I hope you'll forgive me for being just a little slow in posting this recipe. It's not that it's not a good one...in fact this is probably the yummiest cinnamon roll I've made. For sure, it's my favorite so far. So, why the hesitation? Frankly, it's because I'm on a diet going through a lifestyle change. Not to worry--I haven't completely abandoned the "good stuff". After all, my motto is "everything in moderation". It's just that I'm still in the beginning stages and, while most of this batch is resting in the freezer, it's a little painful looking at the picture. Please bear with me as I learn the moderation process.
I think orange zest may be one of my favorite flavor additions...this roll is full of it!
Orange-White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cinnamon Rolls
Dough:
1 cup milk
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
2 ¼ teaspoons yeast
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 egg, slightly beaten
3-3 ½ cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
Filling:
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
1/4 cup cold butter, cut into 4-5 pieces
1 (3.5-4 oz) bar premium white chocolate
1/2 cup diced macadamia nuts
1 (3.5-4 oz) bar premium white chocolate
1/2 cup diced macadamia nuts
Frosting:
2 tablespoons butter, softened
2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
½ teaspoon vanilla
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
2-3 tablespoons orange juice
Preheat oven to 375 ° F.
I started early on with the orange flavor by putting some in the warmed milk.
In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 cups of the flour and the salt.
In a large mixing bowl, combine milk mixture with yeast, egg, and 2 cups of the flour mixture; beat well. Add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition. When the dough has just pulled together, turn it onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, about 5 minutes. (Alternately, just use the dough hook on your mixer and let the mixer knead the dough for about five minutes).
Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with a clean damp towel. Allow dough to rise until double, about 1 hour. In the mean time, process the brown sugar, cinnamon, orange peel, and white chocolate in a food processor. Add the cold butter and pulse until incorporated.
Bake at 375 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until browned. Remove from oven and frost while warm.
For frosting, beat the cream cheese and the butter in a medium bowl. Add the orange peel and vanilla. Slowly add the powdered sugar and orange juice, beating to desired consistency.
I've said it before--the frosting is the best part.
Hint: to avoid over-consumption, wrap each cinnamon roll in plastic wrap and freeze. To serve, simply nuke the frozen roll for 30 seconds.