Servings
Font
Back
4.5 from 6 votes

Orange Rolls

Sticky and soft with a vibrant orange flavour, these orange rolls are the best you’ll find. Simple to make, these are the zesty sister to a cinnamon roll.

Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Rising time
1 hr 30 mins
Total Time
2 hrs 15 mins
Servings: 9 rolls
Calories: 309 kcal
Course: Dessert , Breakfast , Brunch
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Dough
  • 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons orange zest
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast 1 packet
  • ½ cup fresh orange juice
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 large egg
Filling
  • ¼ cup salted butter room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons orange zest
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup heavy cream for drizzling over buns before baking
Orange icing
  • 1 tablespoon salted butter
  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1-2 tablespoons orange juice

Instructions

Dough
    Cup of Yum
  1. In a small bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons orange zest and ¼ cup granulated sugar. This will release the oils in the zest and create an orange-flavored sugar to flavor the buns.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together 2¾ cups all-purpose flour, orange sugar, ¾ teaspoon salt, and 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast together. Set aside.
  3. In a small bowl, combine the ½ cup fresh orange juice, ¼ cup milk, and 2 tablespoons unsalted butter together and heat in the microwave until the butter is melted, about 30-45 seconds. This may look curdled, but it’s okay if it does.
  4. Use the dough hook attachment on low to stir the liquid into the dry ingredients. Add 1 large egg and knead on low speed for 5-6 minutes, until the dough is no longer sticky. Form the dough into a ball and return to the bowl. Cover and let rest for 5 minutes.
  5. Turn on the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 9×9 pan with cooking spray and set aside.
Filling
  1. In a small bowl, combine ½ cup granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons orange zest for the filling to make more orange sugar.
  2. Once the dough has rested, dust a clean surface lightly with flour and roll out the dough into a 15×9 inch rectangle.
  3. Spread the softened ¼ cup salted butter over the dough and dust evenly with the orange-sugar mixture. Roll the dough up tightly and cut it into 9 even pieces.
  4. Place the rolls into the prepared pan and cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
  5. Turn off the warmed oven and place the pan of rolls inside. Let them rise for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes have passed, remove the foil or plastic and drizzle the ¼ cup heavy cream evenly over the top of the buns.
  6. Return the buns to the oven and turn the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the tops of the buns are golden brown.
Orange icing
  1. In a medium bowl, use a hand mixer to combine 1 tablespoon salted butter, 1 ½ cups powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, 1 tablespoon orange zest, and 1-2 tablespoons orange juice until smooth. If you would like the icing to be more runny, add milk or orange juice until the consistency is how you would like it.
  2. Drizzle over the slightly cooled buns before serving.

Notes

  • Originally posted on December 18, 2020
  • Updated on December 11, 2023
  • You'll need 2 large oranges for this recipe
  • If you don't have a stand mixer, it will take around 10 minutes to knead by hand. It will be sticky but resist the urge to add flour. The easiest way to knead it is to press down with one hand then use a bench scraper in the other hand to lift and fold it so you can press down again.

Nutrition Information

Calories 309kcal (15%) Carbohydrates 57g (19%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 7g (11%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Cholesterol 32mg (11%) Sodium 109mg (5%) Potassium 87mg (2%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 28g (56%) Vitamin A 243IU (5%) Vitamin C 7mg (8%) Calcium 22mg (2%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 9rolls

Amount Per Serving

Calories 309

% Daily Value*

Calories 309kcal 15%
Carbohydrates 57g 19%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 7g 11%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 32mg 11%
Sodium 109mg 5%
Potassium 87mg 2%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 28g 56%
Vitamin A 243IU 5%
Vitamin C 7mg 8%
Calcium 22mg 2%
Iron 2mg 11%

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