Ingredients

  • 34 cup 1% low-fat milk
  • 14 cup half-and-half
  • 14 cup plain yogurt
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
  • 3 cups white whole wheat flour
  • 12 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 14 teaspoons fast rise yeast (instant, equal to 2 envelopes)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil, for coating bowl
  • 34 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 4 ounces low-fat cream cheese, room temperature (neufchatel cheese)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons butter, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 teaspoons 1% low-fat milk

Method

  • For the dough: combine milk and butter in a pyrex-type measuring cup, microwave on high about 1 minute until butter is melted and milk is warm.
  • Mix in yogurt until smooth.
  • Pour into mixing bowl, add cup of whole wheat pastry flour, sugar, egg, yeast and salt.
  • Mix well for about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add remaining (white) flour a bit at a time and mix until combined and sticky.
  • Turn out to a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 5-10 minutes.
  • Place oil in bowl and coat sides, add dough and turn around to coat all sides of dough.
  • Cover and leave in a warm place to rise, about 90 minutes, until doubled.
  • Prepare the filling: mix sugar and cinnamon together well until it resembles sand.
  • Coat a 9 x 13 baking pan with nonstick spray.
  • When dough has risen, punch down and roll on a floured surface to a large rectangle, about the size of a cookie sheet (15 x 10).
  • Use a pastry brush to spread melted butter over dough, leaving about 1/2 inch margin around sides.
  • Sprinkle cinnamon-sugar mixture over melted butter.
  • Starting at a long side of the dough, gently roll dough up into a log shape.
  • Pinch the seam closed.
  • Cut about 3/4 inch slices, place each on cut sides in 9 x 13 inch baking pan.
  • Set aside, covered, in a warm spot to rise again, about 45 minutes.
  • Alternatively, you may let them rise overnight in the refrigerator.
  • Cover well with plastic wrap or lid.
  • In the morning, take out of refrigerator, and set in a warm spot for 35-40 minutes to come to room temperature and finish rising.
  • Preheat oven to 375F.
  • Bake for 20 minutes, until golden, on a center rack in the oven.
  • Remove from oven and immediately invert to cooling rack, let cool for 10 minutes.
  • Place right side up on serving dish.
  • For the glaze: combine room-temperature cream cheese and butter in a mixer on medium speed, scraping down sides as necessary.
  • Add in powdered sugar at lowest speed until coarsely combined, then increase speed to medium.
  • Add vanilla and milk, continue mixing until smooth, scraping sides of bowl to combine thoroughly.
  • Spread glaze onto warm rolls, serve immediately!