Orange Rolls

Here in Texas we are spoiled with sunshine. No inversions around here, no misty lingering fog, and very few overcast days. We've had a few of rainy, cloudy days this week and while I'm grateful for whatever rain we can get, the lack of morning sunshine is just about enough to make me want to stay in yoga pants and sit and read a book all hours of the day. (Can I hear a big "WAH" from all of you that are still in the never ending winter?) The only other activity that seems acceptable is making cinnamon rolls. So yesterday I found this alternative recipe and cooked up these nice sunshiny orange rolls. By the time they were done the sun was shining and it was hot and muggy outside. But at least they served their purpose to get me going and as a bonus, they tasted great.

adapted from Sophistimom

Ingredients:

1/2 cup warm milk

1 cup warm water

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

3 egg yolks

1 egg

1 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons sugar

4 1/2 - 5 cups bread flour

1 tablespoon yeast (scant)

5 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature

zest of two oranges

2 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon ground cardamon (I used 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon ginger, 1/4 teaspoon cloves)

cream cheese frosting (recipe below)

Directions:

Put milk, water, melted butter, egg yolks, egg, salt, sugar, flour and yeast in a bread machine pan. (Or check out Sophistimom for directions using a mixer.) Set on dough setting. Mix and let rise once. Punch down dough and and let rest for 3 minutes. Roll out into a large rectangle (about 12x20 inches).

Mix room temperature butter with orange zest. Spread the mixture over the entire surface of the dough. Mix powdered sugar with cardamon or other spices in a small bowl. Use a sieve and sprinkle sugar mixture over the butter.

Starting on a 20 inch edge, roll the dough up loosely. Make slices 3 inches apart. Place rolls one inch apart, swirl side up, on a parchment lined baking sheet. Cover with tea towel and let rise in a warm place until double in size (about 30 minutes). Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and bake for 25 minutes until golden brown.

For the frosting:

4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

zest of 2 oranges

juice of 1/2 an orange

Cream butter and cream cheese together. Stir in sugar, vanilla, orange zest, and juice. Mix until smooth. Spread over warm rolls.