Orange Rolls

Orange rolls are a delightful combination of fluffy, sweet dough filled with a luscious, zesty orange filling, all topped with a creamy glaze that ties everything together. When you first bite into one of these rolls, it’s hard not to smile as the soft, pillowy texture complements the citrusy brightness. Perfectly sweet yet refreshing, orange rolls make any morning feel like a special occasion, offering a cheerful start to your day.

I first stumbled upon orange rolls during a family gathering years ago. One of my aunts baked them, and their aroma wafted through the house, calling everyone to the kitchen. I was hooked instantly. These rolls aren’t just a recipe; they’re an experience—a warm hug on a plate that brings back fond memories with every bite. If you’re looking for something easy to whip up, crowd-pleasing, and utterly delicious, give this orange rolls recipe a try. I promise you won’t regret it!

How to Make Orange Rolls

1. Prep the Oranges: Zest one large orange and set the zest aside in a mixing bowl.
2. Juice the Orange: Squeeze the same orange until you have 1/2 cup of fresh orange juice.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: Mix the fresh orange juice with 1/2 cup whole milk in a liquid measuring cup.
4. Warm the Mixture: Heat the orange juice and milk mixture in the microwave for about 20 seconds until it reaches 105-110°F.
5. Activate the Yeast: Stir in 1 tablespoon active dry yeast and 5 tablespoons granulated sugar, letting it sit for 5 minutes until bubbly.
6. Mix the Dough: Add the yeast mixture to the bowl with the orange zest, then include 2 large eggs.
7. Add Flour and Salt: Mix in 3 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon kosher salt using a spatula.
8. Incorporate Butter: Gradually add 1/2 cup soft butter, one tablespoon at a time, ensuring each one is fully mixed before adding more.
9. Knead the Dough: Beat the dough with a dough hook on medium-low speed for 5 minutes until it’s smooth and shiny, though still sticky.
10. Chill the Dough: Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or up to 2 days, as chilling is essential.
11. Make the Orange Filling: About 90 minutes before rolling, zest three more large oranges and juice them to 3/4 cup.
12. Cook the Filling: In a saucepan, combine 3/4 cup butter, 1 and 1/2 cups granulated sugar, and the 3/4 cup orange juice. Heat to a boil and simmer for 6-8 minutes, until it reaches 240°F.
13. Cool the Filling: Remove from heat and stir in the zest, letting it cool to room temperature.
14. Preheat for Rising: Preheat the oven to 350°F briefly, then turn it off, creating a warm place for your dough to rise.
15. Prepare the Baking Pan: Grease a 9×13 inch glass pan and set it aside.
16. Roll Out the Dough: Dust your work surface with flour and roll the chilled dough into a 12×16 inch rectangle.
17. Spread the Filling: Take the cooled orange filling and spread it across the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges.
18. Roll Up the Dough: Roll the dough tightly from the long edge, sealing the edge with your fingers.
19. Slice the Rolls: Use a serrated knife to cut the rolled dough into 12 even slices.
20. Transfer to the Pan: Place each roll in the greased baking pan.
21. Cover and Rise: Loosely cover the rolls with greased plastic wrap and place them in the warm oven to rise for about 45 minutes, until puffy.
22. Preheat the Oven: Remove the rolls and the pan of water from the oven and preheat to 325°F.
23. Bake the Rolls: Bake them for 30 minutes, covering with foil after 15 minutes to prevent over-browning.
24. Check for Doneness: The rolls should reach an internal temperature of 180-190°F.
25. Cool Slightly: Let the rolls cool on a wire rack for a few minutes.
26. Make the Glaze: In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth, then mix in powdered sugar, orange zest, orange juice, and lime juice until combined.
27. Glaze the Rolls: Drizzle the creamy orange glaze over the rolls while they are still warm. Enjoy!

Storing & Reheating

To store your freshly made orange rolls, keep them covered at room temperature for up to a day to maintain their softness. After that, transfer them to an airtight container in the refrigerator where they can stay fresh for up to a week. If you’d like to freeze your rolls, place them in a disposable aluminum pan wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil. They can be stored this way for up to three months. For reheating, simply remove the foil and plastic, and bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until warm. You may notice slight texture changes, so a quick reheat helps bring them back to their delightful state.

These orange rolls are not only a treat for the family but also an impressive dish to share with friends. From the rich aroma wafting through your kitchen to the moment you savor that first bite, this recipe is a true celebration of flavors. Don’t hesitate to have fun with the recipe — tweak the glaze, add spices, or even try different citrus fruits. Enjoy your baking adventure!

Recipe FAQs

Orange Rolls

Recipe Author: Linsey

These Orange Rolls are a delightful treat with their sweet, tangy flavor, and fluffy texture. Perfect for breakfast or as a dessert, made with fresh orange juice and creamy glaze!

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Pin Recipe

• Prep Time 20 minutes
• Cook Time 155 minutes
• Yield 12 servings 1x

Ingredients

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• 1 teaspoon orange zest , from 1 large orange*
• 1/2 cup orange juice, fresh squeezed
• 1/2 cup whole milk, or half and half, don't use skim milk
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 5 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 3 and 1/4 cups all purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup butter, very soft (divided)
• 3/4 cup butter, (1 and 1/2 sticks)
• 1 and 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup orange juice, fresh squeezed
• 1 tablespoon orange zest, from at least 3 oranges
• 1 (8-ounce package) cream cheese, full fat, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons orange zest, from at least 2 oranges
• 2 tablespoons orange juice, fresh squeezed
• 3 tablespoons lime juice, fresh squeezed

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Instructions

1. Prep the oranges and zest one large orange, adding zest to your mixing bowl.
2. Juice the orange to obtain 1/2 cup of fresh orange juice.
3. Combine 1/2 cup of whole milk or half and half with the orange juice, warming it until it's about 105-110 degrees F.
4. Mix in 1 tablespoon of yeast and 5 tablespoons of sugar, allowing it to sit until bubbly.
5. Add the yeast mixture to the bowl containing the orange zest, followed by two eggs.
6. Incorporate 3 and 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt into the mixture.
7. Beat the dough by hand with a spatula, then switch to a dough hook, mixing for about 2 minutes.
8. Gradually include 1/2 cup of very soft butter, making sure each portion is well mixed before adding more.
9. Continue mixing on medium-low speed for 5 minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly sticky.
10. Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover, and refrigerate for 2 hours or up to 2 days.
11. Prepare the orange filling about 90 minutes before rolling out the dough by zesting and juicing more oranges for their zest and juice.
12. Combine 3/4 cup of butter, 1 and 1/2 cups of sugar, and 3/4 cup of orange juice in a saucepan and boil, stirring occasionally, until the mixture reaches 240 degrees F.
13. Remove from heat and stir in the prepared zest; cool to room temperature.
14. Create a warm environment by boiling a pot of water and preheating your oven briefly, then turning it off.
15. Roll out the dough on a floured surface into a large rectangle and spread the cooled orange filling on top.
16. Roll the dough into a tight roll and slice it into 12 equal pieces, placing each in a greased pan.
17. Cover the rolls and allow them to rise for about 45 minutes in the warm oven.
18. Preheat your oven to 325°F, then bake the rolls for 30 minutes, covering with foil if they brown too quickly.
19. Once baked, allow to cool slightly and prepare the glaze using cream cheese, powdered sugar, zest, and juices, mixing until fluffy and smooth.
20. Drizzle the orange glaze over the rolls and enjoy immediately.

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Notes

For best flavor, use freshly squeezed orange juice.
Keep the rolls covered for optimal freshness; they are best enjoyed on the first day.
Rolls can also be frozen; wrap carefully and bake from frozen when ready.

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Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 roll
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 18g
• Sodium: 250mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 70mg

Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.

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