Monday, April 26, 2010

Food for Comfort: Orange Rolls


Do you ever have one of those days or weeks when life just hits hard?  This weekend was like that for me.  I knew it would be busy.  I had everything planned, including what homework I would finish and when, who would be coming over for meals, what I would cook, household tasks, and more.  Let's just say I was ambitious.  And before my weekend barely began, my plans were knocked out from under me.  I know that times like this happen for a purpose; still, days and weeks like this are hard, frustrating, overly emotional. 


I am thankful for my husband, my family, and my friends who encourage me and remind me to find true and lasting comfort in God, especially in the midst of suffering.  What a great and awesome truth! 

While I look to God as I embark on this next week (with the ever growing to-do list, a bit of exhaustion, and added emotion), there is always something comforting about good food, even if only momentarily.  While the spinach quiche, fresh fruit, and sausage that we enjoyed for brunch today were good, I could eat the whole pan of these orange rolls.  I'm quite certain that eating the entirety would give me great momentary comfort; however, one or two will suffice. 


Orange Rolls

For the rolls:
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (.25 oz package)
1 egg
1/3 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon salt
3 3/4 cups bread flour
 
For the filling:
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup butter, softened
zest of two oranges
 
For the glaze:
3 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
juice of 1/2 orange
1/8 teaspoon salt
 
In a small saucepan, heat the milk and water until the mixture reaches 120 degrees.  Pour the mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook.  Add the sugar and yeast, stir once, and let sit until the mixture bubbles (around 10 minutes). 
 
With the mixer on medium low speed, add the egg, butter, salt and flour.  Increase the speed to medium for 8 minutes.  The dough will be slightly sticky. 
 
Grease a medium metal bowl.  Add the dough, and turn to coat the top.  Cover with a towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for one hour.  After the first rise, deflate the dough, and cover again with the towel while you mix together the filling ingredients. 
 
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll into a 25 x 6 inch rectangle (you may want to split this into two 13 x 6 inch rectangles). Spread with the filling mixture.  Roll up the dough and pinch together.  Slice into 24 one inch slices and place on a baking sheet.  Cover with saran wrap and refrigerate overnight.  Alternately, cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for about 45 minutes.

Let the refrigerated rolls sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.  Preheat the oven to 350°.  Bake in a preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until the tops of the rolls begin to brown.  While the rolls bake, whisk together the icing ingredients until smooth.  Remove the rolls from the oven and top with the icing.


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19 comments :

Carrie said...

Pillsbury Orange Rolls are my favorite ever, I am going to have to try these to compare :)

Writing Without Periods! said...

I so admire people who can bake. These look great.
Mary

grace said...

aw, hang in there! look to the breakfast pastry for strength and sustenance! :)

DessertForTwo said...

My mom used to make the Pillsbury version. Can't wait to try the homemade version!
Hang in there pretty lady! It'll be Friday before you know it.

Julie M. said...

Holy heavens do those look good. I'm definitely a "from scratch" girl, so this is right up my alley. Thanks for sharing!

Tickled Red said...

Too funny, I am eating some right now but your look way better than the Pillsbury version. The monkeys will do flips when I make these :)
I hope that you have a better week.

Unknown said...

Thank you for visiting my blog....which led me to yours! What a lovely blog you have. I look forward to seeing more of your recipes. And these orange rolls sure do look good!!

Unknown said...

Wow these look absolutely stunning, how about I trade u a slice of apple cake for one of these.
*kisses* HH

Dewi said...

Love orange, I am bookmarking your recipe. Thank you....

Megan said...

I have been wanting to try a homemade orange roll for a long time. These look DELICIOUS! My family will love them.

Amy of Sing For Your Supper said...

Oh my gosh these look heavenly!!! MUST try these!!!

The Blonde Duck said...

I think these would make anyone feel better.

Carol said...

Oh....my.....goodness.....those rolls are gorgeous!
I love making bread.......and I have oranges in the refrigerator begging to be used in something wonderful.....uh oh...I do believe this is a sign for sure. I can't wait to try them!
Thank you for visiting our blog...I can't wait to read some more of yours. :)

Aimee @ Ain't Yo Mama's Blog said...

Oh, my. I think I gained a pound just looking at those scrumptious orange rolls! They look positively delicious. I may have to try them out this week.

-Aimee

Molly said...

excuse me while I wipe the drool off my keyboard.....those look sooooo good. thanks for sharing!

Bonnie said...

What beautiful rolls. There is nothing I like better than a good orange rolls. Love your blog.

Red Couch Recipes said...

Your orange rolls look delicious and your weekend sounds like ones I have EVERY week! Joni

Tiara Joy said...

I make one very similar to this... I use Pioneer woman's dough recipe and then spread orange marmalade down instead of butter and then sprinkle brown sugar on top... Sometimes I dot it with butter too then roll it up and make a oj powder sugar glaze... Your glaze sounds heavenly!!

Janis Covington Stufflebean said...

Your blog has the best recipes and presentation of food I have ever seen! These are recipes I would be .comfortable making all the time