Lyndsay is a huge fan of all things Disney, and she enjoys finding ways to incorporate its magic in everything from crafts to recipes.

Best-Ever Cinnamon Rolls!

Have you ever gone to Disneyland and saw those giant gooey cinnamon rolls? Have you ever tried one? I have, and they are super delicious. I usually share one because they are so big and so I don't feel bad about eating the whole thing by myself.

Anyway, I think there is nothing better in the fall (or really anytime of year) than waking up to some fresh-made cinnamon rolls. I mean, the smell of cinnamon and that delicious sweet frosting is enough to put anyone in a good mood. Lately, the mornings here in SoCal have been nice and cold and gloomy, which is perfect for cinnamon rolls! I always like mine with a nice cup of coffee—which at this time of year is usually something like pumpkin or hazelnut flavored.

Cook Time

Ingredients for the Cinnamon Rolls

• 1/2 cup warm water
• 2 packages yeast
• 2 tbsp. sugar
• 1 package instant vanilla pudding
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 tsp salt
• 8 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 2 tbsp cinnamon

Ingredients for the Icing

• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/2 cup butter unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tbs. milk

Step 1: Make the Cinnamon Rolls

1. In a small bowl mix water, yeast, and sugar.
2. Stir until dissolved and set aside.

3. In a large bowl, mix pudding according to package instructions with the milk.

4. Add 1/2 cup melted butter, eggs, and salt into pudding. Mix well and then add yeast to mixture. Blend well.

5. Gradually add flour and knead until smooth.

6. Place the dough in a very large greased bowl.

7. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in sized.

8. Punch down the dough and let rise again.

9. Roll dough on a very large floured surface.

10. Dough should roll out to a long rectangle, about 34 x 21 inches in size.

11. Take the one cup of melted butter and use a pastry brush to brush over entire dough surface.

12. In a small bowl, mix together the cinnamon and the brown sugar.

13. Sprinkle mixture on top of dough.

14. Roll dough up like a jelly roll.

15. Measure dough every 2 inches and cut with a knife.

16. Take each roll in the palm of your hand and gently pack the roll so it doesn't come apart while baking.

17. Place each roll in a buttered baking dish and allow to rise in a warm place, about 20 minutes.

18. Bake at 350 for about 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

19. Make the icing (see instructions below).

Step 2: Make the Icing

1. In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and mix until smooth.
2. Frost rolls while they are warm.

Just a Few Tips!

• It will take a while for the dough to rise. It took about an hour and a half the first time and about 30 minutes the second time. I recommend doing other things while you wait. I was working on homework in the morning while I waited for it to rise.
• I also recommend making the icing last. I made it once the rolls were in the oven. This way it is nice and fresh and ready to go.
• I had a bunch of things happen to me in the kitchen (such as a shelf breaking on me) including my rolling pin to go missing. Instead, I used a large Mason jar to roll out the dough.
• If you don't need to make a full batch, you can easily halve this recipe! That is what I did and they came out great.

I hope you all enjoy this recipe! It is somewhat labor intensive, but it is not a hard recipe to make—there are just a good amount of steps. Honestly though, these are the best cinnamon rolls I have ever had (even better than the park). Nothing to me says fall more than eating a warm gooey fresh cinnamon roll while drinking coffee on a cool gloomy morning. Happy fall, y'all!

Comments

Sp Greaney from Ireland on July 07, 2020:

These turned out great. Really good instructions too.