Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rum Rolls

Ingredients

• 2 scant tablespoons or 2 (1/4-ounce) packages active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water (about 110 degrees)
• 1 1/2 cups warm milk (about 110 degrees)
• 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
• 1/2 cup honey
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 3 tablespoons soy flour (optional)
• 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons cinnamon
• 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon rum extract
• 5 to 7 tablespoons heavy cream

Directions

In a large bowl, stir yeast into water to soften. Add milk, shortening, honey, eggs, lemon juice, salt, soy flour, and 2 cups whole wheat flour. Beat vigorously for 2 minutes. Gradually add flour, 1/4 cup at a time, until the dough begins to pull away from the side of the bowl.

Turn dough onto a floured work surface. Knead, adding flour a little at a time, until you have a smooth, elastic dough. Place dough into an oiled bowl. Turn to coat the entire ball of dough with oil. Cover with a tightly woven towel and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.

Turn dough onto a lightly oiled work surface and divide in half. Roll each half with a rolling pin into a 12 by 18-inch rectangle. Brush dough with melted butter, leaving a 1/2-inch border along one long side of the rectangle free of butter.

Combine brown sugar, cinnamon, raisins, and nuts. Sprinkle evenly over each portion of dough. Roll up into 2 (18-inch) cylinders and pinch the loose edge to the cylinder. Cut into 30 rolls (15 from each cylinder) and place cut-side up into 2 parchment-lined 9 by 13-inch pans. Cover with a tightly woven towel and let rise until almost doubled, about 45 minutes.

About 10 minutes before baking, preheat oven to 375 degrees (350 if using glass pans). Bake for 20 minutes or until the internal temperature of the rolls reaches 190 degrees. Leave the rolls in the pan to cool since they benefit from the steam -- it makes them softer. Allow the rolls to cool for 15 minutes.

Combine powdered sugar, rum extract, and milk. Mixture should be the consistency of honey (if it isn't, adjust by adding more cream to thin it or powdered sugar to thicken it). Drizzle over the top of the rolls.