Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting

Cinnamon Rolls:
1/2 cup warm water
2 packages dry yeast (or 5 teaspoons yeast)
2 Tablespoons of sugar
3 1/2 oz package of vanilla pudding mix (and 2 cups milk)
1/2 cup (or 1 stick) butter; melted
2 eggs
1 teaspoon salt
6 cups flour

Filling:
1 cup (2 sticks) butter; softened
2 cups brown sugar
4 teaspoons cinnamon

Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 oz cream cheese; softened (or 4 oz vanilla yogurt if you are omitting the cream cheese)
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups powdered sugar
1 Tablespoon milk

In a small bowl combine water, yeast and sugar. Stir until dissolved. Set aside.

In a large bowl, take pudding mix and prepare according to package directions. Add 1/2 cup butter, eggs and salt. Mix well. Then add yeast mixture. Blend.

Gradually add flour, mixing in one cup at a time and kneading until smooth (may require up to an additional cup of flour). Note: Sticky at first but will set up, so don't add too much more flour.

Place dough in a large greased bowl. Cover with Saran wrap and let rise in a warm place (I prefer to preheat the oven to 200 degrees, TURN OFF oven, place bowl in oven with door cracked open). Let rise for 3 hours, punching down at 1 1/2 hours (note: again dough will be sticky when you punch down at the 1 1/2 hour mark).

Roll out dough onto floured surface (give yourself plenty of counter space). Take 1 cup soft butter and spread over dough. In bowl mix the brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle over top of butter. (optional: sprinkle raisins or pecans on top). Roll up dough very tightly. Cut with thread or knife every 2".

Place in a lightly buttered pans (more than one!)...leave room for the dough to rise (about 5 per pan). Take hand and lightly press down on each roll. Cover with Saran wrap and let rise to double its size (approx 2 more hours!).

Uncover pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

To make frosting: Mix all frosting ingredients in a mixer until smooth. Cover and chill until ready to use.

Frost warm rolls, in their pans, with the cream cheese frosting. Don't skimp!!!

Makes 20 VERY large rolls!

I half the recipe unless I am taking rolls to others....there is just too many :)