Delicious cinnamon rolls made into a Christmas wreath.

How the sunshine ring got it’s name.

This is the ultimate Christmas meal for my family! The tradition started with my grandma, as a young newlywed with very little means to give gifts to her friends and family. She loved baking cinnamon rolls, but wanted to make them a little fancier. So she cut almost all the way through and connected the ends making a ring. She called them sunshine rings because who doesn’t feel happy when they see one!

How to make a sweet family tradition.

Ever since, sunshine rings have been a family tradition. We make them throughout the year but every home that has expanded from my grandma’s roots makes them for friends and family at Christmas time. I remember growing up and my mom making batches and batches of them for all of our neighbors. Our mouths would water as the smell of cinnamon and sugar filled our home but we were never allowed to eat them until Christmas morning.

Ever since I’ve had a home of my own I do the same thing! I make as many as I can for as many friends that I can share with. But I make sure to share a little with my family even if it means making another batch. Sunshine rings have become a family symbol of Christmas as we share the joy of food and family with those we love.

Give them a try this year! Even if it is just for your family, they will feel the joy that comes from sharing a sunshine ring.

Print Recipe

Sunshine Rings

Delicious cinnamon rolls made into a Christmas wreath.

Servings

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup warm water
• 2 tablespoons yeast
• 1/2 cup oil
• 2 cups milk scalded
• 1 cup mashed potatoes
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 8 cups flour

Servings Ingredients 1/2 cup warm water 2 tablespoons yeast 1/2 cup oil 2 cups milk scalded 1 cup mashed potatoes 2 eggs 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup sugar 8 cups flour

Instructions

1. Dissolve yeast in warm water (add 1 T. sugar). Let rise to double it's size.
2. In a separate bowl, mix liquid ingredients.
3. Add yeast once it's doubled in size and mix in dry ingredients (add flour slowly).
4. Let dough double in size (about 45 minutes).
5. Use 1/4 of the dough and roll into a large rectangle, about 1/2" thick. (This will make one ring as big as a cookie sheet. If you want them smaller, take 1/8 of the dough.)
6. Spread butter over the dough, then brown sugar and cinnamon. (Grandma likes to add raisons but we just like them plain.)
7. Next, roll the dough into a long roll and bring the two ends together into a circle. Pinch the seam together.
8. Place cinnamon circle onto baking sheet. Take a knife and cut slices about two inches apart from the outside of the circle. Leave about an inch of the roll uncut.
9. Now comes the fun part- twist the cuts so they make a ring, cinnamon rolls showing.
10. Cover; let rise until doubled in size (30-60 minutes).
11. Bake at 375 for 13-15 minutes. Make sure the top is slightly browned or your ring will be doughy.
12. Frost- if you frost them warm the icing melts a little or wait until they are cool and frosting will be fluffy.

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