Description
There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked orange rolls wafting through your kitchen. These Best Homemade Orange Rolls are fluffy, sweet, and filled with bright citrus flavor. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a special treat, these rolls feature a soft dough swirled with orange sugar filling and topped with a creamy orange-infused glaze. They’re easy to make, beautifully golden, and guaranteed to impress anyone lucky enough to taste them.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
• 1/2 cup warm milk (100℉ to 110℉)
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1 tablespoon instant dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons salted butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 3 to 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
For the Filling:
• 1/2 cup salted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons orange zest
For the Orange Glaze:
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup salted butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon orange extract (optional)
• 1 to 2 tablespoons orange juice
Instructions
- In a stand mixer bowl, combine warm milk, orange juice, yeast, sugar, salt, butter, and egg. Add in flour gradually while mixing on low speed.
- When the dough begins to come together, increase speed to medium and continue kneading until soft and tacky, but not sticky. Adjust flour as needed.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. Roll the dough out on a clean surface into a 12×18-inch rectangle.
- Mix together butter, sugar, and orange zest in a small bowl. Spread evenly over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border at the top.
- Roll the dough tightly lengthwise into one long roll. Cut into 12 equal slices using a sharp serrated knife.
- Arrange the rolls in the prepared pan, cover, and let them rise again for 30 to 45 minutes until puffy.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls for 20 to 25 minutes, or until lightly golden on top.
- While baking, prepare the glaze by beating cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Add powdered sugar, orange extract, and enough orange juice to make it smooth and spreadable.
- Frost the warm rolls generously with the glaze. Serve immediately or store once cooled.
Notes
Serve your Best Homemade Orange Rolls warm and freshly glazed for the ultimate flavor experience. The creamy orange glaze melts into the soft, fluffy layers, creating a deliciously sticky and citrusy treat. If you’re making them ahead, bake and cool completely before storing. Keep the rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. To reheat, microwave each roll for 10–15 seconds to restore that just-baked softness. For long-term storage, freeze the unglazed rolls for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge, warm slightly, and top with fresh orange glaze.
