Description
These Melt-in-Your-Mouth Orange Rolls are soft, tender, and bursting with fresh citrus flavor. Perfectly sweetened and spiced with cinnamon, they’re topped with a creamy orange-infused frosting that enhances every bite. Ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a special treat, these rolls combine the warmth of freshly baked dough with bright, zesty orange notes.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 1 cup Warm Water (room temperature is ideal)
- 2 teaspoons Quick Rise Yeast (must be fresh)
- 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar (brown sugar can be used for richer flavor)
- 4 cups All-Purpose Flour (adjust based on dough consistency)
- 1/4 cup Melted Butter (oil can be used for dairy-free option)
- 1 teaspoon Salt (essential for flavor balance)
Filling
- 3 tablespoons Granulated Sugar
- 2 tablespoons Orange Zest (fresh zest is best)
- 1 tablespoon Cinnamon (optional for citrus-only flavor omit this)
- Butter for spreading (amount unspecified, approx. 2-3 tablespoons melted)
Creamy Frosting
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese (mascarpone can be used for different flavor)
- 1/4 cup Butter (softened)
- 2 cups Powdered Sugar (reduce for less sweetness if desired)
- 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)
- 2 tablespoons Orange Zest (fresh zest for extra flavor)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: Combine warm water, yeast, and 3 tablespoons of sugar in a stand mixer bowl. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes or until frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Mix Dough Ingredients: Add the remaining sugar, 2 cups of flour, melted butter, and salt to the yeast mixture. Blend with a dough hook until combined.
- Add Flour to Form Dough: Gradually add the remaining flour, mixing until a soft and tacky dough forms that is not too sticky to handle.
- First Dough Rise: Transfer the dough to a greased bowl. Cover it tightly and let it rise for 2 to 3 hours at room temperature, or place it in the refrigerator to rise overnight.
- Prepare Filling: In a small bowl, mix the sugar, orange zest, and cinnamon thoroughly.
- Roll Out Dough and Add Filling: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll the risen dough into a large rectangle. Spread the melted butter evenly over the surface, then sprinkle the orange sugar-cinnamon mixture over it.
- Form Rolls: Starting from one edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Slice the roll into 1.5-inch thick rounds and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet with some space in between for rising.
- Second Rise: Cover the cut rolls lightly and allow them to rise for 1 hour at room temperature until puffed up.
- Preheat Oven: Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) while the rolls complete their second rise.
- Bake Rolls: Bake the rolls for 20 to 25 minutes until they turn a golden brown and are cooked through.
- Prepare Frosting: While the rolls bake, beat together the cream cheese, softened butter, fresh orange juice, orange zest, corn syrup, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Frost and Serve: Once rolls have baked, spread the creamy orange frosting over them while still warm. Serve immediately for best melting, soft texture, and flavor.
Notes
- Use fresh yeast for active rising and better texture.
- If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the powdered sugar in the frosting to your taste.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with oil and cream cheese with a dairy-free alternative.
- Overnight rising in the refrigerator improves flavor and dough texture.
- Freshly squeezed orange juice and zest greatly enhance the citrus flavor.
- Roll thickness can be adjusted for larger or smaller rolls.
