You can store cinnamon rolls at room temperature or in the fridge and freezer to prolong their shelf life. But, if your cinnamon rolls dry out or grow mold way before the expiry date, you need to check on how you prepare them for storage. While they need both air and moisture to retain freshness, overexposure can also lead to spoilage.
Once you bake cinnamon rolls, allow them to cool completely before storing as the steam can cause mold growth due to excess moisture. Put them in an airtight container to prevent them from drying out then store them in the fridge for 5-7 days.
How Do You Store Cinnamon Rolls to Keep them Fresh?
You can keep your cinnamon rolls fresh in the fridge or freezer for long-term storage. Also, you can just place the rolls in a bread basket on your kitchen counter away from moisture and direct sunlight for not more than three days.
Here are three methods on how to safely store cinnamon rolls;
Storing at Room Temperatures
Storing your cinnamon rolls at room temperature is the most straightforward storage method.
After cooling off, wrap them with aluminum foil and place them in a bread basket on the kitchen counter away from heat and moisture. Stored this way, cinnamon rolls will remain fresh for up to three days. Besides the aluminum foil, you can put your cooled cinnamon rolls in an airtight container or ziplock bag to lock in moisture hence retaining the freshness.
Storing using a Refrigerator
Storing cinnamon rolls in the fridge is no different from the method above, simply put the rolls in an airtight container or wrap them with a plastic bag and put them in the fridge. cinnamon will retain the freshness in the fridge for up to 7 days. Keeping them in the fridge for too long will only lead to dehydration. If you are storing baked cinnamon rolls with icing, it is normal for the icing to harden but once you thaw it goes back to its original state.
Though the fridge allows you to achieve a longer shelf life and make the rolls easy to thaw, if you don’t wrap them correctly they might get too dry.
Storing in a Freezer
Freezing will definitely max out the shelf life of your baked cinnamon rolls. Since my children love cinnamon rolls, I just bake them in bulk and stock them in the freezer. I bake enough to last them for a month and I can tell you for sure the rolls taste so fresh when I thaw.
To get moist and freshly tasting cinnamon rolls, wrap them individually with plastic paper, put them in a zip lock bag, and remove all air inside before sealing tightly. You can also put them in an airtight container and then put them in the freezer.
If the rolls have icing, wrap the foil or plastic around them as if you are cupping them to prevent cracking and keep them intact then put them in an airtight container.
Frozen this way, cinnamon rolls can keep fresh in the freezer for up to 30 days.
Do Cinnabon Rolls Need to be Refrigerated?
Cinnabon rolls don’t need refrigeration; they retain their freshness better at room temperature for a maximum of 2 days. In case you want to prolong their shelf life freezing is recommended as refrigeration tends to dry them out.
Storing Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
Due to the powdered sugar in the frosting which serves as a preservative, cinnamon rolls with cheese frosting can stay fresh at room temperature. Wrap the rolls, place them in an airtight container, and leave them at room temperature for two days.
You can prolong their shelf life by placing them in a refrigerator to keep them fresh for up to seven days.
Can You Reheat Cinnamon Rolls?
You can reheat cinnamon rolls either in the oven or microwave depending on the quantity. To save on power, a microwave is ideal for reheating a single or two cinnamon rolls and the oven for a pan full of cinnamon rolls.
When using the microwave, place the cinnamon roll on a microwave plate, cover it with a damp paper towel to retain moisture while warming up then Put it in the microwave. Warm for 30 secs then check that it doesn’t overheat as too much heat will cause it to dry up.
If you are reheating cinnamon rolls in bulk, preheat the oven to 300°F, put the rolls in a pan then sprinkle them with little water to retain moisture while reheating. Put them in the oven for 10-15 minutes until you achieve your desired temperature.