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Pistachio Cinnamon Rolls

Pistachio Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 410
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup warm whole milk (110°F)
  • 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 tsp fine sea salt
  • 3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter, very soft
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped roasted pistachios
  • 1/4 tsp ground cardamom (optional)
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 to 2 tbsp milk

Method
 

  1. Stir warm milk, a pinch of sugar, and yeast; let foam. Mix in melted butter, remaining sugar, egg, and salt. Add 3 1/2 cups flour, knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Shape into a ball, place in a buttered bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled, 1 hour.
  2. For the filling, stir together sugar, cinnamon, chopped pistachios, and cardamom. Set aside.
  3. Punch down dough, roll into a 12x18-inch rectangle. Spread with soft butter, sprinkle with filling, press gently. Roll up tightly from a long side, cut into 12 slices, place in a buttered 9x13-inch dish. Cover and let rise until puffy, 30 to 45 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) during the final 20 minutes of rising.
  4. Bake until golden and bubbling, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes.
  5. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Mix in powdered sugar, vanilla, and 1 tbsp milk, thinning with more milk as needed. Drizzle over warm rolls and top with extra chopped pistachios.

Notes

Proofing times are not included in the prep total. From start to finish, plan on about 2 hours. For a make-ahead option, assemble the rolls the night before, cover, and refrigerate after the second rise; let them sit at room temperature while the oven preheats, then bake as directed.