Orange Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients

• 1 package active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water (105-115 degrees)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons orange zest
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 3-3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Filling

• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon butter or margarine, softened

Optional Icing

• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 tablespoon orange juice
• 1 tablespoon orange zest (optional)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. 1

   Dissolve yeast in warm water in lg mixer bowl.

2. 2

   Add orange peel, orange juice, sugar, salt, egg, butter and 1 1/2 c of the flour.

3. 3

   Beat 30 seconds on low, scraping bowl constantly; increase speed to medium, beat 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.

4. 4

   Stir in enough of the remaining flour to make a dough easy to handle.

5. 5

   Turn dough out onto floured surface and knead 5 minutes and dough is smooth and elastic.

6. 6

   Cover; let rise in warm place until double, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours (dough is ready if an indentation remains when dough is touched).

7. 7

   Punch dough down and, on a lightly floured surface, roll into a rectangle 15x9".

8. 8

   Spread w/ 1 T butter and sprinkle w/ combined 2 T sugar and 1 t cinnamon.

9. 9

   Roll up, beginning at one of the long sides; pinch edge of dough into roll to seal well; stretch to make roll even.

10. 10

    Cut roll into 15 slices about 1" wide.

11. 11

    Place slices slightly apart in a greased oblong baking pan, 13x9x2", or in greased muffin cups.

12. 12

    Cover and let rise until double, about 30 minutes.

13. 13

    Bake in a 375 degree preheated oven until rolls are golden brown, about 25 to 30 minutes.

14. 14

    If desired, mix together confectioner's sugar, orange juice, orange peel, and vanilla; frost while warm.

15. 15

    Recipe is easily doubled.