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A frosted cinnamon roll, inspired by Gaston’s Tavern cinnamon rolls recipe, sits on a small wooden board with icing gently melting and dripping down the sides. The background features a light, textured surface.

Gaston’s Famous Cinnamon Rolls

The legendary cinnamon roll at Gaston’s Tavern is an absolute beast—colossal, soft, and drenched in sweet cream cheese frosting. It’s the perfect reward for a mighty man... or woman! Now you can skip the Fantasyland queue and make this iconic Disney treat right at home.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Total Time 1 hour 58 minutes
Course: cake, Dessert
Cuisine: Disney
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

Cinnamon Roll Dough
  • 1 1/2 Cups Whole Milk
  • 1/2 Cup Butter
  • 6 1/2 Cups All Purpose Flour (divided)
  • 2 Packets Rapid Rise Yeast (0.25 oz each)
  • 1/2 Cup Sugar
  • 1 Teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 Cup water
  • 2 Large Eggs
  • 1/4 Cup Melted Butter
  • 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract (optional)
Filling
  • 2 Cups Brown Sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons Cinnamon
  • 1 Cup Butter (softened)
  • 1/2 to 1 Teaspoon Extra Cinnamon (optional)
Cream Cheese Frosting
  • 1 (8 oz) Package Cream Cheese
  • 1/4 Cup Butter
  • 2 Cups Powdered Sugar
  • 1 Teaspoon Vanilla
  • 3 Tablespoons Heavy Whipping Cream
  • 4 oz Mascarpone Cheese (optional for a richer frosting)
Butterscotch Topping
  • 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
  • 4 Tablespoons Butter
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
  • 1 Teaspoon Vanilla
  • 1/2 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream

Equipment

  • 1 Saucepan
  • 1 Stand mixer (or mixing bowl + hand mixer/you can knead by hand)
  • 1 Dough hook / flat beater attachments
  • 1 Large mixing bowl
  • 1 Rolling pin or equivalent flat surface
  • 1 Measuring cups & spoons
  • 1 9 × 13-inch baking pan (or equivalent large rectangular pan)
  • 1 Non-stick cooking spray or butter for greasing pan
  • 1 Spatula / mixing spoon
  • 1 Cutting tool (knife or dough cutter)
  • 1 Oven

Method
 

Step by Step Instructions for Cinnamon Rolls
  1. Melt 1/2 cup butter with 1 1/2 cups whole milk in a saucepan. Once the butter has melted, remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly.
  2. Combine 2 1/2 cups flour (reserve the rest), 2 packets yeast, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt in your mixer bowl. Mix well.
  3. Add 1/2 cup water, 2 large eggs, and the warm butter/milk mixture (from step 1) to the mixer. Mix until combined.
  4. Gradually add the remaining 4 cups of flour (about 1/2 cup at a time), mixing as you go. Continue adding until the dough starts to form a ball.
  5. Switch to a dough hook (or knead by hand if preferred) and knead for about 5 minutes until the dough is smooth.
  6. Lightly flour the bowl, place the dough back in, cover, and let rise for 10 minutes.
  7. While the dough rises, prepare the filling: In a bowl, combine 2 cups brown sugar, 2 tablespoons cinnamon, and 1 cup softened butter. Mix until spreadable (you can use your hands for better consistency). For extra cinnamon flavor, add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon extra cinnamon (optional).
  8. Roll the dough into a large rectangle, ensuring it’s much longer than it is wide.
  9. Evenly spread the filling across the dough.
  10. Starting at one short end, roll the dough into a jellyroll shape.
  11. Make a cut in the center of the long roll, and then two cuts about 6 inches from the center on either side. You should now have 4 sections.
  12. Place the rolls, swirl side down, in a greased 9×13 inch pan.
  13. Don’t waste any leftover dough! Cut it into smaller rolls and place in another pan.
  14. Melt 1/4 cup butter and drizzle it over the rolls. Allow them to rise for 30 minutes.
  15. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bake the rolls for 20 minutes, then cover loosely with foil and bake for another 10 minutes.
  16. While the rolls bake, make the toppings:For the cream cheese frosting:
    In a saucepan, melt 8 oz cream cheese and 1/4 cup butter together. Stir in 2 cups powdered sugar, then add 1 teaspoon vanilla and 3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream. For a richer frosting, add 4 oz mascarpone cheese. Set aside.
    For the butterscotch topping: combine 1/2 cup brown sugar, 4 tablespoons butter, and 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream in a separate saucepan. Bring to a boil and maintain for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat, then stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon vanilla
  17. Drizzle the cream cheese frosting in one direction, then drizzle the butterscotch topping in the opposite direction.