Disney Recipe
Gaston’s Warm Cinnamon Roll
Fantasyland Magic Kingdom
History
When Fantasyland underwent its grand expansion in 2012, Disney Imagineers introduced Gaston’s Tavern, inspired by Disney’s animated classic Beauty and the Beast.
The tavern celebrates the larger-than-life persona of Gaston, complete with antler chandeliers, rustic wooden beams, and a portrait of Gaston himself in exaggerated heroics. Naturally, a character known for excess required a snack to match.
Enter the oversized cinnamon roll.
Unlike standard theme park pastries, this roll was intentionally crafted to be massive and indulgent, reflecting Gaston’s boastful appetite and strength. It quickly became iconic—not only for its size but for its shareability and Instagram appeal. For years, Disney food bloggers have ranked it among the top breakfast items in Magic Kingdom.
Fun Fact: Early guests often compared its size to an entire pan of homemade cinnamon rolls condensed into one glorious spiral.
Ingredients
While Disney has not released the exact proprietary recipe, this is the most accurate high-quality copycat version inspired by the park favorite.
### Ingredients
#### Dough:
– 4 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 packet (2¼ tsp) active dry yeast
– 1 cup whole milk (warmed to 110°F)
– ⅓ cup granulated sugar
– ⅓ cup unsalted butter (melted)
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 2 large eggs
#### Filling:
– 1 cup packed light brown sugar
– 2½ tablespoons ground cinnamon
– ⅓ cup unsalted butter (softened)
#### Icing:
– 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
– ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened)
– 1½ cups powdered sugar
– ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1–2 tablespoons heavy cream (as needed)
Instructions
## Directions
### Step 1: Prepare the Dough
1. In a mixing bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Add sugar, melted butter, eggs, and salt.
3. Gradually mix in flour until a soft dough forms.
4. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1–1½ hours, or until doubled in size.
### Step 2: Create the Signature Spiral
6. Roll dough into a large rectangle (about 16×20 inches).
7. Spread softened butter evenly across the surface.
8. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle generously over the butter.
9. Roll tightly from the long edge into one large log.
10. Instead of slicing into multiple rolls, shape into one giant spiral by coiling the log into itself.
11. Place into a greased round baking pan.
### Step 3: Second Rise
12. Cover and allow to rise for another 30–45 minutes.
### Step 4: Bake
13. Bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
14. Warm slightly before icing.
### Step 5: Make the Icing
15. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
16. Add powdered sugar and vanilla.
17. Thin with heavy cream until thick but spreadable.
18. Generously frost while the roll is still warm.
Serve immediately—and preferably with a Lefou’s Brew for full tavern authenticity.
Nutrition
## Nutritional Estimates (Per Giant Roll – Approximate)
– Calories: 1,050–1,200
– Carbohydrates: 150g
– Protein: 14g
– Fat: 45g
(Realistically meant for sharing between 2–4 guests… though Gaston would disagree.)