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1
In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. In a large bowl, combine pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar, butter, salt, yeast mixture and 3 cups flour; beat on medium speed until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough.
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2
Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
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3
For filling, in a small bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Gradually beat in cream, lemon zest and vanilla.
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4
Punch down dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Divide dough in half. Roll one portion into an 18x12-in. rectangle. Spread half of the filling lengthwise down half of the dough to within 1/2 in. of edges. Fold dough over filling; seal edges. Cut into eighteen 1-in. strips. Twist and loosely coil each strip. Tuck end under; pinch to seal.
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5
Place 2 in. apart on greased
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6
. Cover with kitchen towels; let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes. Repeat with remaining dough and filling.
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7
Preheat oven to 375u00b0. Bake twists until golden brown, 15 minutes. Remove to wire racks.
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8
For icing, in a large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth. Stir in lemon juice. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes or until mixture is thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in confectioners' sugar and lemon zest until blended. Drizzle over warm twists. Sprinkle with almonds. Refrigerate leftovers.
