Active Time

　　1 hr

　　Total Time

　　4 hr

　　

Ingredients

Makes 12 large buns

　　

For dough:

1 2/3 cups warm milk (105°F)

　　4 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast (2 packages, 1/4 ounces each)

　　3 tablespoons granulated sugar

　　1 stick unsalted butter, softened

　　2 large eggs

　　1 tablespoon salt

　　6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

　　

For walnut filling:

1 cup walnuts (4 ounces), finely chopped

　　3/4 cup granulated sugar

　　1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

　　1 tablespoon cinnamon

　　3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

　　2 cups golden raisins

　　

For glaze:

2 ounces cream cheese, softened

　　2 1/2 cups confectioners sugar, sifted

　　3 tablespoons fresh orange juice

　　1/2 teaspoon vanilla

　　

Make dough:

Step 1

Mix milk, yeast, and sugar in a standing electric mixer fitted with whisk attachment until combined well. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.

　　

Step 2

Add butter, eggs, salt, and 3 cups flour and beat until smooth. Fit mixer with dough-hook attachment and, with mixer on medium-high speed, gradually knead in remaining 3 1/2 cups flour, occasionally scraping down side of bowl with a rubber spatula, until dough is smooth and elastic, about 6 minutes.

　　

Step 3

Transfer dough to a large oiled bowl, turning to coat, and cover with plastic wrap. Let dough rise in a warm place until almost doubled in bulk, about 1 1/2 hours.

　　

Make walnut filling while dough is rising:

Step 4

Stir together walnuts, sugars, and cinnamon.

　　

Shape, fill, and bake buns:

Step 5

Punch down dough, then halve it. Pat each piece into a flat rectangle and cover 1 piece with plastic wrap. Roll out remaining dough on a lightly floured surface with a lightly floured rolling pin into a 17- by 13-inch rectangle (about 1/4 inch thick). Brush top with half of melted butter and sprinkle evenly with half of filling and raisins. Roll up, beginning with a short side, to form a 13-inch log and press seam to seal. Cut log crosswise into 6 pieces and arrange, cut sides up, in 2 rows of 3 buns in half of a buttered 13- by 9- by 2-inch metal baking pan. Make 6 more buns in same manner and let buns rise 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F.

　　

Step 6

Bake buns in middle of oven until golden brown, about 40 to 45 minutes.

　　

Make glaze while buns bake:

Step 7

Beat together glaze ingredients with an electric mixer until smooth.

　　

Step 8

Cool buns in pan on a rack 15 minutes, then spoon glaze evenly over warm buns.

　　Cooks' note:

　　Yes, we mean 1 tablespoon, not 1 teaspoon, of salt for the dough; with 6 1/2 cups of flour, it is needed.