Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls

This is a recipe that I often come back to.  The cake mix adds a nice lightness to the dough.  (update 2/17/2018--we make this cinnamon roll recipe the most often).

Dough

• 2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast 
• 2 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C) 
• 1 (9 ounce) package yellow cake mix or half of a regular cake mix
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 5 cups all-purpose flour 

Filling

• 1/2 cup butter, softened 
• 3/4 cup white sugar (I prefer to use about 1/2 cup of brown)
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 

Frosting

• 3 cups confectioners' sugar 
• 1/3 cup butter, softened 
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 
• 1 1/2 tablespoons milk 

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DIRECTIONS:

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.   (If using instant yeast, decrease amount of yeast by 25% and you can skip the proofing step).

In a large bowl, combine the yeast mixture with the cake mix, salt and vanilla; stir well to combine. Stir in the flour; beat well. Cover bowl and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour. 

Deflate dough and turn it out onto a well floured surface. Roll dough out into a rectangle and spread with butter. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Roll up dough and cut into 3/4 inch thick rolls. Place rolls in two lightly greased 9x13 inch baking pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.   (Or cover and let rise in the the fridge overnight.  Bring to room temperature 30-60 minutes before baking the next morning).

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). 

Bake rolls in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes. While rolls are baking, prepare the frosting. In a medium bowl, stir together confectioners' sugar, 1/3 cup butter, vanilla and milk. Let rolls cool slightly then spread with frosting.