First Snow

Directions

1. 1
   Combine milk and yeast in the mixing bowl of a standing mixer.
2. 2
   Add the molasses, brown sugar, spice, flour, and salt to the sponge.
3. 3
   Whisk sugar with orange zest and orange juice in a small bowl until smooth.
4. 4
   Whisk and let sit for 5 minutes.
5. 5
   Add the eggs.Beat with the paddle attachment on low speed for 2 minutes, until the eggs are absorbed. Increase the speed to medium and knead the dough for 5 minutes.Switch to the dough hook at this point.The dough will be sticky. Hold the mixer when necessary if it starts to dance on you.Turn the machine down to medium low speed and add the butter, 2 TBSP at a time.Knead for another 5 minutes, until the dough is shiny.Scrape out the dough and clean and lightly oil the bowl. Dont worry if the dough is difficult to work with (it will be).
6. 6
   Pour glaze over buns.
7. 7
   Place the dough in the bowl then turn it over so that the top is oiled. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature for 2 hours, until doubled.When dough is has doubled in volume, punch it down by folding it two or three times. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.After the second rise, the dough is ready to be shaped.Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.Using a rolling pin, roll it into a rectangle approximately 12 by 16 inches.Use a pastry brush(or your hands if you like to get messy) to spread 3 TBSP of butter around the rolled out dough, leaving an 1-inch margin at the top edge with no butter.
8. 8
   Sprinkle filling evenly over the surface, again leaving the 1-inch margin.Starting from the long side closest to you, roll up the dough like a jellyroll.
9. 9
   Transfer the log to a baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 10 minutes.This will make cutting the buns clean and even.
10. 10
    Remove from freezer, cut buns into 1 -inch pieces, you should get around 1
11. 11
    Place them back onto a greased baking pan.
12. 12
    Spread out so they are not touching.Wrap with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours.Preheat the oven to 400F.
13. 13
    Bake buns for 10 minutes and reduce heat to 350F.