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Orange Cinnamon Rolls

Sweet, pillowy, ultra soft Orange Cinnamon Rolls made with fresh orange juice. They are truly a treat and perfect for brunch!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Additional Time
3 hrs
Total Time
3 hrs 35 mins
Servings: 9 rolls
Calories: 454 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the dough
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1, .25 oz. package active dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp.)
  • 1/2 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temp
  • 1 large egg yolk, room temp
  • 3 cups bread flour, spooned leveled, plus more for dusting
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
For the filling
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon or more if you like them really cinnamon-y
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temp
  • 1 Tbsp. orange zest
For the glaze
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1-2 Tbsp. orange juice

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat the milk and butter in a small saucepan just until it reaches 105°F-115°F. It should be lukewarm so this won't take long at all. Or you can simply microwave it for 30-45 seconds. If milk gets too hot, it will kill the yeast and oh em gee we don't want that! 
  2. Pour the milk/butter mixture into the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and sprinkle the yeast on top. 
  3. Then add in the orange juice, sugar, egg, and yolk. Mix on medium-low just until combined. 
  4. Add the flour and salt and mix again just until combined. (we’ll use the heavy cream later on). 
  5. Add the dough hook and with the mixer still on medium-low speed, knead the dough for ~8 minutes. Knead just until the dough is pulling away from the sides of your mixer, but is tacky (not sticky) to the touch.
  6. Grease a medium sized mixing bowl with baking spray or oil and place the dough in the bowl, turn once to grease the top too. Cover with plastic wrap & a warm clean kitchen towel and allow to rise for  1 ½ hours – 2 hours. The dough should almost double in size.
  7. Grease a 9×9 inch pan with baking spray (9 inch cake pan works well, too.). You can line with parchment paper to catch any filling that may ooze out if desired.
  8. Combine the ingredients together for the filling in a medium sized mixing bowl until smooth.
  9. Roll out the dough into a 9x14 inch rectangle. Turn out the dough onto a well floured work surface. Roll the dough into a large rectangle, spread the brown sugar filling all over the dough. Leave a small margin on the edges so you can roll, but I pretty much spread it all the way to the edge!
  10. Roll the dough up tightly, slice with a sharp knife or use the floss method and arrange the rolls in the prepared pan. (You’ll have 9 rolls).  Cover tightly with plastic wrap and a warm kitchen towel and allow to rise again for 30 minutes –1 hour. 
  11. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Warm the heavy cream in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, just until lukewarm to the touch. Pour the cream over the cinnamon rolls right before you put in the oven. Bake for 20-22 minutes or until cinnamon rolls are lightly browned on top and reach an internal temperature of 190°F. Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes.
  12. Stir together ingredients for the glaze and drizzle over the tops before serving. Garnish with more orange zest on top if desired. ENJOY! 

Notes

  • Overnight instructions: After you place the sliced rolls into the greased pan, immediately cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge. In the morning, let the cinnamon rolls come to room temperature for at least 30-45 minutes, pour the warmed heavy cream on top and bake as directed.
  • Storage: Covered on the counter for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Pop in the microwave for ~15 seconds to reheat or in the oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes or until warm and gooey again. 
  • To make without orange: leave out the juice and zest. Increase the milk to 1 cup. Increase the brown sugar filling to 2/3 cup brown sugar, 1 Tbsp. cinnamon and 1/4 cup softened butter. Use milk or heavy cream for the glaze. Follow the remaining directions the same. 

Nutrition Information

Serving 1cinnamon roll Calories 454kcal (23%) Carbohydrates 69g (23%) Protein 8g (16%) Fat 17g (26%) Saturated Fat 8g (40%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 6g Trans Fat 0.2g Cholesterol 71mg (24%) Sodium 341mg (14%) Potassium 137mg (4%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 36g (72%) Vitamin A 698IU (14%) Vitamin C 9mg (10%) Calcium 72mg (7%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 9rolls

Amount Per Serving

Calories 454

% Daily Value*

Serving 1cinnamon roll
Calories 454kcal 23%
Carbohydrates 69g 23%
Protein 8g 16%
Fat 17g 26%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 6g 30%
Trans Fat 0.2g 10%
Cholesterol 71mg 24%
Sodium 341mg 14%
Potassium 137mg 3%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 36g 72%
Vitamin A 698IU 14%
Vitamin C 9mg 10%
Calcium 72mg 7%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.