Yummy Cinnamon Goodness!!!

So I decided to broaden my cooking horizon and take the tradition of cinnamon rolls for Christmas breakfast and try them from scratch!! WOWZERS a lot of work but also a LOT of goodness too ;)

Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls

1/2 c warm water
2 pkgs dry yeast
2 T Sugar
1 (3.5 oz) of instant vanilla pudding. I didn't use this I just put vanilla extract in it :)
2 c milk
1 1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
1 t salt
6 cups flour
3 c brown sugar
4 t cinnamon

The Frosting:
1 package cream cheese
1 t vanilla
3 c confectioner's sugar
1 T milk

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

In a large bowl, prepare pudding (or just vanilla extract) with 2 c of milk. Melt 1/2 the butter and add to pudding mixture. Blend. Add eggs. Blend.

Gradually add flour; knead until smooth. Place in a greased bowl.
Cover and let rise doubling in size. (about an hour here)
Punch down and let rise again.

Then roll out on floured surface into 34x21 in rectangle.
Spread one cup of softened butter over surface.
In a bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon.
Sprinkle over top.

Roll dough very tightly.
With a knife, notch every 2 inches.
Cut with knife.

Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet 2 inches apart.
With hand, press down lightly on each roll.
Cover and let rise until doubled again.

Bake 350* for 15-20 minutes.

Remove when rolls start to turn golden brown.

For frosting, blend all ingredients until smooth. Frost warm rolls.

Makes about 20 very large rolls :) Although I made about 40 small rolls!