Orange Cinnamon Rolls

Posted in response to a request for Orange Cinnamon Rolls, similar to the Pillsbury refrigerated rolls. Recipe is from Betty Crocker's "Breads" cookbook, published in 1974. The first time I try a recipe, I like to write the date beside it. I see that I first made these on May 30, 1977 and my comment was: "VG" ("very good")... (Cooking time includes 2 hrs for letting the dough rise.)

• Ready In: 2 hrs 55 mins
• Serves: 15

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 2  tablespoons margarine
• 3 -3 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour

• Filling

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

• Optional Icing

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

Directions

1. Dissolve yeast in warm water in lg mixer bowl.
2. Add orange peel, orange juice, sugar, salt, egg, butter and 1 1/2 c of the flour.
3. Beat 30 seconds on low, scraping bowl constantly; increase speed to medium, beat 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.
4. Stir in enough of the remaining flour to make a dough easy to handle.
5. Turn dough out onto floured surface and knead 5 minutes and dough is smooth and elastic.
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. Punch dough down and, on a lightly floured surface, roll into a rectangle 15x9".
8. Spread w/ 1 T butter and sprinkle w/ combined 2 T sugar and 1 t cinnamon.
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. Cut roll into 15 slices about 1" wide.
11. Place slices slightly apart in a greased oblong baking pan, 13x9x2", or in greased muffin cups.
12. Cover and let rise until double, about 30 minutes.
13. Bake in a 375 degree preheated oven until rolls are golden brown, about 25 to 30 minutes.
14. If desired, mix together confectioner's sugar, orange juice, orange peel, and vanilla; frost while warm.
15. Recipe is easily doubled.