Ingredients
-
3/4 cup
part-skim ricotta cheese
( or cottage cheese)
-
1/3 cup
low-fat buttermilk
-
1/4 cup
sugar
-
2 ounces
unsalted butter
-
1 teaspoon
vanilla extract
-
9 ounces
all-purpose flour
( about 2 cups)
-
1 tablespoon
baking powder
-
1/2 teaspoon
salt
-
1/4 teaspoon
baking soda
-
3/4 ounce
unsalted butter
-
2/3 cup
brown sugar, packed
-
1 1/2 teaspoons
cinnamon
-
1/2 teaspoon
ground allspice
-
1/4 teaspoon
ground cardamom
-
2 ounces
mascarpone cheese, room temperature
-
1/2 cup
powdered sugar
( to taste)
-
1 tablespoon
milk
-
1 teaspoon
vanilla extract
Directions
- Heat the oven to 400°F
- Grease the sides and bottom of a 8 or 9″ baking pan with cooking spray.
- Combine the ricotta cheese, buttermilk, sugar, melted butter, and vanilla in food processor and process until smooth, about 10 seconds.
- Add the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda and pulse in short bursts just until the dough clumps together (don’t over-process).
- The dough will be soft and moist.
- Dump the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it with floured hands 4 or 5 times until smooth (it really only takes 4-5 times).
- With a rolling pin, roll the dough into a 12×15-inch rectangle.
- Brush the dough with the melted butter, leaving a 1/2-inch border unbuttered around the edges.
- In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar and spices.
- Sprinkle the mixture over the buttered area of the dough and press gently into the surface.
- Starting at a long edge, roll up the dough jelly-roll style. Pinch the seam to seal, and leave the ends open.
- With a sharp knife, cut the roll into equal pieces (8-12 pieces).
- Set the pieces, cut side up, in the prepared pan; they should fill the pan and touch slightly, but don’t worry if there are small gaps.
- Bake until golden brown and firm to the touch, 20 to 28 minutes.
- Set the pan on a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes.
- Run a spatula around the inside edge of the pan to loosen the rolls, and transfer them to a serving plate.
- In a small bowl, mix the softened mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla to make a smooth glaze.
- Add milk as needed to achieve desired consistency.
- Spread or drizzle onto warm rolls.
- Let stand 10 minutes (or as long as you can stand) and serve.