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1
To prepare the dough: Combine all the dough ingredients, using the egg yolk and setting the white aside to use in the filling. Mix and knead - by hand, mixer or bread machine - until you have a medium-soft, smooth dough. Cover and allow the dough to rise until it's quite puffy, though probably not doubled in bulk, 1 to 2 hours. While the dough is rising, make the filling.
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2
To prepare the filling: Combine the filling ingredients in a small bowl, stirring until smooth.
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3
Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch, 11-inch-square, 12-inch round or similar-size pan.
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4
To shape the buns: Gently deflate the dough, and transfer it to a lightly greased work surface. Roll and pat it into a 12 x 16-inch rectangle. Spread the filling over the dough, leaving a 1-inch margin along one large edge. If the filling seems too sticky to spread easily, wet your fingers and smear it over the dough the best you can.
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5
Starting with the filling-covered long edge, roll the dough into a log, turning it so the seam is flat against the work surface. Using a serrated knife or dental floss, gently cut it into 16 pieces.
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6
Place the buns in the prepared pan, spacing them evenly; they won't touch one another. Cover the pan with lightly greased plastic wrap or a proof cover, and allow the buns to rise for 1 to 1 1/4 hours. They won't double in size, but will become about half again as large as they were originally. They should barely touch each other. Near the end of the buns' rise, preheat the oven to 350 F.
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7
To bake the buns: Bake the buns, until they're deep golden brown on top, 25 to 28 minutes. Remove them from the oven, and after 3 minutes, carefully turn them out, upside-down, onto a rack. Place another rack, feet side up, on the buns, and invert them once again, so their tops are up. They'll be hot and delicate, so be careful. While the buns are cooling a bit, make the icing.
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8
To finish the buns: Beat together the sugar, vanilla, butter, salt and 2 tablespoons of the milk (or cream) in a medium mixing bowl. Beat in additional milk or cream if the icing is too stiff to spread. Spread the icing on the lukewarm buns. Serve immediately, or cool completely, cover, and store at room temperature. Buns will keep well, covered, for several days.
