Description
These Melt-in-Your-Mouth Orange Rolls are a delightful twist on traditional cinnamon rolls, featuring a citrus-infused filling and a creamy orange frosting. Soft, fluffy, and bursting with fresh orange zest and juice, these rolls are perfect for a sweet breakfast treat or a special brunch. The homemade orange cream cheese frosting adds the perfect balance of tangy sweetness.
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)
- 3 tablespoons Granulated Sugar (from the initial sugar allotted for filling)
- Butter (amount for spreading on dough before filling; approximately 1/4 cup melted butter)
Frosting
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese (Use mascarpone for different flavor)
- 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 (for frosting garnish and flavor enhancement)
- Butter (unspecified amount, usually about 1/4 cup softened for frosting)
Instructions
- Activate yeast: Combine warm water, yeast, and 3 tablespoons of sugar in a stand mixer bowl. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes until it 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. Mix until all ingredients are combined well.
- Add flour gradually: Gradually incorporate the remaining flour until the dough forms a soft, tacky consistency that is no longer sticky.
- First rise: Transfer the dough into a greased bowl, cover it with a cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise for 2 to 3 hours at room temperature, or refrigerate overnight for a slow rise.
- Prepare filling: In a small bowl, mix together the sugar, orange zest, and cinnamon to create the filling mixture.
- Roll out dough: On a floured surface, roll the dough into a large rectangle. Spread a layer of melted butter evenly over the surface.
- Add filling: Sprinkle the prepared orange zest and cinnamon-sugar filling evenly over the buttered dough.
- Form rolls: Starting from one of the long edges, tightly roll the dough into a log. Cut the log into 1.5-inch thick rolls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced slightly apart.
- Second rise: Cover the rolls and allow them to rise for about 1 hour until puffy. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake the rolls: Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until they turn golden brown on top.
- Prepare frosting: While the rolls bake, combine cream cheese, softened butter, orange juice, orange zest, vanilla extract, corn syrup, and powdered sugar in a bowl. Mix until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
- Frost and serve: Spread the icing generously over the warm rolls as soon as they come out of the oven. Serve immediately to enjoy their melt-in-your-mouth texture and vibrant orange flavor.
Notes
- Ensure yeast is fresh and warm water is not too hot to properly activate yeast.
- Adjust flour quantity based on dough consistency; dough should be soft but not too sticky.
- For dairy-free option, substitute butter with oil and use dairy-free cream cheese alternative.
- Fresh orange zest and juice greatly enhance the orange flavor; avoid using dried zest.
- You can omit cinnamon in the filling for a purely citrus flavor or increase for a spicier note.
- For a richer taste, use mascarpone instead of cream cheese in the frosting.
- Rolls are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored covered at room temperature for 1-2 days or frozen for longer storage.
