Bunny Buns

1 package active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1 cup milk, warmed not quite to boiling
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening (I used 1/2 butter)
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup orange juice
2 Tablespoons grated orange peel
5 1/2 cups flour

Wash hands with soap and water.

Sprinkle yeast in the warm water and set aside.

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

Stir in flour a few cups 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 (I used my Bosch for 5 minutes). 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.

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.

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.

Cover bunnies and let rise in a warm place for 45–60 minutes, until nearly double in size. Bake at 375ºF (190ºC) for 12–15 minutes.

Frost bunnies with the glaze while they are still warm.

Glaze recipes:
1/2 cup sour cream
3/4 cup sugar
2 TB orange juice concentrate
1/4 cup butter

Mix well and then boil without stirring. It's thin, but yummy and has so much flavor (you can add grated orange peel, too) that you don't need to spread it on too thick.

Powdered sugar
orange juice from the zested orange
1/2 t. almond extract

Mix and drizzle on top of hot orange rolls.

Recipe From: Sisters Cafe/Friend