Description
These melt-in-your-mouth orange rolls are soft, fluffy, and bursting with fresh citrus flavor, enhanced by a sweet cinnamon filling and topped with a luscious creamy orange frosting. Perfect for breakfast or brunch, these rolls combine the comforting sweetness of classic cinnamon rolls with a refreshing twist of bright orange zest and juice in both the dough and the frosting.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 1 cup Warm Water (Room temperature is ideal)
- 2 teaspoons Quick Rise Yeast (Must be fresh)
- 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar (Can use brown sugar for richer flavor)
- 4 cups All-Purpose Flour (Adjust based on dough consistency)
- 1/4 cup Melted Butter (Can replace with oil for dairy-free)
- 1 teaspoon Salt (Essential for flavor balance)
Filling
- 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 tablespoons Orange Zest (Fresh zest is best)
- 1 tablespoon Cinnamon (Omit for citrus-only flavor)
- 1/4 cup Melted Butter (For spreading on dough)
Frosting
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese (Use mascarpone for different flavor)
- 1/4 cup Melted Butter
- 2 cups Powdered Sugar (Reduce for less sweetness)
- 2 tablespoons Corn Syrup (Honey or agave can be substitutes)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (Optional but recommended)
- 2 tablespoons Orange Zest
- 1/4 cup Fresh Orange Juice (Freshly squeezed is best)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: Combine warm water, quick rise yeast, and 3 tablespoons of sugar in a stand mixer bowl. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until the mixture is frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Mix Dough: Add the remaining sugar, 2 cups of all-purpose flour, melted butter, and salt to the yeast mixture. Blend with the mixer until well combined.
- Add Flour Gradually: Slowly incorporate the remaining flour into the dough mixture until a soft and slightly tacky dough forms, ensuring it’s not too sticky but pliable.
- First Rise: Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 2 to 3 hours until it doubles in size. Alternatively, refrigerate overnight for a slower rise to develop more flavor.
- Prepare Filling: In a separate bowl, mix together the sugar, orange zest, and cinnamon until well combined.
- Roll Out Dough: On a floured surface, roll the risen dough into a large rectangle. Spread the melted butter evenly over the surface, then sprinkle the prepared filling mixture evenly on top.
- Shape Rolls: Roll the dough tightly from one long side to the other to form a log. Cut the log into 1.5-inch thick rolls and place them cut side up on a parchment-lined baking sheet with some space between them.
- Second Rise: Cover the rolls and let them rise for an additional 1 hour to puff up nicely.
- Preheat Oven: While the rolls are rising, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake Rolls: Bake the rolls for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Prepare Frosting: While the rolls bake, combine cream cheese, melted butter, powdered sugar, corn syrup, vanilla extract, orange zest, and fresh orange juice in a bowl. Beat until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
- Frost and Serve: Spread the creamy orange frosting generously over the warm rolls as soon as they come out of the oven. Serve immediately for the best melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Notes
- Use fresh quick rise yeast to ensure the dough rises properly.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute melted butter with vegetable oil and use dairy-free cream cheese alternative in the frosting.
- Allowing the dough to rise overnight in the refrigerator enhances the flavor and texture.
- If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the amount of powdered sugar in the frosting.
- Freshly squeezed orange juice and zest produce the best citrus flavor in both the dough filling and frosting.
- These rolls are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for 2 days and warmed before serving.
