Soft Orange Rolls Delight (Printable Version)

Fluffy rolls infused with bright orange filling and creamy citrus frosting for a sweet breakfast or brunch treat.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - Zest of 1 large orange
06 - 1/2 cup whole milk, warmed
07 - 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
08 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
09 - 2 large eggs, room temperature

→ Orange Filling

10 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
11 - 2 tablespoons orange zest
12 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

→ Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

13 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
14 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
15 - 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
16 - 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
17 - 1 teaspoon orange zest
18 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
19 - Pinch of salt

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk, orange juice, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
02 - Add melted butter, orange zest, eggs, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix well to combine.
03 - Gradually add flour, mixing until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. Knead by hand or with a dough hook for 8 to 10 minutes, adding a little more flour if needed, until smooth and elastic.
04 - Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, approximately 1 hour.
05 - Mix sugar and orange zest together in a small bowl to release the essential oils. Set aside.
06 - Punch down the dough and roll out on a lightly floured surface to a 16 by 10 inch rectangle.
07 - Spread the softened butter over the dough. Sprinkle evenly with orange sugar mixture.
08 - Starting from the long side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Cut into 12 equal rolls.
09 - Arrange rolls in a greased 9 by 13 inch baking dish. Cover and let rise until puffy, approximately 30 to 40 minutes.
10 - Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake rolls for 22 to 25 minutes, until golden brown.
11 - While baking, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, orange juice, zest, vanilla, and salt; beat until creamy.
12 - Let the rolls cool for 10 minutes, then spread frosting generously over warm rolls.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They're soft and pillowy with a flavor that tastes fancy but comes together with basic pantry ingredients you probably already have.
  • The frosting is creamy and tangy, cutting through the sweetness in a way that makes you actually want to eat these for breakfast instead of just dessert.
  • They're perfect for feeding a crowd or making ahead, which means you can impress people without stress.
02 -
  • The dough needs to stay soft and slightly sticky—this is what creates that tender, pillowy crumb that makes these rolls so irresistible, so don't be tempted to add extra flour just because it feels a little wet.
  • Room temperature ingredients mix together more evenly and create a better texture, so pull your eggs, milk, cream cheese, and butter out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before you start.
  • Fresh orange juice and zest make an enormous difference compared to bottled juice or dried zest, so it's worth seeking out a really good orange for this recipe.
03 -
  • If you want an extra citrus kick, add a few drops of orange extract to the frosting, but start with just a tiny amount because extract is concentrated and easy to overdo.
  • Keep your oven temperature consistent by using an oven thermometer—many ovens run hotter or cooler than the dial suggests, and this affects how quickly your rolls brown.
  • The rolls are best eaten the same day they're baked, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for a couple of days and warmed gently before serving.
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