Brown Sugar Cinnamon Buns

Dough

1½ teaspoons instant yeast

2 tablespoons warm water

½ cup warm milk

2 cups all-purpose flour

½ cup whole wheat flour

½ teaspoon kosher salt

¼ cup granulated sugar

1 egg

½ cup unsalted butter, softened

¼ cup cream cheese, softened

1 teaspoon vegetable oil

Filling

1 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ground cardamom

½ cup ground pecans

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Method

Combine warm water and milk, stir in yeast, and set aside briefly. Place flours, salt, and sugar in bowl of electric mixer. Add yeast mixture and egg and mix until dough forms. With mixer on low, add butter and cream cheese a little at a time, mixing just until incorporated. Transfer dough to lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise until slightly puffed, about 1 hour.

Combine filling ingredients. Roll dough on lightly floured surface into a rectangle about ½ inch thick. Spread filling evenly over dough, roll up lengthwise, and cut into 8 pieces. Arrange buns snugly in lightly oiled 8-inch round baking dish. Cover loosely and let rise until slightly puffy, 20–30 minutes.

Heat oven to 350°F. Bake until golden and cooked through, about 30 minutes.