A Little Recipe Share

Um, I don't even know where to begin. I actually played Rachel Ray and made some serious orange rolls. They are to. die. for! Let's just say my diet will be suffering until they are gone... and leave it at that.

If you know me very, very personally, you know I hate, pretty much more than most things, to be in the kitchen slaving over a hot stove or oven. To the crockpot inventor person, I say- thank you from the bottom of my heart! I can also make a mean sandwich, you know, the peanut butter and jelly kind? Fast and easy.

One day my sister saw a sign in a magazine and told me that I really should have it for my house. It said "I only have a kitchen because it came with the house." And that, my friends, sums it up to a tee!

See why I'm makin' such a HUGE deal out of these rolls? And they are perfect for Easter... with a little imagination!

Bunny Buns

1 package dry active yeast

1/4 c.warm water

1 c. milk, warmed not quite to boiling

1/3 c. sugar

1/2 c. shortening

1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs, beaten

1/4 c. orange juice

2 Tablespoons grated orange peel

5 1/2 c. flour, sifted

GLAZE: 2c. powdered sugar, 1/4 c. hot water, 1 t. butter

Sprinkle yeast in the warm water and set aside. In a large bowl combine: milk, sugar, shortening, and salt. Cool until lukewarm. Add eggs, water with yeast, orange juice and orange peel. Stir in flour a cup at a time to make a soft dough. Let stand for 10 minutes.

Knead dough 5-10 minutes on a lightly floured surface until dough is smooth and elastic. Place it in a lightly greased bowl, turning once to grease surface. Cover and let rise for 2 hours until doubled in size. 

Punch down and let stand for 10 minutes. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a rectangle 1/2" thick. Cut dough into strips 1/2" wide and 14" long. Roll between hands into rounded snake shapes. Cut one strip into pieces 1/2" long and roll into balls. Place a long strip onto greased baking sheet in a U shape. Twist ends once to create "ear shapes." Place a rounded ball into loop to create a "tail."

Cover and let rise for 45-60 minutes until doubled in size. 

Bake at 375 degrees for 12 minutes.

Mix all ingredients together for glaze and frost while "bunnies" while they are still warm.