The holidays are here, and I have time off from my job, so I decided to do a lot of baking! We are having brunch at my parents house on Thanksgiving and then off to the in-laws for turkey dinner. So, I don’t have to host, but I still have a lot to make!
I have always wanted to make homemade cinnamon rolls, so that is exactly what I am going to make for brunch. I don’t get to eat them often…but when I do I always think “These are soooooooo good I need to eat these more often!!!” However, this isn’t the quickest of recipes because you are dealing with yeast and the dough needs to rise, however the time you put in will be well worth it!!
The best cinnamon roll I have ever had is at Gaston’s Tavern at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. They are the BEST! If you have never been, you have to go there. They are gigantic! We normally split one between two people, but honestly I could eat one all to myself. Unfortunately, we are not going to Disney World anytime soon, so I wanted to bring Gaston’s Cinnamon Rolls to me! I did a lot of research for Cinnamon Rolls and came across a copycat recipe for Gaston’s Tavern Cinnamon Rolls from a blog called Crafted From The Kingdom and I am so excited to try them!!!
TIP – Want to make mini cinnamon rolls? Cut the recipe in half! This will give you less dough to roll out, resulting in smaller cinnamon rolls! Bake at the same 375 degrees and 20 minutes!!
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 1/2 Cups Milk
- 1/2 Cup Butter
- 6 1/2 Cups All Purpose Flour Divided (For Gluten Free swap out the flour for Gluten Free flour – make sure it say 1 to 1 ratio!!)
- 2 Packets Rapid Rise Yeast .25 oz Packets
- 1/2 Cup Sugar
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 Cup water
- 2 Large Eggs
- 1/4 Cup Melted Butter
Filling
- 2 Cups Brown Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Cinnamon
- 1 Cup Butter Softened
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 8 oz Pack Cream Cheese
- 1/4 Cup Butter
- 4 Cups powdered sugar
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla
- 3 Tablespoons heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- In a saucepan, put the milk and butter together and turn burner on low until melted.
- Remove from heat once the butter has melted, and allow to cool slightly.
- In your stand mixer, with the mixing blade, add 2 1/2 cups of flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Mix together
- Add your water and eggs, as well as the warm butter/milk. Mix well.
- Add the remaining flour (4 cups) 1/2 cup at a time. When the dough starts to form a ball, it’s ready!
- remove mixing blade and attach a dough hook
- Mix for 5 minutes
- Once the dough is ready, transfer to another bowl that is lightly floured, and start working on the filling
- In your stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and softened butter.
- Roll out the dough as wide as you can.
- Spread the filling evenly going all the way to the edges
- Starting at a short end, roll the dough.
- If you want smaller Cinnamon rolls, cut the dough in half before you roll it up!
- Cut the dough to the size you want. The bigger you want, the farther apart you cut!
- Place the rolls, swirl down, in a greased 9×13 pan.
- Preheat your oven to 375 Degrees F. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Then cover loosely with foil and bake another 10 minutes.
- Melt 1/4 cup butter and drizzle over the rolls
- Make your frosting while the rolls are baking.
- When your rolls are ready, spread on the frosting!
Recipe
The Best Cinnamon Rolls
Notes
Make sure your cream cheese for the frosting is room temperature or it will be chunky!
Store frosting in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
This recipe was modified from Gaston’s Tavern Giant Cinnamon Rolls from the blog Crafted From The Kingdom
Ingredients
- Dough
- 1 1/2 Cups Milk
- 1/2 Cup Butter
- 6 1/2 Cups All Purpose Flour Divided (For Gluten Free, swap out the flour for 1 for 1 Gluten Free Flour)
- 2 Packets Rapid Rise Yeast
- 1/2 Cup Sugar
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 Cup water
- 2 Large Eggs
- 1/4 Cup Melted Butter
- Filling
- 2 Cups Brown Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Cinnamon
- 1 Cup Butter Softened
- Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 8 oz Pack Cream Cheese
- 1/4 Cup Butter
- 3-4 Cups powdered sugar
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla
- 3 Tablespoons heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- In a saucepan, put the milk and butter together and turn burner on low until melted.
- Remove from heat once the butter has melted, and allow to cool slightly.
- In your stand mixer, with the mixing blade, add 2 1/2 cups of flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Mix together
- Add your water and eggs, as well as the warm butter/milk. Mix well.
- Add the remaining flour (4 cups) 1/2 cup at a time. When the dough starts to form a ball, it’s ready!
- remove mixing blade and attach a dough hook
- Mix for 5 minutes
- Once the dough is ready, transfer to another bowl that is lightly floured, and start working on the filling
- In your stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and softened butter.
- Roll out the dough as wide as you can.
- Spread the filling evenly going all the way to the edges
- Starting at a short end, roll the dough.
- Cut the dough to the size you want. The bigger you want, the farther apart you cut!
- Place the rolls, swirl down, in a greased 9×13 pan.
- Melt 1/4 cup butter and drizzle over the rolls
- Preheat your oven to 375 Degrees F. Bake for 20 minutes. Then cover loosely with foil and bake another 10 minutes.
- Make your frosting while the rolls are baking.
- In your stand mixer with the paddle attachment mix the cream cheese and the butter. Make sure both are at room temperature
- Add the vanilla
- Mix in the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time and alternate with adding the heavy whipping cream. If you want thicker frosting add more powdered sugar!
- Enjoy!
I hope you have or will go to Gaston’s Tavern to taste these amazing Cinnamon Rolls. In the meantime, Make these Cinnamon Rolls!!!
Need a Gluten Free Version? Swap out the Flour for Gluten Free Flour!
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These were by far the easiest and BEST EVER Cinnamon rolls We couldn’t eat them all so I wrapped them in plastic wrap and froze them them took them out and let stand about one hour , then microwave them for one minute. Oulala yummy
I am so glad you liked them and found them easy to make!
These came out so good! I made these for my family and friends and they were a hit. They couldn’t believe how rich and BIG they were! Thank you! These are going to be my go-to food for every future party and celebration!!
Glad to hear it! I just made a batch for tomorrow morning!!
These truly were the best cinnamon rolls I’ve ever had! My family devoured them in no time at all! Thank you so very much for sharing this recipe. This recipe is going to stay in our family for many years to come.
I’m so happy you loved them!
Was just wondering if I needed to let this dough sit for any period of time!
Thanks!
Hey Lauren! I only let it sit for the time it takes me to make the filling! I hope that helps
Made these with my granddaughter today, they are amazing!!! We will definitely make them again!
Can I make these the night before and just stick in the oven in the morning??
Yes, absolutely!!
How would the recipe change with active dry yeast?
I have used both. You would just need to let them rise longer 😃
Should I adjust the amount or leave it the same?
Do you need to let the dough rise for a period of time or just mix, roll and bake?
Hello! I let it rise for 20-30 minutes while I make the filling!
I’m making these this morning and I only have active dry yeast. Should I use 25% extra? Or use the same amount the recipe calls for and let them rise longer? If I need to use extra, how much would it be?
Hi. Just use the same amount and let rise a little longer.
Hi! I was wondering what type of salt to use, the usual fine grain table salt or coarse salt? Thanks!
Table salt! 😊