Soft Orange Sweet Rolls (Printable Version)

Citrus-scented soft rolls swirled with sweet orange filling and topped with creamy orange frosting.

# What You Need:

→ Dough

01 - 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - Zest of 1 large orange
06 - 1/2 cup whole milk, warmed
07 - 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
08 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
09 - 2 large eggs, room temperature

→ Orange Filling

10 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
11 - 2 tablespoons orange zest from approximately 2 large oranges
12 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

→ Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

13 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
14 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
15 - 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
16 - 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
17 - 1 teaspoon orange zest
18 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
19 - Pinch of salt

# How To Make It:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk, orange juice, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
02 - Add melted butter, orange zest, eggs, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix well.
03 - Gradually add flour, mixing until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. Knead by hand or with a dough hook for 8 to 10 minutes, adding a little more flour if needed, until smooth and elastic.
04 - Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, approximately 1 hour.
05 - Mix sugar and orange zest together in a small bowl to release the oils. Set aside.
06 - Punch down the dough and roll out on a lightly floured surface to a 16 by 10 inch rectangle.
07 - Spread the softened butter over the dough. Sprinkle evenly with orange sugar mixture.
08 - Starting from the long side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Cut into 12 equal rolls.
09 - Arrange rolls in a greased 9 by 13 inch baking dish. Cover and let rise until puffy, approximately 30 to 40 minutes.
10 - Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake rolls for 22 to 25 minutes, until golden brown.
11 - While rolls bake, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, orange juice, zest, vanilla, and salt; beat until creamy.
12 - Let the rolls cool for 10 minutes, then spread frosting generously over warm rolls.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Bursting with fresh citrus flavor from real orange juice and zest—no artificial extracts needed
  • Soft, pillowy texture that rivals any bakery cinnamon roll
  • The tangy orange cream cheese frosting perfectly balances the sweetness
  • Makes your home smell absolutely incredible while baking
  • Impressive presentation for brunch gatherings or holiday mornings
  • Can be prepared ahead and refrigerated overnight for easy morning baking
02 -
  • Make ahead: prepare the rolls through step 9, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight; let them come to room temperature (about 45 minutes) before baking
  • Test your yeast: if it doesn't foam after 10 minutes, it may be dead—start over with fresh yeast
  • For extra-soft rolls, brush the tops with melted butter immediately after removing from the oven
  • Add a few drops of orange extract to the frosting for even more intense citrus flavor
  • Store unfrosted baked rolls in an airtight container for up to 2 days; frost just before serving
  • Freeze unbaked rolls after shaping: arrange in the pan, cover tightly, freeze up to 1 month; thaw in refrigerator overnight and let rise before baking
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