Orange Rolls

Step 1

YEAST MIXTURE: Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Stir and set aside.

Step 2

MILK MIXTURE: Scald milk on the stove or in the microwave. Add salt, sugar, and butter. Whisk until dissolved. Let cool.

Step 3

DOUGH: Combine potato flakes with the hot water. Should be smooth, but thick. Add a little extra water, if needed. Set aside.

Step 4

Beat egg and place in a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment. Add yeast mixture, milk mixture, and mashed potatoes. Gradually add flour. It will be a sticky dough, so don't add too much more than the 4 cups of flour, but make sure that when it kneads it is moving around well. Knead 5-10 minutes.

Step 5

Empty the sticky dough into a greased bowl. Cover with a towel and let rest for 1 hour.

Step 6

ORANGE FILLING: While dough is rising combine the sugar, ginger, and orange zest in a bowl so the zest has a chance to flavor the sugar. Once the dough has risen, add just enough orange juice to the sugar mixture form a thick clumpy mixture like wet sand. (About ¼ cup orange juice.)

Step 7

Empty rested dough onto a floured surface. Sprinkle top with flour and pat dough flat. Using a floured rolling pin, roll dough into a rectangle, lifting the dough periodically to make sure it is not sticking to the countertop; dust with flour as necessary. Roll dough 1/2-inch thick; about 10x15-inches.

Step 8

Spread the dough evenly with 3 Tbsp of very soft, unsalted butter. Then spread the orange/sugar mixture over the top. Roll the dough up tightly, starting from the top, long edge to the bottom, long edge. Stretch and pull the dough taut as you roll, to keep the orange-sugar firm inside.

Step 9

Cut 12 rolls using floss or string. Place onto a greased baking sheet with ends inward to help keep from unrolling once they raise. Cover the rolls with a towel (I like to use a LIGHTLY damp towel) and let raise for another 30-60 minutes or until puffy and nearly doubled.

Step 10

Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place risen rolls in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until a thermometer inserted into a center roll reads 190 degrees Fahrenheit. (You may also check doneness by pressing the center -- if it springs back, it's done.)

Step 11

While rolls are baking prepare the GLAZE. In a medium-sized bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar, zest, and 2 Tbsp of orange juice. Blend until smooth and creamy. Top warm rolls with glaze. Serve while still warm.