**Yields:** 12 rolls
**Prep time:** 30 minutes
**Cook time:** 25-30 minutes

**Ingredients:**

*Dough:*
* 1 cup warm milk (105-115°F)
* 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
* ½ cup granulated sugar
* 1 teaspoon salt
* ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
* 2 large eggs
* 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
* 1 teaspoon ube extract
* ½ cup ube halaya (purple yam jam), optional

*Filling:*
* ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
* ¾ cup packed brown sugar
* 3 tablespoons ube powder
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

*Cream Cheese Frosting:*
* 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
* ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
* 2 cups powdered sugar
* ¼ cup milk
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* Pinch of salt

**Instructions**

*Make the Dough:*

1. In a large bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
2. Add salt, melted butter, eggs, ube extract, and ube halaya (if using). Mix well.
3. Gradually add flour, mixing until a soft dough forms.
4. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. Place dough in a greased bowl, turning to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.

*Make the Filling:*

1. In a medium bowl, combine softened butter, brown sugar, ube powder, and cinnamon. Mix until well combined.

*Assemble the Rolls:*

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Punch down the risen dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.
3. Roll the dough into a large rectangle, about 12×18 inches.
4. Spread the filling evenly over the dough.
5. Tightly roll the dough up from one of the long edges.
6. Cut the roll into 12 equal slices.
7. Place the slices in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
8. Cover and let rise for another 30 minutes.
9. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.

*Make the Frosting:*

1. While the rolls are baking, prepare the frosting. In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until well combined.
3. Add milk, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat until smooth and fluffy.

*Frost and Serve:*

1. Let the cinnamon rolls cool slightly before frosting.
2. Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the warm rolls.
3. Serve immediately and enjoy!

**Notes:**
* For a richer flavor, use brown butter in the dough.
* Ube halaya can be found in most Asian supermarkets.
* If you don’t have ube powder, you can use more ube extract.
* Store leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
* The dough can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator overnight.
* For best results, use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment.

• For a richer flavor, use brown butter in the dough.
• Ube halaya can be found in most Asian supermarkets.
• If you don’t have ube powder, you can use more ube extract.
• Store leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• The dough can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator overnight.
• For best results, use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment.