Orange Rolls (Southern Living, 1980)

My little sister, Audry, assigned these to me for this month.  It wasn't a disaster, but wasn't the best, either.  We had a going away party for our neighbors who are moving (we HATE that they are leaving us!) and so I thought, "Hey, I can make these for a party!"  Only, I didn't end up taking them.  Wasn't a "show" dish if you know what I mean.

I did think about my little sister quite a bit when making these, though.  I had an "incident" with the orange butter.  The bowl I selected wasn't quite large enough for the hand mixer I decided I needed to use... The results were very reminiscent of the time that Audry and I were making a marina sauce and forgot that a hot blender explodes.  Right when my husband got home.  We are still finding marina sauce splatters in random ceiling-type of locations to this day.

Aud, this was *that* bad - but then Chris stayed in the living room and I think I cleaned it all up.

Because my intent was to take these for a party (and I didn't really have the time to devote to it) - I didn't make them gluten free.  And I followed the recipe pretty closely.  

Orange Rolls

1 pkg Rapid Rise Highly Active Yeast

1/4 cup warm water

1 cup scalded milk

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 egg, beaten

2 cups All Purpose Flour

1 1/2 cups Whole Wheat AP Flour

Orange Butter

6 tbls margarine

1/2 cup sugar

3 tbls applesauce

Zest of 2 oranges

* Combine all ingredients with a mixer until fluffy

** For the rolls -

* Because I used the Yeast that I had, I did not do a first rise or the proofing.  I simply combined the flour, yeast and sugar.  Add in the scalded milk and warm water - beat on low in mixer until combined.

* Add in oil and egg, beat until a ball forms. 

* Let rest for 10 - 15 minutes while you make the orange butter.

* Separate the dough into two balls and roll out separately into rectangles (or the general rectangle shape - I don't get stuck on specifics)

* Spread butter on top of the rectangle and roll up long wise.  Do not pinch the edges, but cut into about 1 - 1 1/2 inch rolls.  Leave about 1/2 inch apart in 2 9-inch cake pans.

At this point, let the dough rise until about doubled in size.  The recipe says about 30 minutes.  I did yoga, so it was over an hour that these had time to rise... but double they did.

* Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes.  

Before baking, I spread some of the remaining orange butter on top of one pan - and then added to the other pan after baking.  Couldn't tell a difference.  Either way is fine.

I forgot to take a finished product pic.  Whoops.  The final product was dry.  Even reducing the heat from what the original recipe said, I should have reduced the time, too.  They were pretty good.  Not too sweet - but due to the dryness, we did not present these at a party.  I had to buy store made hummus instead.  I had good intentions, that counts for something.  I'm sure of it.  2 1/2 stars - good flavor, but not realistic for us to ever want to make again.

- Chery