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A round pan of glazed Orange Rolls lined with parchment paper sits on a marble surface, surrounded by orange slices, a small bowl of glaze, and a brown napkin.

Orange Rolls

Mandy I My Reliable Recipes
These Orange Rolls bring together soft, fluffy dough and a citrusy filling that’s bright without being overwhelming. They’re made from scratch, and a small step in the process really makes the orange flavor shine. This orange roll recipe is perfect for brunch, potlucks, or holiday mornings, and you can make them ahead, store them, or freeze them. A quick warm-up is all it takes to bring them back to bakery-fresh.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 10
Calories 595 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
 
 

For the Dough:

  • 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
  • ¼ cup warm water about 110°F
  • ½ cup granulated sugar plus 1 tablespoon (for proofing)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest from about 1 orange
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ teaspoon salt

For the Filling:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest

For the Orange Glaze:

  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
  • 2 teaspoons orange zest
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

Make the Dough:

  • In a small bowl, mix the warm water, yeast, and 1 tablespoon sugar. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
    1 tablespoon active dry yeast, ¼ cup warm water
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together the melted butter, milk, ½ cup sugar, eggs, and orange zest. Stir in the yeast mixture. Add the flour and salt, and mix until a soft dough forms.
    ½ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup unsalted butter, ½ cup whole milk, 2 large eggs, 1 tablespoon orange zest, 4 cups all-purpose flour, ¾ teaspoon salt
  • Transfer to a floured surface and knead briefly for 1–2 minutes until smooth. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for about 2 hours, or until doubled in size.

Prepare the Filling:

  • In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter, sugar, and cinnamon until fluffy. Mix in the orange zest.
    ½ cup unsalted butter, ½ cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon, 1 tablespoon orange zest

Roll and Fill the Dough:

  • Punch down the risen dough and roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle about ¼ inch thick. Spread the filling evenly over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border on all sides.
  • Roll the dough up tightly from the long edge to form a log. Slice the log into 1½-inch rolls using a sharp knife.
  • Place the rolls swirl-side up in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, Dutch oven, or arrange on a parchment-lined sheet for individual rolls. Cover and let rise again for 30 minutes, or until puffy.

Bake:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
  • Bake the rolls for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown and the centers are cooked through. Let them cool slightly before glazing.

Make the Orange Glaze:

  • In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla until smooth and pourable.
    3 cups powdered sugar, ¼ cup milk, 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice, 2 teaspoons orange zest, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Drizzle the glaze generously over the warm rolls. Serve warm and enjoy!

Video

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id="Fp0TVHy3" upload-date="2025-09-25T09:26:45+00:00" name="Soft and Fluffy Orange Rolls" description="These sweet orange rolls are fluffy, buttery, and glazed to perfection." player-type="default" override-embed="default"]

Notes

  • Check your yeast: Make sure the yeast foams during proofing. If it doesn’t, either your yeast has expired or the water temperature was too hot or too cold.
  • Use warm milk for a quicker start: Warm milk around 110°F can help activate the yeast faster and shorten the initial rise slightly.
  • Switch to instant yeast for speed: Instant yeast can be mixed straight into the dry ingredients and reduces rise time by up to 20 minutes.
  • Start with room-temp ingredients: Use room-temperature eggs and milk so the dough rises more evenly.
  • Don’t rush the rise: Give the dough enough time to rise and double in size to achieve a soft, fluffy texture.
  • Boost the filling with cream cheese: Blend softened cream cheese into the filling for a richer, tangier swirl that balances the sweetness and adds a creamy texture.
  • Swap to bread flour for more chew: Using bread flour instead of all-purpose flour gives the rolls a slightly chewier bite while keeping them soft in the center.
  • Keep your Dutch oven safe: Check that all parts are oven-safe (especially lid knobs), and avoid sudden temperature changes by placing it in the oven as it preheats. This enameled cast-iron Dutch oven is completely oven-safe, even its lid knob.

Nutrition

Calories: 595kcalCarbohydrates: 97gProtein: 7gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 84mgSodium: 199mgPotassium: 124mgFiber: 2gSugar: 57gVitamin A: 666IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 61mgIron: 3mg
Keyword Orange Rolls
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