If you’re looking for a burst of sunshine at breakfast or a heartwarming sweet treat with a citrusy twist, this Homemade Orange Sweet Rolls Recipe will absolutely brighten your day. Imagine pillowy pastry swirled with buttery orange zest filling and draped in a luscious orange glaze—a perfect harmony of softness, sweetness, and tang. These rolls instantly fill your kitchen with the aroma of fresh oranges and warm bread, making any gathering feel extra special. Best of all, they’re easy enough for weekend bakers and impressive enough for brunch guests!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Homemade Orange Sweet Rolls Recipe lies in everyday ingredients coming together to make something extraordinary. Each component—dough, filling, and glaze—plays a crucial role in shaping the flavor and texture, so don’t shy away from the fresh citrus or the buttery richness!
- Warm Milk (1 cup, 110°F): The warmth activates the yeast and leads to a supple, fluffy dough.
- Granulated Sugar (1/3 cup + 1 cup for filling): Provides sweetness to the dough and a caramelized burst in the filling.
- Active Dry Yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons): The secret to that delightfully pillowy rise.
- Unsalted Butter (1/3 cup melted for dough, 1/2 cup softened for filling): Gives soft richness in every roll and ensures the filling is melt-in-your-mouth luxurious.
- Large Eggs (2): Add structure and a touch of silkiness to the dough.
- All-Purpose Flour (4 1/2 cups): Choose a good-quality flour for the most tender crumbs.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Essential for balancing out the sweetness and boosting flavor.
- Orange Zest (2 tablespoons for filling, 1 tablespoon for glaze): The absolute star! Use fresh zest for the brightest flavor.
- Powdered Sugar (2 cups, for glaze): Creates a silky icing with a beautiful snow-white finish.
- Fresh Orange Juice (3-4 tablespoons, for glaze): Enhances the citrusy aroma and gives the glaze its punchy flavor.
How to Make Homemade Orange Sweet Rolls Recipe
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Begin your cinnamon roll journey by mixing the warm milk, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast in a small bowl. The warmth gently wakes the yeast, and after just a few minutes, you’ll see it start to foam. Watching those tiny bubbles lets you know your dough will rise beautifully.
Step 2: Make and Knead the Dough
Combine melted butter and eggs in a large bowl—give them a whisk, then pour in the frothy yeast mixture. Slowly add in your flour and salt, mixing until it comes together in a shaggy dough. Don’t be afraid to get your hands in there! Knead the dough by hand on a lightly floured surface for six to eight minutes. The dough should become smooth, soft, and slightly elastic—it’s a little arm workout but so satisfying.
Step 3: Let the Dough Rise
Transfer your dough to a greased bowl, turning once so it’s lightly coated. Cover with a clean towel and let it rise in a warm spot for one to one and a half hours. You’ll know it’s ready when it has doubled in size—give it a gentle press, and it’ll slowly spring back.
Step 4: Fill and Roll
Punch down the dough to release any air and roll it out into a large 12×18 inch rectangle. Spread that softened butter evenly over the surface, then sprinkle with granulated sugar and vibrant orange zest. Starting from the long side, roll it up tightly into a log for those perfectly defined spirals. Slice into 12 even rolls and place them into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan.
Step 5: Second Rise and Bake
Cover the rolls with a towel and let them puff up again for 30 to 45 minutes. This step is key for that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Preheat your oven to 350°F, then bake the rolls for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown—your kitchen will smell absolutely irresistible!
Step 6: Make the Orange Glaze
While the rolls bake, whip up the easy orange glaze by whisking powdered sugar, fresh orange juice, and extra zest together until silky smooth. As soon as you pull the rolls from the oven, drizzle the glaze over the warm swirls. It seeps into the crevices and glistens on top—almost too pretty to eat (but go ahead anyway).
How to Serve Homemade Orange Sweet Rolls Recipe
Garnishes
Dress up your rolls with even more fresh orange zest on top, a dusting of powdered sugar, or a few thinly sliced oranges for a pretty, sunshine-bright finish. If you like a little extra decadence, a handful of chopped pistachios sprinkled over the glaze adds a lovely crunch and color.
Side Dishes
For the perfect brunch spread, serve your Homemade Orange Sweet Rolls Recipe alongside a fresh fruit salad or a bowl of Greek yogurt and honey. They also pair beautifully with scrambled eggs or a simple frittata to balance out the sweet richness.
Creative Ways to Present
Try arranging the rolls in a circular pattern on a vintage cake stand for an inviting centerpiece, or tuck them into decorative paper liners for a breakfast buffet. For a fun twist, serve mini versions in muffin tins or package a few in a bakery box as a heartfelt homemade gift.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, cover any leftover rolls tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They’ll stay soft and delicious, perfect for a next-day treat with your morning coffee.
Freezing
If you want to savor the Homemade Orange Sweet Rolls Recipe later, freeze unglazed rolls individually or together in a baking dish, well-wrapped. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and glaze just before serving for that fresh-baked flavor.
Reheating
To warm up leftover rolls, pop them in a low oven at 325°F for 8–10 minutes, or microwave each roll for 20–30 seconds. They’ll come back to life, soft and gooey, just like fresh out of the oven!
FAQs
Can I substitute another citrus fruit for the orange?
Absolutely! Lemon or even grapefruit zest and juice work wonderfully, bringing their own fresh twist to the Homemade Orange Sweet Rolls Recipe.
Can I prepare the rolls the night before?
Yes! After shaping the rolls and placing them in the baking dish, cover and refrigerate overnight. The next day, simply let them come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking as directed.
Is there a way to make the rolls extra fluffy?
Using fresh yeast and allowing both rises to double in size is key. Make sure the milk isn’t too hot or too cold—just right to activate the yeast without killing it.
How do I prevent the rolls from sticking to the pan?
Generously grease your baking dish with butter or nonstick spray, or line it with parchment paper for easy lifting and virtually no sticking.
Can I add spices to the filling?
Definitely! Adding a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom to the orangey sugar filling gives the Homemade Orange Sweet Rolls Recipe a cozy depth and warmth—customize to your taste.
Final Thoughts
Baking up a batch of this Homemade Orange Sweet Rolls Recipe is pure joy—the kind that brings people to the kitchen, noses in the air and smiles on their faces. I can’t recommend it enough for brightening mornings or celebrating with friends. Give it a try, and let your home be filled with citrusy sweetness and happy memories!
Print
Homemade Orange Sweet Rolls Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes (plus rising time)
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 rolls
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Homemade Orange Sweet Rolls are a delightful citrus twist on classic sweet rolls. Soft, fluffy dough filled with a burst of orange flavor, topped with a fresh orange glaze, these rolls are perfect for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
For the glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 to 4 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
Instructions
- Dough Preparation: In a small bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit until foamy. Whisk melted butter and eggs in a large bowl. Add yeast mixture, then gradually mix in flour and salt to form a dough. Knead on floured surface, then let rise.
- Filling and Rolling: Roll out dough, spread with softened butter, sprinkle sugar and orange zest. Roll into a log, cut into rolls and place in baking dish to rise.
- Baking and Glazing: Bake rolls until golden brown. Whisk powdered sugar, orange juice, and zest for glaze. Drizzle over warm rolls.
Notes
- For overnight rolls, prepare up to the second rise, refrigerate overnight, and let sit before baking.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon to the filling for extra flavor.
