Sweet Tahini and Pistachio Cinnamon Rolls

• After measuring the flour (for the dough) remove 1/2 cup and reserve for use if necessary, you may only need a portion of the 1/2 cup of flour.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, stir together flour, sugar, salt, yeast and cardamom.
• Combine the water, milk and butter in a glass measuring cup. Heat in the microwave on high for about 30 seconds until butter melts and mixture is warm (approx. 115°F or 46°C).
• Add the liquid to the flour, and combine with the flour mixture.
• Add the egg and knead on the dough hook for 3 minutes. Add more flour (from the 1/2 cup you reserved earlier) as necessary to create a smooth, and slightly sticky dough.
• You could also remove the dough from the bowl and on a lightly floured surface, knead the dough by hand for about 3 minutes.
• Place the dough into a lightly greased bowl and let it rest for 10 minutes.

To prepare the filling:

• Finely chop the pistachios.
• In a small bowl mix the brown sugar, cinnamon and cardamom.
• To roll the dough, start by lightly flouring your surface and the rolling pin, roll dough to a 1/4 inch thickness. Adding a little more flour if the dough is too sticky.
• Roll the dough into a 14-inches long and 8-inches tall rectangle.
• Spread tahini onto dough (leaving a 1/2 inch border on all sides), sprinkle with brown sugar and spices, and top with the finely chopped pistachios.
• Start rolling the dough from the long end into a tight log. Lightly pinch the seam.
• Place the log with the seam side down, and using a sharp knife cut dough crosswise into approximately 12 even slices.
• Arrange the pieces cut side up into a greased pie dish and cover loosely with greased aluminum foil.
• Let dough rise in a warm draft free spot approximately 60 to 90 min. You could turn your oven on and heat to 200°F, once heated turn the oven off and place rolls in oven. Doing it this way took the rolls about 45 min to double in size.
• Once the rolls have doubled in size, remove them from the oven (if that's where you had let them rise).
• Position a rack in the center and preheat your oven to 375°F.
• Bake rolls until tops are golden, about 20 to 25 minutes, you may want to cover your rolls (with aluminum foil) half way through baking to avoid over browning.
• Remove rolls from the oven and let cool 10 - 15 minutes.

To make the glaze:

• Combine the icing sugar, milk, vanilla extract, freshly squeezed orange or lemon juice and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Whisk until there are no lumps.
• Drizzle the still warm rolls with glaze and sprinkle with additional chopped pistachios if desired.
• These rolls should be served and enjoyed while still warm.