These Homemade Orange Rolls are bursting with fresh, sweet orange flavor. Get ready for tender dough, orange filling and orange scented cream cheese frosting.
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If you’re a cinnamon roll kind of person you need to stop what you’re doing and get to baking. These Orange Rolls are going to blow your mind.
It’s like a fresher, brighter sweet cinnamon roll that is perfect for breakfast, brunch, dessert or snacking. Honestly, maybe even lunch. No judgement here.
These don’t contain cinnamon though so instead of that warm spice, you get a hit of fresh zing. They would be perfect for Christmas morning.
Dough Ingredients for Orange Rolls
Ingredients for Orange Roll Filling:
Ingredients for Frosting
Prepare the Dough
In the bowl of your stand mixer, whisk together the warm milk, yeast and sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes, until it bubbles.
You can make this dough by hand as well. Make sure you use a big bowl.
Add the salt, eggs and half of the flour. Mix with the paddle attachment until the ingredients come together.
Switch out the paddle for the bread hook attachment. Add remaining flour and mix until it just comes together.
Add softened butter, cut into pieces, to the mixer and knead on low until butter is incorporated and a soft ball forms. This should only take a minute or two.
Oil a large bowl and add dough. Cover with a thin towel and allow to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Assemble the Filling and Roll
While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. Mix together the butter, granulated sugar, kosher salt and orange zest in a bowl. It will be crumbly.
Once the dough has risen, roll it out into a 16×21-inch rectangle on a floured surface. Sprinkle the filling over the dough.
Grab the long side, farthest from you and start to tightly roll. Keep rolling until you have a long log. If your edges are a little wonky, trim them so that they are even.
Prepare Orange Rolls for Baking
Slice the log in half. Slice each half in half again. Continue this process until you have 12 equal rolls.
Spray a 13×9 baking pan well with nonstick spray. Place the rolls into the prepared pan, 4 rows of 3 rolls.
Cover with the towel and allow to rise until they are puffy and touching, about 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees during the second rise. Once risen, it’s time to bake.
Bake and Frost Orange Rolls
They’ll only take about 15 minutes to bake. You want them just lightly golden. This will ensure they are light and tender.
While the rolls are baking, whip up the orange cream cheese frosting. You’ll want to use the whisk attachment for the frosting.
Add butter and cream cheese to your stand mixer. Cream until smooth and well combined.
Add powdered sugar and whip until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add vanilla extract, salt and orange zest. Whisk again until ingredients are incorporated.
You can frost right away if you like that melty frosting situation. Or let cool then frost.
More Breakfasts Sweets You Need Right Now:
Orange Rolls
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 1/4 oz. package yeast (or 2 1/4 teaspoon)
- 1 cup warm milk (105-110 degrees)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 2 large eggs
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup softened butter
For the filling:
- 5 Tbsp. softened butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 Tbsp. orange juice
For the frosting:
- 8 Tbsp. butter, softened
- 2 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 Tbsp. orange zest
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together yeast, warm milk, sugar and salt. Add eggs and half the flour. Using the dough hook, mix until it comes together. Add remaining flour and mix until combined. Add butter and knead for 1 minute, until the chunks are incorporated and a ball forms.
- Place dough in a well oiled bowl. Cover with a thin towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about an hour.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface into a 16×21-inch rectangle. In a bowl, stir together the filling ingredients. It will be crumbly. Sprinkle over the dough evenly.
- Roll the long edge up tightly until you have a long log. Trim ends so that they are even. Cut in half. Then cut each half in half. You'll have 4 pieces at this point. Cut each piece into equal thirds. Spray a 13x9inch pan with nonstick spray and place the orange rolls evenly in the prepared pan. Cover with a towel and allow to rise for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. The rolls won't double but will grow enough to be just barely touching.
- Remove towel and bake rolls for 12-15 minues, until golden and no longer gooey. Make the frosting while they are cooling. Cream together the butter and cream cheese. Add powdered sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the whisk attachment, whisk until light and fluffy, 3 minutes. Add vanilla, salt and orange zest and mix another minute. Spread over the orange rolls.
December 17, 2020 at 8:58 am
Are there adjustments for high altitude?
December 17, 2020 at 10:18 am
Hi Karen! I don’t have any experience baking at high altitudes (midwestern girl here) but I found this awesome chart that breaks down how to adjust the sugar, temperature and even yeast amount depending on your altitude. I hope it helps you in your baking! Have a great day! https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/learn/resources/high-altitude-baking