Delicious Gingerbread Rolls

INGREDIENTS

For the dough:

• 1/4 c. granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp. dry active yeast (not instant or rapid rise)
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 3/4 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/8 tsp. ground cloves
• 3 1/2 c. all-purpose flour, divided
• 1 c. whole milk
• 2 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for bowl
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp. molasses

For the filling and assembly:

• 1/2 c. packed light brown sugar
• 6 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for pan
• 1 tbsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
• All-purpose flour, for work surface

For the topping:

• 4 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/3 c. confectioners sugar, divided
• 2 tsp. molasses
• 1 tsp. warm water

DIRECTIONS

Make the dough:

1. Whisk together sugar, yeast, cinnamon, ginger, salt, cloves, and 1 3/4 cups flour in a bowl. Combine milk and butter in a small saucepan. Cook over low heat until the butter has melted and mixture reads between 105°F and 110°F on an instant-read thermometer.
2. Add milk mixture, egg, and molasses to flour mixture. Beat with a dough hook attached to a stand mixer, on low speed, until moistened. Continue beating, gradually adding remaining 1 3/4 cups flour, until smooth and pliable, 4 to 5 minutes.
3. Transfer dough to a lightly buttered mixing bowl; cover with plastic wrap or a towel. Set bowl in a warm place and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Make the filling and assemble:

1. Combine brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves in a bowl.
2. Butter a 9- by 13-inch or 8- by 8-inch baking dish. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 12- by 16-inch rectangle. Spread with cinnamon-sugar mixture. Starting from the long side, roll up into a log. Cut into 12 (if using a 9- by 13-inch baking dish) or 9 (if using an 8- by 8-inch baking dish) pieces and place, cut sides up, in prepared dish. Cover with a towel and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour. Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake until cooked through and lightly browned, 20 to 25 minutes.

Make the topping:

1. Combine cream cheese, vanilla, and 1 cup confectioners sugar in a bowl. Whisk together molasses, water, and remaining 1/3 cup confectioners sugar in a separate bowl. Spread cream cheese mixture on warm rolls, then drizzle with molasses glaze.