Description
Fluffy and zesty orange sweet rolls with a citrus-infused filling and a light orange glaze. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet treat any time of day.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup whole milk, warmed to about 100°F
- 6 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
- 1 tablespoon active dry or instant yeast
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups bread flour, plus more as needed
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, extra softened (for filling)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar or brown sugar (for filling)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest (for filling)
- 1 and 1/4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice (for icing)
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Whisk warm milk, 2 tablespoons sugar, and yeast in a bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Add remaining sugar, butter, orange juice, zest, eggs, salt, and 1 cup flour. Mix on medium speed for 1 minute.
- Gradually add remaining flour and knead for 6–8 minutes until soft and elastic. Add flour if too sticky.
- Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1.5 to 2 hours, until doubled.
- Punch down dough and roll it into a 10×16 inch rectangle on a floured surface.
- Spread softened butter on the dough. Mix sugar, cinnamon, and orange zest, then sprinkle evenly over the dough.
- Roll dough tightly from the long edge into a log. Slice into 12 rolls and place in a greased baking dish.
- Cover and let rise again for 30 to 45 minutes until puffy.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls for 25–28 minutes until golden brown.
- While baking, mix confectioners’ sugar, orange juice, and vanilla extract to make the icing.
- Let rolls cool slightly and drizzle icing generously on top before serving.
Notes
- Use almond or non-dairy milk for a dairy-free version.
- Lemon zest and juice can replace orange for a different citrus twist.
- Don’t overheat the milk to avoid killing the yeast.
- For deeper flavor, allow dough to rise overnight in the fridge.
- Rolls can be frozen for up to 3 months after baking.
- Prep Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: orange sweet rolls, citrus rolls, homemade cinnamon rolls, orange icing rolls, brunch pastry