Cinnamon rolls are a beloved breakfast treat enjoyed by many. Their sweet dough, gooey cinnamon swirl filling, and sweet glaze make them an irresistible morning indulgence. But what if you bake a batch of cinnamon rolls and don’t eat them all right away? Can leftover cinnamon rolls be safely left out on the counter overnight?
Quick Answer
It is not recommended to leave cinnamon rolls or other baked goods containing dairy and eggs out at room temperature overnight. Cinnamon rolls left out overnight can develop bacteria that cause foodborne illness. Baked goods with perishable fillings and frostings should be refrigerated within 2 hours and eaten within 3-5 days for optimal freshness and safety.
Explaining Why Cinnamon Rolls Are Unsafe When Left Out Overnight
There are a few reasons why cinnamon rolls and other similar baked goods cannot be safely left out at room temperature overnight:
- They contain dairy products like milk, butter, cream cheese or sour cream that can spoil.
- Eggs used in the dough also increase the risk of bacteria growth.
- The high moisture content of the dough creates an environment for bacteria like staphylococcus aureus to multiply quickly.
- The warm room temperature also accelerates bacteria growth.
- The creamy filling provides additional food for bacteria.
Collectively, the ingredients and conditions make cinnamon rolls prone to rapid bacteria growth if left overnight outside the refrigerator. The danger zone for bacterial growth is between 40°F and 140°F. Leaving cinnamon rolls out on the counter overnight puts them right in the heart of the danger zone.
Common Foodborne Bacteria in Cinnamon Rolls
Here are some of the most common bacteria that can grow in cinnamon rolls left out overnight:
- Staphylococcus aureus – This bacteria comes from people’s skin, mouth, and noses and can get into food during preparation and handling. It produces toxins as it multiplies that cause vomiting and diarrhea.
- Bacillus cereus – Spores of this bacteria can survive baking. The spores produce toxins as they grow in cooked foods left at room temperature that cause vomiting and diarrhea.
- Salmonella – Raw eggs used in dough can harbor this bacteria. Salmonella causes diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.
- E. coli – Some strains of this bacteria produce Shiga toxin that causes severe illness. It can contaminate dough from contaminated flour.
- Clostridium perfringens – This bacteria forms spores that survive baking. It grows rapidly in cooked foods left out too long and causes diarrhea.
How Long Does it Take Bacteria to Grow in Cinnamon Rolls Overnight?
Bacteria follows an exponential growth curve when conditions are favorable. This means that bacteria populations start small but double at regular intervals if given the right environment.
Most foodborne pathogens take anywhere from 1-7 hours to double their populations given the right temperature conditions. Here is a rough timeline of how quickly bacteria can multiply on perishable foods like cinnamon rolls left out overnight:
- 1 hour – The bacteria population has doubled and toxins begin forming.
- 3 hours – There are 8 times more bacteria compared to the starting amount.
- 5 hours – The bacteria population has increased by 32 times.
- 7 hours – Bacteria numbers are 128 times higher and likely high enough to cause foodborne illness.
- 10 hours – The bacteria population has reached over 1,000 times the initial level.
As you can see, bacteria grows exponentially when given the chance. Leaving cinnamon rolls out for 8+ hours allows bacteria loads to reach dangerous levels.
What Temperature Should Cinnamon Rolls be Kept at for Safety?
To prevent foodborne bacteria from multiplying, baked goods like cinnamon rolls should be kept out of the temperature danger zone of 40°F – 140°F. Here are the recommended safe temperatures for storing cinnamon rolls:
- Room temperature – no more than 2 hours
- Refrigerator – store at 40°F or below
- Freezer – 0°F or below for long term storage
The refrigeration temperature of 40°F or below effectively stops bacteria growth on cinnamon rolls. Freezing stops most bacteria growth but may impact quality over time.
Can Cinnamon Rolls be Left Out if Iced or Frosted?
Cinnamon rolls with dairy-based icings and frostings should not be left out any longer than 2 hours before refrigerating. The creamy toppings provide even more food for bacteria. Additionally, icing and frosting help seal in moisture further encouraging bacteria growth.
If enjoying iced or frosted cinnamon rolls, only leave them out for up to 2 hours. Then cover and refrigerate any leftovers. Do not leave iced or frosted cinnamon rolls out overnight.
How to Store Cinnamon Rolls Safely
Follow these tips for safely storing leftover cinnamon rolls:
- Allow rolls to cool completely before storing.
- Place rolls in a sealed container or bag.
- Refrigerate within 2 hours of baking or removing from oven.
- Consume refrigerated rolls within 3-5 days.
- For longer storage, place in freezer bag and freeze for 2-3 months.
- When ready to eat frozen rolls, thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Proper storage stops bacteria growth and maintains cinnamon roll freshness and texture.
Can Cinnamon Rolls be Refrozen?
It is safe to refreeze cinnamon rolls if they were stored properly the first time. Follow these guidelines for refreezing:
- Refreeze rolls within 3-5 days to maintain quality.
- Make sure rolls were kept at 40°F or below when initially refrigerated.
- Do not refreeze rolls left out for over 2 hours at room temperature.
- When thawing again, do so in the refrigerator, not on the counter.
- Consume within 24 hours after thawing.
As long as the cold chain wasn’t broken, cinnamon rolls that were previously frozen can be safely frozen again for storage.
Can You Eat Cinnamon Rolls Left Out Overnight?
It is risky and not recommended to eat cinnamon rolls that have been left out overnight. The potential for bacteria growth is very high. There is no way to determine if dangerous levels of bacteria are present just by looking, tasting, or smelling.
What are the Signs of Spoiled Cinnamon Rolls?
While not foolproof indicators, here are some signs of spoiled cinnamon rolls you should look for:
- Dry, cracked, or sunken dough
- Mold growth
- Strange odors
- Discolored or slimy icing
- Ropy texture when icing is touched
However, dangerous bacteria can be present even without obvious signs of spoilage. When in doubt, throw it out.
Can You Microwave Cinnamon Rolls Left Out to Make Them Safe?
No, microwave heating does not make cinnamon rolls left overnight safe to eat. Some bacteria produce toxins that are not destroyed by reheating in the microwave. The metabolism of bacteria may even be spurred on by microwave heat. It’s best to discard cinnamon rolls that were improperly stored.
Who is Most at Risk from Eating Spoiled Cinnamon Rolls?
While eating spoiled cinnamon rolls is unsafe for anyone, certain groups are at higher risk for severe illness if exposed to foodborne bacteria:
- Young children
- Older adults
- Pregnant women
- Those with compromised immune systems
- People with chronic diseases like diabetes or kidney failure
These populations should be extra careful about consuming baked goods that were left in the temperature danger zone for too long. When serving cinnamon rolls to high-risk groups, safety should be the top priority.
Conclusion
Cinnamon rolls and other sweet bakery treats tempt us to indulge morning, noon, and night. But these perishable items require proper storage between baking, eating, and saving some for later. Leaving cinnamon rolls out on the counter overnight allows bacteria to grow to dangerous levels that can cause foodborne illness.
To keep leftover cinnamon rolls safe and fresh, they must be refrigerated within 2 hours after baking and eaten within 3-5 days. Freezing also pauses bacteria growth for longer term storage. With proper handling, delicious cinnamon rolls can be enjoyed without the risk of unwanted bacteria ruining the experience.