Ingredients
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12 ounces evaporated milk
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1 cup half-and-half
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2 teaspoons yeast
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1/2 cup sugar
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2 eggs
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2 teaspoons salt
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2 cups butter
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7 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
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2 1/2 cups light brown sugar
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5 tablespoons ground cinnamon
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4 tablespoons cornstarch
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4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
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2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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2 teaspoons lemon juice
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2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the yeast, evaporated milk, and half and half.
- Let stand 5-10 minutes.
- Add the sugar, 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, salt, 2 cups flour, and 2 eggs. Beat together until very smooth.
- Add remaining flour gradually (1/2 cup at a time) until a soft but not sticky dough is formed that you can work with. Knead the dough for 10 minutes.
- When the dough is smooth, place it in a lightly greased large bowl covered with damp towel and let it rise 60-90 min (or until doubled).
- In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch until combined.
- Butter two 9 x 13" baking pans.
- Liberally flour a large, clean work surface.
- Punch down the dough to remove air bubbles, divide it in half, and transfer half of dough to work surface. Roll the dough out into a large rectangle about 20 x 30 inches wide.
- Spread 1/2 cup (1 stick) of softened butter over the surface of the dough, leaving a 1-inch strip on the top edge without butter.
- Evenly sprinkle half the cinnamon sugar mixture over the butter and press it down lightly into butter with your hands or the rolling pin.
- Starting with the edge of the dough closest to you, gently roll up the dough into a tight log, moistening the 1-inch top edge and sealing it.
- Cut off any uneven ends.
- Cut roll into 12 equal pieces (a little over 2" wide each).
- Place rolls into greased 9x13 pan.
- Repeat with second half of dough.
- Cover with plastic wrap, then set aside in a warm place to rise 1-2 hours, or until rolls have doubled in size and are almost touching each other.
- Prepare frosting right before baking rolls.
- In a bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat together remaining 1/2 cup (1 stick) of butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Add vanilla and lemon juice and beat until combined.
- Pour in powdered sugar and mix on low speed just until incorporated. Then, increase speed to high and beat for about 3-5 minutes.
- Bake rolls in preheated 350°F oven for 25-30 minutes, or until tops start to brown. Do not overbake!
- Once you remove the rolls from the oven, spread half of the frosting on top of them -- this layer will melt into the rolls.
- Once they've cooled down, spread a dollop of the remaining frosting on each roll.