Orange Sweet Rolls

Orange Sweet Rolls are soft, fluffy rolls made from sweet dough and filled with a bright, citrusy orange flavor. Imagine the coziness of a cinnamon roll mixed with the fresh taste of oranges that’s exactly what these rolls are like. They are gently sweet, smell amazing while baking, and are often topped with a creamy orange glaze that melts into every swirl. These rolls are perfect for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or even a special snack after school.

What makes Orange Sweet Rolls extra special is how comforting and cheerful they feel. The orange flavor comes from real orange juice and zest the colorful outer skin of the orange, which gives the rolls a natural sweetness and happy smell. Even kids love them because they taste like a treat but are not too heavy. They’re fun to make, fun to eat, and fun to share with family and friends.

You Should Try the Orange Sweet Rolls

Orange Sweet Rolls are a great recipe to try at home because they are simple, rewarding, and delicious. You don’t need to be a professional baker to make them turn out well. The dough is easy to work with, and the filling uses ingredients you may already have in your kitchen. Plus, the steps are gentle and calm, making this a perfect weekend baking project for families.

Another reason to try Orange Sweet Rolls is how flexible they are. You can make them ahead of time, freeze them, or change the glaze to fit your taste. They also make your kitchen smell like a bakery, which is always a good thing. If you want a recipe that feels special but isn’t scary or complicated, this is the one.

Ingredients you’ll need for Orange Sweet Rolls

Here is everything you need to make Orange Sweet Rolls

For the Dough:

• 3 ½ cups all purpose flour
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 packet 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup warm milk not hot
• ¼ cup orange juice fresh is best
• ¼ cup melted butter
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon orange zest

For the Filling:

• ¼ cup softened butter
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon orange zest

For the Orange Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons orange juice
• ½ teaspoon orange zest

How to Make Orange Sweet Rolls

Step 1

First, make the dough. In a large bowl, mix the warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it looks bubbly. This means the yeast is awake and ready. Add the sugar, melted butter, orange juice, egg, salt, and orange zest. Stir everything together until smooth.

Step 2

Next, slowly add the flour, one cup at a time. Mix until a soft dough forms. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and knead it for about 5–7 minutes. Kneading means pushing and folding the dough with your hands until it feels smooth and stretchy. Put the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rest for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.

Step 3

Once the dough has risen, roll it out into a rectangle. Spread the softened butter evenly on top. Sprinkle the sugar and orange zest over the butter. Carefully roll the dough into a tight log, starting from the long side. Cut the log into even rolls and place them in a greased baking dish.

Step 4

Cover the rolls again and let them rise for another 30 minutes. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes, or until lightly golden. While the rolls are cooling slightly, mix the glaze ingredients together and drizzle over the warm rolls. Let them soak it up and enjoy.

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Kitchen equipment you will need :

Before you start, make sure you have these kitchen tools ready:

• Large mixing bowl
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Whisk
• Rolling pin
• Sharp knife or dough cutter
• Baking dish 9×13 works well
• Clean kitchen towel
• Zester or fine grater
• Small bowl for glaze

Tips and Variation Ideas

Making Orange Sweet Rolls can be even easier with a few smart tips. If you’re short on time, you can prepare the rolls the night before. After placing them in the baking dish, cover tightly and store them in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, then bake as usual.

If kneading by hand feels tiring, you can use a stand mixer with a dough hook. This saves time and energy. Also, when zesting oranges, only use the bright orange part of the peel. The white part underneath is bitter and not tasty.

Another helpful tip is to use dental floss to cut the rolls. Slide the floss under the dough log, cross it over the top, and pull tight. This makes clean cuts without squishing the rolls. Lastly, always glaze the rolls while they are warm, not hot. This helps the glaze melt just right.

What can I serve with this Orange Sweet Rolls ?

These Orange Sweet Rolls are a favorite in our home. I love serving them with a creamy milkshake or fresh fruit juice, and my husband and daughter enjoy them so much. We usually share them together as a family, and they make any breakfast or snack feel extra special.

Commonly Asked Questions

Are Orange Sweet Rolls good for breakfast ?

Yes, they are perfect for breakfast or brunch.

Can I freeze Orange Sweet Rolls ?

Yes, you can freeze baked or unbaked rolls for up to 2 months.

Can I freeze Orange Sweet Rolls ?

Yes, you can freeze baked or unbaked rolls for up to 2 months.

How do I reheat leftover rolls ?

Warm them in the microwave for 10–15 seconds.

Orange Sweet Rolls

Recipe by sophieCourse: Breakfast, Brunch, DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

12

servings

Prep time

25

minutes

Cooking time

25

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

Total time

1

hour 

50

minutes

Orange Sweet Rolls are soft, fluffy rolls filled with fresh orange flavor and topped with a sweet orange glaze. They are easy to make, smell amazing while baking, and are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a special treat.

Ingredients

• 3 ½ cups all purpose flour

• ¼ cup sugar

• 1 packet 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ cup warm milk not hot

• ¼ cup orange juice fresh is best

• ¼ cup melted butter

• 1 egg

• 1 tablespoon orange zest

• ¼ cup softened butter

• ½ cup sugar

• 1 tablespoon orange zest

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 2–3 tablespoons orange juice

• ½ teaspoon orange zest

Directions

• First, make the dough. In a large bowl, mix the warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it looks bubbly. This means the yeast is awake and ready. Add the sugar, melted butter, orange juice, egg, salt, and orange zest. Stir everything together until smooth.
• Next, slowly add the flour, one cup at a time. Mix until a soft dough forms. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and knead it for about 5–7 minutes. Kneading means pushing and folding the dough with your hands until it feels smooth and stretchy. Put the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rest for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
• Once the dough has risen, roll it out into a rectangle. Spread the softened butter evenly on top. Sprinkle the sugar and orange zest over the butter. Carefully roll the dough into a tight log, starting from the long side. Cut the log into even rolls and place them in a greased baking dish.
• Cover the rolls again and let them rise for another 30 minutes. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes, or until lightly golden. While the rolls are cooling slightly, mix the glaze ingredients together and drizzle over the warm rolls. Let them soak it up and enjoy.

Notes

• If the dough sticks, add a little flour at a time, not too much.
• Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot.
• Roll the dough evenly so the rolls bake at the same speed.
• Do not overbake remove rolls when they are light golden, not dark brown.

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