Orange Rolls

I posted this recipe back in April of 2011 and thought I should bring them back up since Christmas is almost here.  I make these for Christmas morning every year.  Easter, too.  I LOVE these rolls.  They are soft, sweet but not too sweet, and bursting with orange flavor.

APRIL 2011:

These are SO GOOD!!! If you love the Pillsbury orange rolls but want a preservative-free alternative, these are your rolls. These are now my favorite breakfast rolls.  Loooove them!

I've adjusted the recipe using rapid rise yeast. I rarely have the patience to wait through two risings, so I prefer the speed of using rapid rise yeast. For directions on how to make these with regular yeast, click on the link to the original recipe. Just note that I have adjusted the amount of orange zest in the dough and changed the filling and frosting from the original.

ORANGE ROLLS
adapted from Orange Cinnamon Rolls on Food.com

1 (0.25 oz) packet (or 2 1/4 tsp.) rapid rise yeast
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup orange juice
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 egg
zest of 1 orange
3 - 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Filling:
2 Tbsp. butter, softened
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
zest of 1 orange

Frosting:
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 Tbsp. orange juice
zest of 1 orange
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 Tbsp. butter, softened

Combine 1 1/2 cups of the flour with the rapid rise yeast, sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl. Combine water, orange juice, and melted butter in a microwave safe bowl or measuring cup and heat to 120-130 degrees. Mix in liquid with flour mixture until smooth. Add egg and orange zest. Beat in enough of remaining flour to make a dough easy to handle.

Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for 5 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Let dough rest 10 minutes in a lightly greased bowl.

Meanwhile, combine 1/4 cup sugar, cinnamon, and orange zest in a small bowl. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 9x15 inch rectangle. Spread with softened butter and sprinkle with sugar mixture. Roll dough, lengthwise into a 15-inch tube, pinching to seal. Using dental floss or serrated knife, cut into 1-inch rolls (should make 15 rolls) and place in lightly greased 9x13 baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until almost doubled in size.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

To make frosting: in a medium size bowl, beat powdered sugar, orange juice, orange zest, vanilla, and butter until smooth. Spread over warm rolls.