Alright guys, today we’re taking it back. Like, waaaay back! Who remembers Main Street Bakery in Magic Kingdom BEFORE it was a Starbucks location? Well, we do, and we think about it more than we’d like to admit.
And you know what one of the best things was about the old Main Street Bakery? The cinnamon rolls, otherwise known as the undisputed breakfast of champions! Seriously, just look at this.
And I know that the cinnamon rolls at Gaston’s Tavern in New Fantasyland are supposed to be the same. Well. Okay. Whatever you say, Disney.
But whatever the reason, those old Main Street Bakery ones are still my favorite. And I do wish you could still get them — and all those scoops of extra icing! Yum! Well, no matter. Because we have the recipe! And knowledge is power.
So I can make them anytime I’d like. And now, so can you. 🙂
SEE ALL OF OUR DISNEY RECIPES ON OUR DISNEY RECIPES PAGE HERE!
Cinnamon Rolls Recipe:
Walt Disney World’s Main Street Bakery
Yield: 16-18 Rolls
Ingredients:
Cinnamon Rolls
1/2 cup warm water
2 packages yeast
2 tablespoons sugar
1 (3 1/2 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding
2 cups milk
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon salt
8 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 cups brown sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon
Cream Cheese Frosting
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened (room temperature)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
Instructions:
Cinnamon Rolls
1. In small bowl, combine water, yeast, and sugar.
2. Stir until dissolved and set aside.
3. In large bowl, mix pudding according to package instructions with milk.
4. Add 1/2 cup melted butter, egg, and salt. Mix well, then add yeast mixture and blend well.
5. Gradually add flour and knead until smooth.
6. Place in a very large greased bowl.
7. Cover and let rise in a warm place until double in size.
8. Punch down and let rise again for second time.
9. Roll dough on a very large floured surface.
10. Dough should roll out to a long rectangle, about 34 x 21 inches in size.
11. Take the 1 cup of melted butter and use a pastry brush to spread over entire dough surface.
12. In small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon.
13. Sprinkle over top of buttered dough. Roll dough up like a jelly roll.
14. Measure dough every 2 inches and cut with a knife.
15. Take each roll into the palm of your hand and gently pack the roll (this keeps it from coming apart during baking).
16. Place each roll in a buttered baking pan and allow to rise in a warm place for about 20 minutes.
17. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven until golden brown in color, about 15-20 minutes.
18. Frost rolls while still warm.
Cream Cheese Frosting
1. In mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and mix until smooth.
2. Spread on the very warm rolls.
And that’s all there is to it!
Okay. So they’re little involved. But I’m already dreaming of how good they’ll taste. So I’m pretty sure my efforts will be well rewarded.
Pin it for later!
C’mon! Take the plunge with me and make some Main Street Bakery Cinnamon Rolls. You know you wanna.
SEE ALL OF OUR DISNEY RECIPES ON OUR DISNEY RECIPES PAGE HERE!
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Leave a comment below and let us know when you’ll be making these! Recipe Courtesy of Magical Recipes
Essie says
Oh, this sounds heavenly. What type and size of a baking pan do you use, Brooke? How many people is this recipe supposed to be for? I remember the Cinnamon Rolls from the MSB to be half of a loaf. These in your recipe look like they are all individual rolls and would therefore be one per person? I’m just asking very specific questions, because I’d really like to try and make these. The one I had during our 2012 holiday trip was just so wonderful that I’m still upset that I can’t go to Main St. and get one anymore. However, if I can make them at home, that would be the best. Thanks so much!
Brooke says
Essie — I’m dying to try this one for the first time too! I have made similar recipes, but it will be my first time baking the MSB cinnamon rolls. The recipe makes approximately 16-18 rolls if you cut them every two inches or so, but they are huge, just like the ones at MSB…so how many people each roll serves is probably a matter of opinion. 🙂 You could use a half sheet pan (12×18 inches), but you may need more than one pan. When preparing them for the final rise and bake, you’ll need to leave a little space between them since they’ll plump up some from the rise and the baking. This will probably be an upcoming weekend baking project for me, so I’ll post my results, and you do the same if you beat me to it! I can’t wait to hear back!
Emily says
WOW this looks so good! Will definitely be trying!! Especially since there’s no nuts or raisins. For me, I just want lots and lots of cinnamon and sugar in the cinnamon roll, which mainly exists as a vehicle for the icing anyway 😛
Lynne says
Waayyy too big of a batch for me. I’m going to try cutting it in half.
Agnes says
Thanks for the recipe! Although why bother with the cinnamon roll nonsense when one can just eat lots and lots of sugary icing? So happy.
Essie says
Thanks for the info, Brooke. As for hearing back, you wont. I am going through some major changes and will have no internet service for quite a while after this Friday. I will miss my DFB TERRIBLY 🙁 , but until I can get established and get a new system set up, I will be out of circulation for a while. When I get back on line, this will be my first stop! Thank you everyone at the DFB for all of the enjoyment you have provided over the years.
Jennie says
Wait, the Main Street Bakery icing wasn’t cream cheese. It might be an ingredient, but the above picture is not cream cheese icing….anyone want to set me straight?
Sandy says
Thank you for this recipe! The Cinnamon Rolls at Gaston’s Tavern are NOT the same … dried out and a huge disappointment. Ended up throwing it away …
Angelina says
Any idea if you could make this dough in a bread machine? I might try that and let everyone know how it works out. Who has time to watch that dough??? LOL
Josette LeBlond says
Very interesting.
Thanks.
V No Privacy says
I know this is a family blog but man that is one sexy cinnamon roll 🙂
V No Privacy says
And I agree w/ Sandy – the GT rolls are NOT the same at all.
Brooke says
V No Privacy — Ha! I concur. 🙂
Momof4 says
I was looking for Disney info when I ran across this recipe. I made these 2 days ago. They are DELICIOUS!!! I froze some and am planning on making another batch in the next few weeks. Also will be trying one at Disney World!!
Heather says
Made these Disney Cinnamon Rolls the past weekend… YUMMY!! I have made a few other Cinnamon Roll recipes & this recipe has to be the least involved with the best outcome. I really liked that the consistency is a little more bready, so it’s a lot easier to work with than some of the other “doughier” recipes. I can’t wait to make these again… so delicious!
betsey says
I really need to try these for those that have what size pan did you use will two 13×9 pans work? also when freezing do you freeze them unfrosted?
Penny says
Thank you for this recipe. I’ve never had the rolls at WDW, but these are the tastiest cinnamon buns I’ve ever made. I baked the 18 rolls in two batches, and the entire process took about 3.5 hours. I used 9 inch round cake pans, placing either 4 or 5 rolls in a pan. Four rolls worked better–they grew to fit the pan. I put half of the rolls in the freezer, one frosted. Next week I’ll pull them out and see how they fared.
Penny says
Both the frosted and unfrosted cinnamon buns that had been frozen tasted great when thawed. I made them again today and baked 3 in each cake pan, and they grew even bigger.
Emma says
Hi, I am from the UK and would LOVE to make theese however I cannot get instant pudding here does anyone know what i could use as a substitue? im guessing its not just about flavour and it will change the texture?
Thanks!!!
Jocelyn says
Thank you soo soo much this is the bestest recipe ever in the entire world I could never thank you enough <3 My aunt and I had soo much fun baking these for my grandma thank you for the memories <3
Diane says
Can you make night before then bake?
Jennifer says
Made just as you stated and they were THEE BEST Cinnamon Rolls our family has EVER had. HANDS DOWN! My husband is not a sweets person, but wanted to try one since I put so much effort into them (it really wasn’t that bad at all! I love to bake and this was fun!) and he couldn’t say enough about them. WOW was the word I think we all said on the first bite. We have a Disney Cruise booked, but it’s still kind of far off yet. Looking to keep the excitement alive until then; I look for fun Disney things to do on the significant “XX amount of days left” until the vacation to pass the time in a fun way. We just passed under 300 days left. (yeah I know, we have quite a bit to go yet, but it’s fun Disney things like this that can pass the time) Thanks for posting!
Abby K. says
Um… yes, yes, a thousand times YES!
I am a teacher and get summers off. I had a particularly hard time last year, so I decided, instead of working summer school this year, I would use my summer to broaden my horizons in the kitchen and cook new things all summer. About 3 weeks ago, my husband was complaining about me sleeping in and jokingly said “You haven’t even woken up and made me breakfast once this summer” (I never make him breakfast period).
So I decided to surprise him with cinnamon rolls, and not just any cinnamon rolls… Mainstreet Bakery cinnamon rolls. I was going to fill my Disney hating husband up with sugary goodness that even he couldn’t deny…I hoped.
I decided I would prepare them that night and bake them in the morning. I am a pretty good cook, so I thought I could make the correct adaptations to do so. WRONG. When I baked them in the morning they came out pretty flat because they had deflated over night. Once I threw the cream cheese icing on them you couldn’t even tell! Even though the tops were flat, they were still AMAZINGLY delicious!
The look on my husbands face was priceless not only when he saw them, but when he bit into one! Because we didn’t need a whole tray of them for two people, I sent them along with him to work. An hour into the morning I started getting text after text with compliments, and people asking when I would make them again.
I have now made them twice. Here are some tips I have:
-The first time I made them I experimented with a Pyrex baking dish and a cast iron skillet (I am a sucker for the cast iron because it is just convenient). Never make them in a cast iron skillet! They get an iron-y taste that is just bad. I had only had one from the skillet that morning, and thought the recipe was a dud. Then when my husband brought home the left overs in the Pyrex (There aren’t enough people in his office to finish off a tray) I tried that one and was BLOWN AWAY! I highly recommend a pyrex dish.
-The second time I made them, I split the cinnamon rolls between two 7inx11in pyrex baking dishes. I baked them completely through covered them with the frosting, ate one dish and froze the other.
-If you use home made vanilla (super easy and cheap to do) your recipe will be even more amazing! Especially the frosting. I split the frosting on the second time and tried it with store bought and my homemade vanilla. My homemade vanilla won hands down.
-Don’t let the dough sit over night. If you want to make it a head of time, bake it through. Then warm it up in the oven in the morning and put your icing on then.
Brooke says
Abby — Thank you THANK YOU for all of the wonderful feedback! This is so helpful to other readers, and I can’t wait to try your tricks myself! 😀
Grace says
To me the Gaston Tavern rolls were no different than a Dolly Madison cinnamon bun from a convenience store, Being comically large doesn’t make it better.
Kat says
I made these a few times and they have been a huge hit every single time! I’ve found that using a glass baking dish (several) is the way to go; metal only burns/dries them out.
Brooke says
Thank, Kat! I think it’s the perfect dish for Christmas morning! 😀
Melanie says
I made these last night and just gobbled 2 down. Perfection!! I halved the recipe and made the dough in my dough maker. I rolled them out last night then let them sit out for a bit in the morning before baking. So good!!! It would torture me to start the process in the morning and have to wait so long. But there’s nothing like fresh baked in the morning. So yeah you can prep them the night before and able in the morning.
Nicole H says
These rolls are SICK (in the best possible way)!!! I just reheated one for breakfast and it was so amazing.
They took forever to make (about 4.5 hours from start to finish, including rising time), so they probably won’t be a frequent menu item in our house. But fortunately, we had more than enough to freeze, so we’ll be able to enjoy these for a while (as long as we behave and pace ourselves haha).
A few tips. If you plan to use a KitchenAid mixer with a standard bowl size to make the dough, mix it in small batches (at least thirds, if not quarters). We used ours with the dough hook and it just couldn’t handle the amount of dough we had in there. Also, we used 8-inch cake pans to bake them, and at first we put 3 to a pan. They were much too big for that, and they refused to bake in the middle because they all grew into each other and formed giant monster rolls. They took ages to bake (about 40 minutes). To prevent burning of the outside, since that part baked so quickly, we covered them in foil until the middle finally baked through. We then switched to 2 to a pan with at least an inch gap between them, and they baked to perfection in 18 minutes. Our 9-inch pans probably would’ve worked better, but they unfortunately had pot pies in them at the time haha.
All the work was worth it, they’re incredible, and you should definitely try making these at least once!
Brooke says
Nicole H — Thanks so much for your tips! I’m really glad they turned out so well for you. And now I’m craving cinnamon rolls…
Shaniqua says
I tried this recipe twice already and I must say that this will definitely be my go to recipe for cinnamon rolls from now on. I’m going to try it with sweet potato puree and see how that comes out.
Shaniqua says
You guys should try these with a sweet potato twist! I added a cup of sweet potato puree I had left over and it was heavenly (you don’t have to add the full cup like I did though. I suggest using a
half cup of sweet potato puree if you decide to try it out). Once again, this is my go to recipe for cinnamon rolls. Moreover, thank you Nicole H for the tip with covering the pan with foil. I will be sure to give it a try the next time I make cinnamon rolls (you’re also right on the time it take to prepare them, so I don’t make them as frequently either lol).
Kim says
I’m baking these cinnamon rolls right this moment!! I hope they are the bomb!!!!
Carol says
Emma from the UK, you can buy the instant pudding mix on Amazon.
Jennifer says
I made these with a friend on a snowy day here in Maine. I was so impressed how easy the dough was to work with! I was like a child in a candy store when I looked in the oven to see their progress! Oh and the finished product? Wow! Amazing! Definitely a keeper! Never before have I gone to bed with the excited anticipation of eating a cinnamon roll for breakfast!
Marilyn says
Waiting for my 2 bs rise!! InsteD of butter and cinnamon! I’m going to put a can of apple pie filling and caramel!!
Can’t wait to try these!!
Marti says
The recipe instructions state to place one 2″ roll per baking pan…I’m confused…how big is each baking pan?
Before I try the recipe, I need clarification!
Brooke says
Marti — You can use whatever size you’d like. Many of our commenters have had good luck with square Pyrex dishes or round 9-inch pans. I think you could also use a half sheet pan (12 x 18 inches). Some bakers have commented that glass is the way to go. Whatever you prefer, be sure to leave room between the rolls so they can proof. Overall, we’ve had lots of success stories! I still haven’t made them; I’m constantly low-carbing it (not that it’s done me a bit of good. I should just give in and make the rolls!) Best of luck! Let us know how they turn out!
Beth says
Just made them. I cut the recipe in half which now I’m glad I did because we want to eat all of them.
sharon says
these look amazing and i will make them just wondering if i could get a printable recipe
Sandy says
I just finished making the dough an hour ago. I messed up big tiny by forgetting to add the yeast. I took the dough ball and put it back into the mixer and with a dough hook stirred in the yeast mixture. Now I’m trying to rise the dough. I’m not holding out much hope. Sooooo sad!
Samantha says
What kind of yeast do you use?
Jackie says
I made these today and while everyone thought they were very good, I think I prefer the copycat Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll recipe I have been using . Maybe if I make these again, I’ll add more cinnamon because I feel like 2 Tablespoons wasn’t nearly enough-at least not for my taste!
Overall though these are really good cinnamon rolls and well worth making!
Robert says
I make the cinnamon rolls all the time for Christmas & now for Easter & people love them
Arlene B says
Can you clarify the instant pudding? Do you actually make it like pudding and add it to everything else or just the pudding mix and milk ?
Connie P says
I made these 2 weeks ago, and will be making again for our “cookbook club” at our public library….I think the staff will be in heaven since I plan sharing with them!
Corey says
I’m very excited to make these on Monday, but I’d like a couple quick clarifications before I do!
I don’t see the type of yeast posted. Do I want active dry or instant?
If I want to make a half batch, can I just cut everything in half?
What’s the estimated time from start to finish?
Thanks!
Becca says
Original Disney cinnamon rolls had two icings – one a cream cheese and one was a brown sugar or maple icing. Any info on the recipe for that icing?
Jason says
I don’t know if anyone remembers, but many years ago (mid-nineties and earlier), the cinnamon rolls on Main St. also had red-hots in them I believe, at least for a little while. Might try to add some to this recipe to see what happens!
Toni says
I didn’t see the answer to what kind of yeast. also I’ve never made cinnamon rolls or bread for that matter how difficult is this. also when it says warm water how warm does it need to be I don’t want to mess it up