Description
Enjoy these melt-in-your-mouth Orange Rolls topped with a luscious creamy frosting. Soft, tender dough infused with zesty orange and cinnamon, baked to golden perfection, and finished with a sweet tangy cream cheese glaze. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a special treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup Warm Water (Room temperature is ideal)
- 2 teaspoons Quick Rise Yeast (Must be fresh)
- 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar (Can use brown sugar for richer flavor)
- 4 cups All-Purpose Flour (Adjust based on dough consistency)
- 1/4 cup Melted Butter (Can replace with oil for dairy-free)
- 1 teaspoon Salt (Essential for flavor balance)
Filling Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Cinnamon (Omit for citrus-only flavor)
- 2 tablespoons Orange Zest (Fresh zest is best)
- 3 tablespoons Sugar (used in filling mix)
- Butter for spreading (approximately 2-3 tablespoons, melted)
Frosting Ingredients
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese (Use mascarpone for different flavor)
- 1/4 cup Butter (softened)
- 2 cups Powdered Sugar (Reduce for less sweetness)
- 2 tablespoons Corn Syrup (Honey or agave can be substitutes)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (Optional but recommended)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Orange Juice (Freshly squeezed is best)
- 1 tablespoon Orange Zest (fresh, for frosting)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: Combine warm water, yeast, and 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar in a stand mixer bowl. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until frothy, indicating the yeast is active and ready.
- Make Dough: Add remaining sugar, 2 cups of flour, melted butter, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix well until fully combined to form a wet dough base.
- Add Flour Gradually: Slowly incorporate the remaining flour until the dough becomes soft and tacky but not sticky. Adjust flour as needed by feel.
- First Rise: Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and allow it to rise in a warm place for 2 to 3 hours until it doubles in size. Alternatively, refrigerate overnight for a slower rise.
- Prepare Filling: In a small bowl, combine sugar, orange zest, and cinnamon to create the sweet citrus-spiced filling.
- Roll Out Dough: On a floured surface, roll the risen dough into a large rectangle. Spread melted butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle the prepared filling mixture generously on top.
- Shape Rolls: Roll the dough tightly from the long edge into a log. Cut the log into 1.5-inch thick rolls using a sharp knife or dental floss for cleaner cuts.
- Second Rise: Lay the rolls cut-side up on a parchment-lined baking sheet or pan. Cover and let them rise for another hour until puffy.
- Preheat Oven: During the second rise, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) for baking.
- Bake Rolls: Bake the orange rolls in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they turn a beautiful golden brown and are cooked through.
- Prepare Frosting: While the rolls bake, beat together cream cheese, softened butter, powdered sugar, corn syrup, fresh orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract until smooth, creamy, and well combined.
- Serve: Once the rolls are out of the oven and still warm, spread the creamy orange frosting evenly over the top. Serve immediately for the best melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Notes
- Use fresh, room-temperature ingredients for best dough consistency and rise.
- The dough can be refrigerated overnight for a slower rise and deeper flavor development.
- Omitting cinnamon will highlight the citrus flavor more prominently.
- Substitute butter with dairy-free oil for a dairy-free version.
- Adjust powdered sugar in frosting to taste if you prefer less sweetness.
- For softer rolls, cover them while baking with foil for the last 5 minutes if browning too quickly.
- Store leftover rolls in an airtight container and reheat gently to preserve softness.
