Orange Rolls Recipe

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These mouth-watering Orange Rolls with a citrus cream cheese frosting will hit the spot for breakfast, brunch or an afternoon snack! These are sweet, citrusy, fluffy, and oh so simple to make. I started with my highly popular Cinnamon Rolls Recipe, then added the sweet citrusy flavor of orange. Your family will devour the whole pan in record time!

What are Orange Rolls?

This of Orange Rolls as the cute, zesty cousin of Cinnamon Rolls. They are chewy, sweet, and warm. Instead of using cinnamon-sugar, we use a citrusy and lightly spiced sugar filling. Plus they are topped with an orange cream cheese glaze that makes these over the top delicious!

Despite the time it takes to make these treats, they’re a great breakfast, snack, or dessert. Yes, you have to wait for the dough to rise and yes, you have to fill them and then wait again, but after all of that, I promise it’s worth it!

Ingredients Needed for Orange Rolls

Gather your ingredients and get ready to up your breakfast game with this easy orange roll recipe. Here is what you’ll need:

For the dough:

• Warm water: Kick-starts the yeast activation process.
• Quick rise yeast: The magic behind the pillowy softness. If you use active dry yeast, your dough will take twice as long to rise.
• Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness to the dough.
• All-purpose flour: The base for your baking masterpiece.
• Butter: Infuses richness into the dough.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness.

For the filling:

• Butter: Provides a buttery richness to the filling.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the swirl.
• Orange zest: Infuses vibrant citrus flavor.
• Cinnamon: Adds warmth and depth to the filling.

For the icing:

• Cream cheese: Offers a creamy texture to the glaze.
• Softened butter: Enhances the richness of the frosting.
• Fresh orange juice: Intensifies the orange flavor.
• Fresh orange zest: Adds bright citrus notes.
• Vanilla extract: Provides a subtle depth of flavor.
• Corn syrup: Helps achieve a glossy finish.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the glaze.

How to Make Orange Rolls

Orange Rolls are made up of three components, the dough, the filling and the icing! For full details on how to make these incredible orange rolls, including ingredients needed and increments, see the printable recipe card down below. Here’s exactly step by step what you can expect:

Make the Dough

1. Proof Yeast

In the bowl of a stand mixer, stir warm water together with yeast and 6 tablespoons of sugar. After a couple of minutes, the mixture should be frothy. If it’s not frothy and bubbly after about 10 mins, throw it out and start this process over again.

2. Add Remaining Dough Ingredients as Followed

Add in the remaining sugar and 2 cups of flour and start to mix with the dough hook attachment. Stir in melted butter and salt. Add in another 1-2 cups of flour and let the machine work to knead it into the dough. Add in the remaining 2 cups of flour (if needed) bit by bit, letting the machine knead in the flour for several seconds before adding in more flour.

Pro Tip: Only add in enough flour to get a dough that is mostly smooth, has cleaned the sides of the bowl, the bottom is still sticking and when you touch it with your hands, it is tacky but not sticky enough to stick to your hands.

3. Refrigerate Dough 1-2 hours or Overnight

Scrape the dough out of the bowl and into a well-greased large bowl. Roll it around to coat in oil, cover, and refrigerate for a couple of hours or overnight.

Filling and Cutting Orange Rolls

1. Make the Orange Filling

In a medium bowl, stir sugar, orange zest, and cinnamon together until combined. Set aside. 

2. Roll Dough into a Rectangle

On a clean, lightly floured surface, dump the risen dough onto the board. Sprinkle the dough and rolling pin in more flour and start to roll it into a rectangle.

3. Spread Butter Over Dough + Add Sugar Mixture Evenly

Using your fingers, spread the soft butter over the entire piece of dough, leaving a border along the top of the longer side. Sprinkle the orange sugar mixture over the butter evenly.

4. Roll Dough into a Tight Roll, Slice + Place on Baking Sheet

Roll dough neatly into a tight roll, towards the border of dough without sugar. Bring the entire log of the dough towards you, moving the seam side down to hold in place.

Using a serrated bread knife, cut into rolls and place onto buttered parchment paper on a lightly colored half sheet pan.

Pro Tip: Alternately, instead of a sharp knife, you can use dental floss for clean, even cuts when slicing the dough.

5. Cover Rolls + Let Rise

Cover rolls with plastic wrap and rise in a warm place until puffed and pretty, about 1 hour.

6. Bake

When the 1-hour mark is almost up, preheat oven to 350° F.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until tops are golden brown.

Making the Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

1. Combine Ingredients and Whip Until Smooth

In a small bowl, measure out cream cheese, soft butter, orange juice, orange zest, vanilla extract, corn syrup and powdered sugar. Mix slowly until incorporated and then increase the speed to whip until completely smooth and light.

2. Spread Frosting on Warm Orange Rolls

Spread frosting overtop warm orange rolls. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Storing Orange Rolls

I like storing my baked and iced orange rolls covered well with plastic wrap (or in an airtight container) at room temperature for up to 24 hours.

They can last up to 48 hours in the fridge, but I just prefer serving mine warm and fresh when they are at their peak softness. They just don’t stay that way for longer than 48 hours, unfortunately.

Can I Freeze Orange Rolls?

Yes! You can freeze orange rolls baked or unbaked.

If baked: cool them completely on a rack, wrap well, and store in the freezer.

If unbaked: as soon as the rolls are assembled and sliced, place them in a pan, cover, and freeze.

To bake after freezing: thaw overnight and bake according to recipe directions.

More Sweet Roll Recipes to Try!

• Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls
• Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls
• Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls
• Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Glaze
• 1-Hour Cinnamon Roll Recipe
• Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls
• Pancake Mix Raspberry Cinnamon Rolls
• Puff Pastry Cinnamon Rolls

These homemade Orange Rolls made with a fluffy dough swirled with orange zest and cinnamon and topped with a creamy orange glaze, are a breakfast sensation. Enjoy with juice or coffee or your favorite breakfast beverage. The printable recipe card is below. Enjoy, friends! 🙂

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.