orange rolls

This orange roll recipe is my mom's recipe and seriously. . .a little bit of heaven. This recipe is so special that I felt like I had to ask permission to post it (and I did--ask permission.) 
I always feel a little spoiled when my mom makes these fluffy pieces of orange heaven. . . especially when we come home (from out of town) to visit (namely for the holidays.) They definitely deserve a spot in A Season to Feast. So, count yourself very lucky to have your hands on this exceptional, near & dear orange roll recipe. A true favorite.
Thank you, mom.
This recipe makes 3 dozen rolls. The best thing about this recipe is that you can freeze the pans you might not need and use them another day. Just remove from the freezer 30 - 60 minutes before baking, bake as directed, and they are ready to go!

To make:
Prepare 1 cup mashed potatoes. (Use leftover mashed potatoes or instant mashed potatoes--follow directions as indicated for the instant mashed potatoes, but omit any salt & butter that it calls for.) Let cool slightly, if hot.

To your mixer, add:
2 tablespoons yeast
1/2 cup warm water
1 tablespoon sugar.

Let sit for 5 - 8 minutes. At this time, prepare your scalded milk (below). Heat 2 cups of milk in a glass bowl for about 2 minutes in microwave. Set aside.

To the yeast mixture add:
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup mashed potatoes
2 eggs
2 teaspoons salt
2 cups scalded milk, cool slightly
7 cups flour

Mix on medium speed, using your flat beater or dough hook,  for 8 - 10 minutes. Cover bowl and let dough sit for 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours (till double in size.)

Prepare filling by mixing together:
1 cup melted butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
Zest from 1 orange

Set filling aside.

Remove dough from bowl and place on floured surface. Shape into a log. Let dough sit for about 5 minutes. Divided dough into 3 equal sections. Roll 1 piece of dough out into a 10" x 16" (or 12" x 18") rectangle. Spread 1/3 of the filling mixture evenly over surface. Roll dough up jellyroll style. Cut roll into 1 1/2" pieces and place directly in muffin tin. Repeat with other sections of dough. When finished, let dough rest/raise for about 30 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Let cool for about 10 minutes and then drizzle with icing.

Icing:
2 cups powdered sugar
Juice from 1 orange
1 - 2 tablespoons milk, if necessary

Mix well. Drizzle icing, with spoon, over warm rolls. Serve.

If you can't eat all three pans (I know you'll want too) place plastic wrap tightly over rolls (don't let dough raise) and place in freezer. Remove from freezer 30 - 60 minutes before baking. Bake as directed.