Recipe: Cinnamon Rolls from Disneyland

Hi Rachel, This is the recipe I received from a former pastry chef at Disneyland. He used to work for the college I worked at.

CINNAMON ROLLS

1/2 cup warm water
2 packages yeast
2 tablespoons sugar
1 (3 1/2 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, melted, divided use
2 large eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon salt
8 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups brown sugar
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe follows)

In small bowl, combine 1/2 cup warm water, yeast, and sugar. Stir until dissolved. Set aside.

In large bowl, mix pudding according to package instructions with the 2 cups milk. To this add 1/2 cup melted butter, egg and salt. Mix well, then add yeast mixture and blend well.

Gradually add flour (use just enough to make a workable dough) and knead until smooth. Place in a very large greased bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm place until double in size.

Punch down and let rise again for second time.

Roll dough on a very large floured surface. Dough should roll out to a long rectangle, about (34x21-inches in size. Take the remaining 1 cup of melted butter and spread over entire dough surface, using a pastry brush.

In small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle over top of buttered dough. Roll dough up like a jelly roll. Measure dough every 2-inches and cut with a knife. Take each roll into the palm of your hand and gently pack the roll (this keeps it from coming apart during baking). Place each roll in a buttered baking pan and allow to rise in a warm place for about 20 minutes.

Bake in a preheated 350 oven until golden brown in color, about 15-20 minutes. Frost rolls while still warm.

Since we are going to cheat, let's go all the way with the frosting. I know your children will love this production.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened (room temperature)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoon milk

In mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and mix until smooth. Spread on the very warm rolls. Enjoy!