Ingredients

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Ingredients

for the dough:

• Use your favorite cinnamon roll dough recipe—I used Sarah Kieffer's recipe for the dough. Follow prep instructions.

for the filling:

• 12-15 Medjool dates, pitted
• 2 cups of simmering hot water
• 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/2 tsp salt
• zest of 1 orange
• 1-2 tablespoons orange juice

for the orange cream cheese frosting:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 4 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
• 1 - 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• zest of 1/2 an orange

Instructions

1. Prep your favorite cinnamon roll dough. Make the date paste during final rise.
2. To make the date paste, add about 2 cups of water to a stovetop pot and bring to a simmer or to a tea kettle. Add the pitted dates to a large bowl and pour over the hot water. Let the dates sit in the water for about 20-30 minutes until they are soft.
3. In a food processor, add the softened dates (reserve the water), cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, salt, and orange zest and juice. Blend until the mixture is smooth. Taste and adjust spices. If you like your mixture a little sweeter, you can add a tablespoon of coconut sugar, but I think these come out sweet enough without. If the paste is too thick, add a tablespoon of the date water at a time if needed.
4. Roll out your dough into a 12 x 16 inch rectangle and spread the date paste into an even layer on the dough. Starting with the long side, roll the dough into a tight log. Using a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss, cut the dough into 1-2 inch thick rolls (depending on how big you like your cinnamon rolls).
5. Place the rolls into a prepped pan and follow your dough instructions if the rolls need another rise and follow dough instructions for the baking directions.
6. While the rolls are baking, prep the frosting. Add the cream cheese, butter powdered sugar, salt, vanilla, orange juice and zest into a bowl. Mix until smooth using a hand mixer or whisk. Taste and adjust sugar if needed.
7. When the rolls are done baking, remove from oven and spread over 1/2 cup of frosting on the warm rolls. Set aside and let come to room temperature. When slightly cooler, spread over additional frosting. Enjoy!