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Orange Rolls
5 from 20 votes

Orange Rolls

Orange Rolls are sweet yeast buns flavored with fresh orange zest, filled with cinnamon sugar, and topped with a citrus glaze. The dough combines milk, water, yeast, butter, egg, sugar, and orange zest for a fragrant, tender crumb. Rolled with cinnamon and sugar and baked until golden, the rolls finish with a sweet orange glaze that enhances their bright flavor and soft texture. These are a fragrant, citrusy treat suitable for breakfast or dessert.

Prep Time
45 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Additional Time
2 hrs
Total Time
3 hrs 10 mins
Servings: 12 sweet rolls
Calories: 426 kcal
Course: Dessert, Breakfast
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Sweet Dough
  • 1 cup milk whole
  • ⅓ cup water
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast 1 packet
  • 5 Tablespoons butter but not too hot, unsalted, melted
  • 1 large egg room temperature preferred, + 1 large egg yolk
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 5 cups all-purpose flour divided, plus additional as needed
  • 2 teaspoons orange fresh zest
Filling
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 6 Tablespoons butter softened/nearly melted, divided
Orange Glaze
  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons butter melted
  • 2-4 Tablespoons orange juice

Instructions

Sweet Dough
    Cup of Yum
  1. Combine milk and water in a heatproof dish and warm in the microwave until 105-115F (40-46C) (stir before checking temperature).
  2. Pour the milk mixture into a large bowl (you could also use a stand mixer for this recipe), add the yeast and sprinkle in a generous pinch (about 1 teaspoon) of granulated sugar. Stir and allow to sit for about 5-10 minutes until yeast is foamy (if yeast does not foam see my FAQ section, you will need to start over).
  3. Once yeast is foamy, add ⅓ cup granulated sugar, melted butter, eggs, salt, 2 cups (250g) of flour, and orange zest. Stir well until ingredients are well-combined.
  4. Gradually add additional flour (if using a stand mixer use the dough hook attachment and low-speed) until the dough clings to itself and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Add flour until the dough is slightly tacky to the touch. If making by hand, transfer to a clean, lightly floured surface and knead for 5-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic (if using stand mixer, mix on low/medium speed for 3-5 minutes). Add more flour as needed.
  5. Transfer to a large lightly oiled bowl and turn the dough to lightly coat the entire surface with oil. Cover and allow it to rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in size (about 1-2 hours).
Filling & Assembly
  1. Meanwhile, prepare your filling by whisking together ⅓ cup granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. If your butter for the filling is not easily spreadable, pop it in the microwave for a few seconds until slightly melty. Use 2 tablespoons of butter to generously grease the sides and bottom of a 9x13 baking dish and set aside.
  2. Once dough has risen, punch down and transfer to a clean lightly floured surface. Roll to a 10x20” (25x50cm) rectangle.
  3. Spread 4 tablespoons of butter (reserve 2 tablespoons for greasing pan) evenly across the surface of the dough, leaving a ¼” (½ cm) perimeter of the dough unbuttered. Sprinkle evenly with cinnamon/sugar.
  4. Starting with one 20” (50cm) end, roll dough tightly into a log. Cut into 12 even pieces and space them evenly in greased pan. Cover with a clean towel and allow to rise until the gaps between the rolls have been mostly filled, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350F (190C).
  5. Once rolls have risen and oven is preheated, remove towel and bake in 350F (175C) oven for 25 minutes (if using a glass baking dish you may need longer) or until cooked through (I use a knife to check if the cinnamon rolls are cooked through or still gooey inside).
Orange Glaze
  1. While rolls are cooling, prepare your glaze by whisking together sugar, butter,and orange juice. Drizzle or spread over rolls while still warm. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Instant yeast can replace active dry yeast by mixing it with sugar, salt, and half the flour before adding warmed milk and water.
  • When zesting oranges, avoid the white pith as it imparts bitterness instead of citrus flavor.
  • Store finished rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days to keep them fresh.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1sweet roll Calories 426kcal (21%) Carbohydrates 68g (23%) Protein 7g (14%) Fat 14g (22%) Saturated Fat 8g (40%) Trans Fat 1g (50%) Cholesterol 51mg (17%) Sodium 467mg (19%) Potassium 117mg (2%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 27g (54%) Vitamin A 441IU (9%) Vitamin C 2mg (2%) Calcium 41mg (4%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12 sweet rolls

Amount Per Serving

Calories 426

% Daily Value*

Serving 1sweet roll
Calories 426kcal 21%
Carbohydrates 68g 23%
Protein 7g 14%
Fat 14g 22%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 51mg 17%
Sodium 467mg 19%
Potassium 117mg 2%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 27g 54%
Vitamin A 441IU 9%
Vitamin C 2mg 2%
Calcium 41mg 4%
Iron 3mg 17%

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