Orange Sweet Rolls: the delicious recipe for citrusy breakfast rolls

If you're a fan of cinnamon rolls, get ready to be wowed by this fantastic orange sweet rolls recipe. Inspired by Pillsbury orange rolls, these zesty, pillow-soft breakfast rolls are packed with citrus flavor, from the sweet, fragrant dough to the sweet-tart orange glaze.

Orange sweet rolls are super easy to make, and they're a fun project for a lazy day when you're in the mood to bake. They're also perfect when you're hosting friends and family for brunch or over the holidays.

Orange Sweet Rolls Ingredients

To make the dough, you'll need flour, egg, salt, sugar, and yeast, plus softened butter and warm to give the dough its supple richness and orange juice to infuse the rolls with that irresistible orange flavor.

For the orange filling, you'll need some freshly grated orange zest, sugar, and softened butter.

Finally, to make the delicious tangy, sweet orange glaze, you'll need cream cheese, butter, orange juice, and sugar, plus a little orange extract if you really want to pump up the orange flavor.

How to Make Orange Sweet Rolls

If you've ever made cinnamon rolls from scratch before, you'll have zero trouble making orange sweet rolls. And even if you've never made any type of breakfast pastry before, you're in luck – this recipe is incredibly easy!

Start by mixing the warm milk, orange juice, yeast salt, sugar, butter, and eggs in the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix in the flour, then turn the speed up keep kneading the dough until it comes away cleanly from the sides of the bowl. Put the dough into an oiled mixing bowl, cover it, and leave it to rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size. Roll the dough out into a 12-inch by 18-inch rectangle.

Make the filling by whisking the butter, sugar, and orange zest in a bowl. Brush over the dough, leaving a bit of space around the edges. Tightly roll up the dough to make one long roll, then slice into 12 equal portions. Arrange the rolls in a greased baking dish, cover with a damp towel, and leave them to proof for 30 to 45 minutes.

Bake the sweet rolls for 20 to 25 minutes at 350F, or until lightly browned. Once the rolls are out of the oven, make the glaze by beating the butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and orange juice until smooth. Spread the glaze over the rolls while they're warm. Enjoy your orange sweet rolls warm or at room temperature.

Can You Make Orange Sweet Rolls Ahead of Time?

Of course! Make orange sweet rolls up to a day in advance. They're delicious when enjoyed at room temperature or you can reheat them and serve them warm.

Tips for the Best Orange Sweet Rolls

Only use room temperature ingredients to make your orange sweet rolls.

For a stronger orange flavor in your glaze, add a ½ teaspoon of orange extract or orange flower water to the mixture.

Use freshly squeezed orange juice for the dough – it'll yield a much better flavor. If you don't have any on hand, orange juice from the carton will work as well.

If you don't have a stand mixer, you can make orange rolls by hand.

To make gluten-free orange sweet rolls, simply use gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour.

How to Store Orange Sweet Rolls

Wrap your orange sweet rolls in cling film or place them in an airtight container and leave them at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, keep them in the fridge for up to one week.

Can You Freeze Orange Sweet Rolls?

You can definitely freeze orange sweet rolls. Freeze them in an airtight container for up to 2 months. For best results do not frost the sweet rolls before freezing them. The frosting won't freeze well. Instead, you can glaze them once they've thawed out.

Instructions

Lightly oil a large bowl. Set aside.

Mix milk, orange juice, yeast salt, sugar, butter in the bowl of a stand mixer. Gradually add in the flour on low.

Add the eggs.

Turn the speed up to medium and continue kneading the dough until it comes away cleanly from the sides of the bowl. Place the dough into the oiled mixing bowl.

Cover with a damp towel.

Allow it to rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Spray a baking dish with cooking spray. Roll the dough out into a 12-inch by 18-inch rectangle.

Whisk butter, sugar, and orange zest in a bowl.

Brush over the dough, leaving ½ inch around the edges.

Spread it evenly.

Tightly roll up the dough to make one long roll.

Slice it into 12 equal portions. Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Put the rolls into the baking dish.

Cover with a damp towel.

Leave them to proof for 30 to 45 minutes.

Bake the sweet rolls for 20 to 25 minutes, until lightly browned.

In a bowl, beat butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and orange juice until smooth.

Remove the rolls from the oven. Add the glaze over the rolls.

Spread it evenly.

Serve orange sweet rolls immediately or cool and enjoy later.

Notes

Use a 9×13-inch baking dish to make your sweet rolls.