Bunny Buns

This was the choice for our Family Home Evening treat this week. They were really soft and yummy! I decreased the orange zest a bit and used orange juice instead of water and butter for the glaze. They puffed a little more than I thought they would, so next time I'll leave the ears a little longer. I went to put some little sprinkles on for eyes, but then I realized these were supposed to be 'buns' with a tail. Maybe I shouldn't be so technical next time and our bunnies will have eyes in the back of their heads... :)

-The Friend, April 2011 - slightly modified

1 package active dry yeast (2 ½ tsp)

¼ cup warm water

1 cup milk, warmed not quite to boiling

1/3 cup sugar

½ cup shortening

1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs, beaten

¼ cup orange juice

zest of 1 orange

5 ½ cups flour, sifted

Glaze: 2 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup orange juice

1.     Sprinkle yeast in the warm water and set aside.

2.     In another bowl, blend milk, sugar, shortening, and salt. Cool until lukewarm, then add eggs, water with yeast, orange juice, and orange zest.

3.     Stir in flour a few cups at a time to make a soft dough. Let stand for 10 minutes.

4.     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 bowl with a clean towel and put it in a warm place. Let dough rise for 2 hours, or until double in size. Punch dough down and let stand for 10 minutes.

5.     On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a rectangle 1/2 inch thick. Cut dough into strips 1/2 inch wide and 14 inches long. Roll between hands into rounded snake shapes. Cut one strip into pieces 1/2 inch long, and roll into balls.

6.     Place one long piece of dough on a greased cookie sheet. Place one end of the strip over the other to make a loop; bring the end that is underneath up and cross it over the other end. Place a ball of dough on top of the bottom loop.

7.     Cover bunnies and let rise in a warm place for 45–60 minutes (30 min), until nearly double in size. Bake at 375ºF (350 if using dark pan) for 12–15 minutes.

8.     For the glaze, stir powdered sugar and orange juice together. Frost the bunnies with the glaze while they are still warm.