Recipe: Awesome Cinnamon Rolls

Awesome Cinnamon Rolls
rec.food.baking/Harriet (luv2bake)
Makes 15 rolls

Here is a recipe shared with me by my friend Beth. These cinnamon rolls are as good as---if not better than Cinnabons. Even though the recipes says that it yields 15... every time (and there have been many times) I have made them it has yielded at least twice that many.

ROLLS:
1/2 cup warm water (110-125 degrees)
2 packages dry yeast
2 tablespoons sugar
3 1/2 ounce pkg. instant vanilla pudding mix
1/2 cup butter or margarine (melted)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon salt
7-8 cups flour
1 cup butter or margarine (softened)
2 cups brown sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon

In a small bowl combine water, yeast and sugar. Stir until dissolved. Set aside. In large bowl, take pudding mix and prepare according to package directions. Add 1/2 cup butter or margarine, eggs and salt. Mix well. Then add yeast mixture. Blend. Gradually add flour; knead until smooth. Place in a large greased bowl. Cover and let rise until doubled. Punch down dough and let rise again. Then roll out on floured board to 34 x 21-inch size. Take 1 cup soft butter or margarine and spread over surface. In small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together. Sprinkle over top of butter. Starting with 34 inch side, roll up very tightly. With knife, put a notch ever 2-inches. Cut with thread or knife. Place on lightly greased cookie sheet 2-inches apart. Take hand and lightly press down on each roll. Cover and let rise until double again. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Take out when they start to turn golden. DON'T OVER BAKE.

Frost warm rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
8 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)
1/2 cup margarine or butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 lb box confectioner's sugar
1 tablespoon milk

In large bowl, mix cream cheese, margarine, and vanilla together until creamy. Gradually add the confectioner's sugar. After all sugar is incorporated, add milk. Beat until smooth.