Cardamom Sweet Rolls

Only a few hours of work left!!! Then hanging out with some friends this evening...saying good-bye for now :( and then Holden Beach here I come!!! :)

Don't expect this recipe to taste like cinnamon rolls, because they won't. I absolutely love this spice, cardamom. I got a container of it at the beginning of the summer and just now got around to using it in a recipe. Hopefully I can find a lot of more really good ones in the future! 

Cardamom Sweet Rolls

• Ingredients:
• Dough:
• 2 1/4 teaspoons yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water
• 1/2 cup greek yogurt
• 3 Tbsp sugar
• 1/4 cup applesauce 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 1/3 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup white whole wheat flour
• Cooking spray
• Filling:
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted, divided
• Glaze:
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons vanilla

1. Directions:
2. 1. To prepare dough, dissolve yeast in warm water in a small bowl; let stand 5 minutes.
3. 2. Combine yogurt, sugar, applesauce, vanilla, egg, and salt in a large bowl, stirring until well blended. Gradually stir yeast mixture into yogurt mixture. Stir in white whole wheat flour and 1 cup all purpose flour.
4. 3. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic (about 8 minutes); add enough of remaining flour to prevent dough from sticking to hands (dough will feel slightly tacky).
5. 4. Place dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 1 hour or until doubled in size. (Gently press two fingers into dough. If indentation remains, dough has risen enough.)
6. 5. To prepare filling, combine brown sugar, and cardamom. Divide dough into two equal portions. Working with 1 portion at a time, roll dough into a 12 x 10–inch rectangle; brush with 1 tablespoon butter. Sprinkle half of filling over dough. Beginning with a long side, roll up jelly-roll fashion; pinch seam to seal (do not seal ends of roll). Repeat procedure with remaining dough, 1 tablespoon butter, and filling. Cut each roll into 12 (1-inch) slices. Place slices, cut sides up, in a 13 x 9–inch baking pan coated with cooking spray. Cover and let rise 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
7. 6. Preheat oven to 350° and bake for 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool in pan 5 minutes on a wire rack. To prepare glaze, combine powdered sugar and vanilla, stirring until smooth. Drizzle glaze over warm rolls.
8. 
   
9. Adapted from Cooking Light.
10.