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Orange Sweet Rolls

Delight in the soft, pillowy sweetness of Orange Sweet Rolls, infused with the zesty freshness of orange to brighten your mornings.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 12 rolls
Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine: American
Calories: 275
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the dough
  • 1 cup 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, warmed to about 100°F (38°C) Warm but not hot to activate yeast.
  • 6 tablespoons 6 tablespoons (75g) granulated sugar, divided Divided for activating yeast and filling.
  • 1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon (9g) active dry or instant yeast For the rising action in the dough.
  • 5 tablespoons 5 tablespoons (71g) unsalted butter, softened To create a rich, tender dough.
  • 2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons (30ml) freshly squeezed orange juice Enhances the flavor.
  • 1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest Intensifies the orange flavor.
  • 2 large 2 large eggs, at room temperature Ensure eggs are at room temp for better rising.
  • 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon salt Balances the sweetness.
  • 4 cups 4 cups (530g) bread flour, plus more for rolling More can be added as needed for dough consistency.
For the filling
  • 6 tablespoons 6 tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, extra softened for the filling Spread evenly over the rolled dough.
  • 1/2 cup 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar (or brown sugar), for sprinkling Sweetness for the filling.
  • 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Adds warmth and flavor.
  • 1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest, for the filling Additional zest for flavor.
For the glaze
  • 1 and 1/4 cups 1 and 1/4 cups (150g) confectioners' sugar, for the glaze Used for icing over the baked rolls.
  • 3 tablespoons 3 tablespoons (45ml) freshly squeezed orange juice, for the icing Mix to create the glaze.
  • 1/2 teaspoon 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Adds extra flavor to the glaze.

Method
 

Prepare the Dough
  1. In the bowl of your stand mixer, whisk the warm milk, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and yeast together. Cover the bowl and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy.
  2. Add the remaining sugar, softened butter, orange juice, orange zest, eggs, salt, and 1 cup of flour to the yeast mixture. Beat the mixture for 1 minute, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
  3. Gradually add more flour until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough using a mixer for about 6-8 minutes, or by hand until it’s smooth and elastic.
Let the Dough Rise
  1. Grease a large bowl and place the dough inside. Cover it with a clean cloth or plastic wrap, and allow it to rise for 1.5-2 hours until it has doubled in size.
Prepare & Fill
  1. On a floured surface, roll the dough into a rectangle measuring approximately 10x16 inches. Spread the softened butter evenly over the surface and sprinkle the filling ingredients—sugar, cinnamon, and orange zest—on top.
  2. Starting from one long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Slice the log into 12 equal pieces and arrange them in a greased baking dish. Cover and let them rise for an additional 30-45 minutes.
Bake
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Bake the rolls for 25-28 minutes, covering them with foil if they brown too quickly.
Glaze
  1. While the rolls are baking, whisk together the confectioners' sugar, orange juice, and vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth.
  2. After letting the rolls cool for about 10 minutes, drizzle the icing over the warm sweet rolls. Serve immediately.

Notes

Ensure your milk is warm but not hot, as too high a temperature can kill the yeast. A warm environment can enhance the rising process: turn on your oven to the lowest setting, then turn it off and place the dough inside. You can prepare the rolls the night before; refrigerate them overnight after rolling and slicing, then allow them to rise in the morning before baking. These rolls freeze beautifully; freeze before icing, then thaw and warm them up with the glaze on baking day.