A Family Tradition -Bunny Buns

I am sorry that I am late on this post. You really needed it by Saturday. But go ahead and make some today. Or come snag one from me because seriously they are tempting me.

The original recipe for Bunny Buns was posted in the Friend magazine in 1980. My mom made them that year and we have never gone an Easter without them.

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

1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs, beaten

1/4 cup orange juice

2 tablespoons grated orange peel

5 1/2 cups flour, sifted

Glaze: 2 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup hot water, 1 teaspoon butter

1. 1. 
   Wash hands with soap and water.
2. 2. 
   Sprinkle yeast in the warm water and set aside.
3. 3. 
   In another bowl, blend milk, sugar, shortening, and salt. Cool until lukewarm, then add eggs, water with yeast, orange juice, and orange peel.
4. 4. 
   Stir in flour a few cups at a time to make a soft dough. Let stand for 10 minutes.
5. 5. 
   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.
6. 6. 
   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.
7. 7. 
   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.
8. 8. 
   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.
9. 9. 
   For the glaze, stir powdered sugar, water, and butter together. Frost bunnies with the glaze while they are still warm.

 So sad that our family picture is not in our Easter attire. Not that we actually wore anything special but we definitely looked better.

Egan and Jane planned an awesome Easter Egg hunt full of games and challenges. It was very exciting.

PS - If you are ever a Bishop - don't ask a whole family to speak on Easter Sunday. Serious Stress. But truly it kept us focused on the meaning of Easter and the kids were super speakers!