I don’t pay much attention to yeast bread recipes when I see them online because I don’t have the greatest luck with them. I have accepted over time that my dear mother didn’t pass the bread baking gene to me along with the wonderful baking and cooking recipes and techniques that she did bless me with. But when I saw this recipe for vanilla pudding cinnamon rolls on Pinterest with a scrumptious photo to go along with it I decided it was time to give yeast dough another try. This recipe is from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe and is a post from way back in 2008. Who could resist Mel’s description of these delectable rolls – “ I am in love with these cinnamon rolls. The dough is so extremely tender and soft, it will blow your mind, and the cream cheese goodness of the frosting is beyond delicious. The filling is made up of brown sugar and cinnamon and it gives a great richness to the standard cinnamon and white sugar combo. Oh my, these really are so good.” I can’t say it any better than that.
- ROLLS:
- ½ cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 3-1/2 ounce package instant vanilla pudding
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 6+ cups flour
- FILLING:
- 1 cup butter, softened to room temperature
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 4 teaspoons cinnamon
- FROSTING:
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- ½ cup butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 2-3 tablespoon milk
- In a small bowl combine water, yeast and sugar. Stir until dissolved. Set aside for about 5 minutes until it gets bubbly. In a large bowl add pudding and prepare according to package directions. Add butter, eggs and salt. Mix Well. Then add yeast mixture. Blend well.
- Gradually add flour; knead until smooth. Do not over flour the dough. It should be very soft but not sticky. Place in a an oiled bowl. Cover and let rise until doubled. Roll out on a floured board to 34×21 inches in size. Spread 1 cup soft butter over the surface of the dough.
- In a small bowl combine brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle over the buttered dough. Roll up tightly. With a knife put a notch every 1-1/2 inch. Cut with a thread or serrated knife. (I used dental floss and it worked great) Place on lightly greased cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Cover and let rise until doubled.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Remove when they start to turn golden brown (don’t overbake) Frost warm rolls with cream cheese frosting. For frosting combine butter and cream cheese. Mix well, Add vanilla and sugar and mix again. Add milk for desired consistency.
If you want to freeze some of the cinnamon rolls (the recipe makes lots) shape the rolls and place them on a baking sheet. Cover lightly with greased plastic wrap and a layer to foil. Store in the freezer. The night before you want to serve them take out the rolls and put them in the refrigerator. Let them thaw for 8-10 hours. Remove from the fridge and let them rise until doubled in bulk. Bake according to the recipe. If you have less time you can take the rolls out of the freezer and let them come to room temperature on the counter – about 4 hours, then rise until doubled.
If you use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast decrease the yeast amount to 1-1/2 tablespoons. Mix it with water and sugar, but you don’t need to proof it just continue with the recipe, adding the yeast/water mixture where indicated.
This recipe is a bit too rich for me so rather than spread the dough with a cup of butter I melted a scant 1/2 cup of butter and brushed it on the dough and used only 1 cup of brown sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon to sprinkle on top of the butter.
This recipe is definitely a keeper and I’m looking forward to serving these yummy rolls for brunch during the holidays. I love that they can be made ahead. I think I will add a few raisins the next time I bake them and maybe a few chopped walnuts for good measure. I hope you give this recipe a try. You can’t believe how wonderful they smell as they are baking. It’s amazing what a little box of pudding mix can do to a yeast dough recipe.
I’m linking this post to Season Sunday at The Tablescaper and On the Menu Monday at StoneGable.
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{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }
these look utterly light and gorgous, I’d love one right now with a cuppa tea.
Cathy, These sound fantastic but I’m going to make them from your tips. Sometimes less is more and I’ll take your suggestions about this recipe.
Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted..Escarole and Beans / Minestra de Scarola e Fagioli
Hi Cathy, I also saw this recipe on Pinterest and thought it sounded delicious. If I do try these I will follow your adjustments. xo
Barbara F. recently posted..Angelic
The name alone stopped me in my tracks! OH, I think even I who have NO cooking genes (they skipped a few generations and went to my great niece, the chef) could and would happily make these. I might have to put this on my list to do with Cecelia at Christmas. She likes to cook and so does Addie. They would LOVE these. Thanks for pinning this for us, Cathy!
XO,
Sheila
Sheila recently posted..Surely, You Jest!
They look fantastic..I just tried yeast rolls also..not good! Maybe this one will redeem me!
Barb recently posted..Crispy Honey Walnut (Pecan) Shrimp
You are killing me! They look wonderful!
DH just said I should bake something. But it will have to be without yeast, he doesn’t want to wait! Saved for another day!
Kathleen recently posted..Copper Tone ~Eggplant& Spinach Stacks
Sounds wonderful! I like the idea of cutting back on the butter and sugar though. A little moderation can actually add to a treat’s appeal.
Lisa recently posted..Spirited Southern Sweet Potato Bars
Well Cathy, I’m have the same issues. My mother was a wonderful baker and I can’t make a yeast dough anything to save my life. I’m thrilled that you’ve posted this recipe. I love cinnamon rolls and would jump for joy I could actually make these. I’ll let you know.
Lea Ann recently posted..Southwest Chicken and Bean Soup
Oh yes. I can see making these ahead of time and storing them in the freezer for a special breakfast when guests arrive or at Christmas.
CiaochowLinda recently posted..Lidia’s Italy In America
Perfect Xmas brunch idea.. Your photo alone makes me want to try them..I am liking Pinterest also:)
Monique recently posted..Easy Peasy~
They look beautiful Cathy! Raisins and nuts sound good too-enjoy:@)
I will sure make them! I love everything that has to do with vanilla and I might not need to freeze them, I’ll eat them quickly
beti recently posted..Honey Biscuits
Oh my, these look and sound divine! I would definitely add chopped pecans and I will be trying them. Thanks so much for sharing.
xo
Pat
Pat recently posted..~ Crazy, Busy Week ~
I haven’t made cinnamon buns for years – but nothing makes the house smell better! I make Monkey Bread over the holidays, but they are cheater buns!
Oh my goodness, they do look wonderful! I must surprise my husband with these soon.
Susan recently posted..Oven Roasted Beet Chips
They look like a wonderful brunch treat to make for the upcoming holidays, Cathy! I’ve found so many recipes on Pinterest that i want to try. It is such a nice resouce.
Pat recently posted..A Key West Interlude
These look nice and light – I’m intrigued by the pudding in the mix here. I imagine it adds some great flavor. A nice treat for Thanksgiving morning!
Becki’s Whole Life recently posted..Mustard Roasted Fish – TGIF!
this look wonderful he he I didn’t inherit a baking gene either
I love rolls like this.The icing is the top of enjoyment;)
Dzoli recently posted..Dragi/Dear/Liefste/Liebste
OOooooh my goodness I’m drooling on my keyboard. That looks incredible. I need to make it. Right now.
(found your blog via Loulou’s site! love it!)
Katia recently posted..White Lady
I don’t see how it could get better than that either. I would love to have these Christmas morning!
bellini recently posted..Sheet Macaroni and Cheese Inspired by Barbara
They do look fantastic! You did a great job Cathy. That pudding that is included really sparked my interest. Keeping this for my grand daughter’s visit; her favourite thing. Thank you.
Rita
Those are the most delicious, tenderest cinnamon rolls, ever…I have been making that recipe for many years! I tried other recipes, but kept going back to this one.
Ok, now you’re going for my weak spot. Love cinnamon rolls! These look great and not too hard to do. Pat
Pat recently posted..Cranberry-Orange Butter
I just may have to change our Thanksgiving brunch to include these, Cathy. They look so light and the cream cheese frosting sounds wonderful. And isn’t the vanilla pudding an interesting ingredient?
I don’t do a lot of yeast baking since the kids left home. But when they all come back, this is the kind of baking I love to do for them.
Barbara recently posted..Thanksgiving Dinner: Roasted Turkey Roulade
Those cinnamon buns are so soft and gorgeous with icing.
Angie@Angiesrecipes recently posted..Crusty Hard Rolls
yowzer…so good lookin’ , I can almost smell them!
Ramona recently posted..The Eagle has landed
All I can say is YUM!!! I’m here from On the Menu Monday.
i didn’t get the baking gene either, but it looks like you nailed these! they look and sound amazing, i’m going to have to pin this one too!
teresa recently posted..What’s a’Going on?
You’ve got me drooling over these! Yum, I can almost smell that amazing cinnamon aroma………………
The Café Sucré Farine recently posted..Cranberry Pecan Artisan Bread – Another 5 Minute Bread!
Thanks so much for sharing these with us, Mom. We gobbled them up in no time. They were delicious!!!
Erin @ Making Memories recently posted..{Crazy Cooking Challenge} Bacon, Broccoli, Cheddar Mashed Potato Bites
Freeze some? Not with my boys, I would be lucky to get one
These look amazing, and I just happen to be having a cup of coffee right now and this would be just perfect 
Magic of Spice recently posted..What’s for lunch? Truffle Salted Ahi with Manzano and Cucumber Salad
My goodness, but this sounds delicious! And I am in a sugar sort of mood lately. Maybe this would satisfy the sweet tooth.
Marilyn recently posted..Seeking Beauty in Everyday Life
These look tooooooo good! simply delicious – I want them every morning with a cup of coffee!
Mary x
Mary recently posted..Moroccan Lamb Stew
Cathy, these look wonderful. I would definitely have a problem eating just one!
Kate recently posted..Broccoli-Ham Strata
I bet the pudding makes and keeps them so moist. It sounds like a great recipe!
Karen recently posted..Antelope Liver Paté
These sound AMAZING. I too have little patience for yeast, but these sound great.
- The Tablescaper
Love cinnamon rolls! These look incredible! Love the addition of the pudding!! I’ve got to try them out! YUM!!
Tiffanee recently posted..Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
I actually made these years ago out of a recipe book called “Fast Fixes With Mixes”. The recipe, at least what I can remember is the exact same as this one. I did make a change too it also, I used cheesecake flavored pudding instead of vanilla. My God, they were wonderful!