Description
These Melt-in-Your-Mouth Orange Rolls feature a soft, tender dough infused with fresh orange zest and a touch of cinnamon, rolled with a buttery citrus filling, and topped with a luscious creamy orange frosting. Perfect for breakfast or brunch, these rolls combine fragrant citrus flavors with a sweet and tangy cream cheese icing that melts delightfully into the warm rolls.
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 tablespoon Cinnamon (Omit for citrus-only flavor)
- 2 tablespoons Orange Zest (Fresh zest is best)
- Additional granulated sugar for filling (amount included in directions as needed)
- Melted butter for spreading on dough
Creamy Orange 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)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Orange Juice (Freshly squeezed is best)
- 2 tablespoons Orange Zest
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: Combine warm water, yeast, and 3 tablespoons of sugar in a stand mixer. Let sit for about 10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Mix Dough Ingredients: Add the remaining sugar, 2 cups of flour, melted butter, and salt to the yeast mixture. Blend until everything is well combined.
- Add Flour Gradually: Slowly incorporate the remaining flour until a soft, tacky dough forms that is not overly sticky or dry.
- First Rise: Transfer the dough into a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise at room temperature for 2-3 hours or refrigerate overnight for a slower rise.
- Prepare Filling: Mix granulated sugar, orange zest, and cinnamon in a small bowl to create the sweet citrus filling.
- Roll Out Dough: On a floured surface, roll the dough out into a large rectangle. Spread melted butter evenly over the dough and sprinkle the prepared filling mixture on top.
- Shape Rolls: Roll the dough tightly from one edge into a log, then cut the log into 1.5-inch thick rolls. Arrange the rolls on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Second Rise: Cover the rolls and allow them to rise for 1 hour until puffy and nearly doubled in size. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake: Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Make Frosting: While the rolls bake, combine cream cheese, melted butter, powdered sugar, corn syrup, vanilla extract, fresh orange juice, and orange zest. Beat until smooth and creamy.
- Glaze and Serve: Spread the warm, baked rolls generously with the orange cream cheese frosting. Serve immediately for the best melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Notes
- For a dairy-free variation, substitute melted butter in dough and frosting with a plant-based oil or margarine and use dairy-free cream cheese.
- You can omit cinnamon for a pure citrus flavor experience.
- Adjust the powdered sugar in the frosting to your preferred level of sweetness.
- Ensure yeast is fresh for proper dough rise.
- Freshly squeezed orange juice and zest provide the best bright citrus flavor.
- Roll thickness affects baking time; keep rolls approximately 1.5 inches thick for even baking.
