Vanilla pudding cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting and caramel sauce

I'm not even joking when I say that these are probably the best cinnamon rolls I've ever had. The pudding in the bread dough makes the bread incredibly soft and so yummy! I hope you love them as much as I do!

Kelsie's incredibly awesome cinnamon rolls!

Ingredients:

Rolls:
1/2 c. warm water
2 Tbs active dry yeast
2 Tbs white sugar
3 1/2 ounce package instant vanilla pudding
1/2 c. butter, melted
2 eggs
1 tsp salt
6 + c. flour

Filling:
1 c. butter, softened to room temperature
2 c. brown sugar
1 Tbs cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg

Frosting:
8 ounce package cream cheese
1/2 c. butter, softened to room temperature
1 tsp vanilla
3 c. powdered sugar
2-3 Tbs milk
Smuckers caramel sauce (or homemade caramel sauce)

In a small bowl combine water, yeast and sugar. Stir to dissolve. Set aside.
In a large bowl, take pudding mix and prepare according to package directions. Add butter, eggs and salt. Mix well. Then add yeast mixture. Blend. Gradually add flour. Knead until smooth. DO NOT OVERFLOUR THE DOUGH! It should be very soft but not sticky. Place in a greased bowl. Cover and let rise until doubled. Then roll out on a floured board to 34 x 21 inches in size. Take 1 cup softened butter and spread over dough. In a small bowl mix 2 cups brown sugar, 1 tablespoon cinnamon and 1 tsp nutmeg. Sprinkle over the top of the butter. Roll up very tightly. With a knife put a notch every 1 1/2 inches. Cut with thread or a serrated knife. (I found the knife easier). Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet 1 inch apart. Cover and let rise until double again.

Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes. Remove when they start to turn golden. Don't overbake!

While rolls are baking, make frosting so it will be ready when the rolls are ready.
Combine butter and cream cheese and mix well. Add vanilla and sugar and mix again. Add milk for desired consistency. I left mine a bit thick.

Frost warm rolls with cream cheese frosting and top with a drizzle of caramel sauce! So yummy!!

Makes 24 very large rolls

(Note: I also tried butterscotch sauce because I had it on hand, those are also very good but I liked the caramel better)




Just cut and ready to rise



Fresh out of the oven with caramel sauce


Fresh out of the oven with just frosting