Orange dinner rolls

  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Dear SOS: There is a wonderful orange muffin recipe that is highly guarded at the Morrison Lodge in Oregon on the Rogue River, but I have tried and tried to get a copy. It would be a huge coup to get that orange muffin recipe.


Jane Chambers

Via e-mail

Dear Jane: Gently flavored with orange zest and lightly sweetened with sugar, these dinner rolls are shaped like a cinnamon roll and baked in muffin tins, puffed to a rich golden-brown. Morrison's Lodge was happy to share this recipe with us, originally from Elaine Hanton who, with her husband B.A., purchased the lodge in 1964.

Orange dinner rolls

Total time: About 1 hour, plus rising time for the dough

Servings: Makes 2 dozen rolls

Note: Adapted from Morrison's Rogue River Lodge.

Dough

1 cup lukewarm water

1 packet active-dry yeast

3 1/4 cups (13.8 ounces) flour, divided, plus additional for kneading

2 1/2 tablespoons plus 1/3 cup sugar, divided

2 1/2 tablespoons shortening, at room temperature

1 egg, at room temperature

1 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons softened butter

3/4 teaspoon finely grated orange zest

1. In a large bowl, or in the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the water, yeast and one-half cup flour, stirring to dissolve. Set aside just until the yeast is activated (the mixture will begin to bubble), 5 to 10 minutes.