they don’t get freezer burn. You could also freeze them in an airtight container.
- If you haven’t got much time, just cover the baking pan in a few layers of cling film and put it in the freezer. Make sure that the cling film is secure to avoid freezer burn.
For How Long Can You Freeze Cinnamon Rolls?
Cinnamon rolls, like most dough products, don’t freeze for too long (see also Can You Freeze Baklava?). You can keep them in the freezer for between six and eight weeks. After this time, the rolls will start to lose taste and texture.
How Do You Defrost Cinnamon Rolls?
The best way to defrost cinnamon rolls is to defrost them in the fridge overnight. Then pop them in the oven. Unbaked cinnamon rolls will take between twenty and thirty minutes to cook. Par-baked cinnamon rolls will take less time, probably around fifteen minutes.
Can You Refreeze Cinnamon Rolls?
No, you shouldn’t refreeze cinnamon rolls. It isn’t that they will be unsafe to eat, but they will lose taste and texture. Just take out as many as you want to eat. Or treat yourself and eat more!
Is it a Good Idea to Freeze Cinnamon Rolls?
Yes, it is a good idea to freeze cinnamon rolls, as long as you follow our instructions. If you do, you will get excellent results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hopefully, we have answered all your questions about freezing cinnamon rolls, but in case you want to know more about cinnamon rolls or cinnamon, we have answered a couple of questions here.
Are there any interesting toppings I could put on my defrosted and baked cinnamon rolls?
Cinnamon rolls are great on their own, but there are lots of tasty toppings you can add instead of just frosting. For example, you could add maple syrup and bacon, peanut butter and jelly, pistachio and pomegranate, or caramel and pecan.
Can I freeze cinnamon sticks and ground cinnamon?
There is no need to freeze either cinnamon sticks or ground cinnamon as they have a long shelf life at room temperature. Cinnamon sticks will keep their flavor for between two and three years, while ground cinnamon has a lifespan of one to two years. Don’t bother wasting valuable freezer space on either of these items.
In fact, the condensation in a fridge or freezer may cause more damage than good to both cinnamon sticks and ground cinnamon. It is a good idea to store both in a dark and cool place like the pantry.
