Orange Rolls Recipe
Get ready to fall in love with a batch of Orange Rolls that are as irresistible as they sound! Soft, fluffy, and perfumed with real orange zest in every bite, these pillowy rolls are filled with a citrusy-sweet swirl and topped with a lush cream cheese glaze. If you love the zing of fresh oranges and crave the cozy comfort of homemade pastries, this is the treat to make. Whether you’re looking to brighten up your brunch table or simply want a cheerful weekend baking project, these Orange Rolls deliver sunshine and smiles, every single time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Orange Rolls is that they call for simple pantry staples and a handful of fresh ingredients that work together to yield layers of flavor. Each ingredient here plays an important role in building that signature soft texture, bright color, and zingy citrus aroma.
- All purpose or bread flour (for tangzhong): This helps create a cooked roux that makes your rolls extra tender and fluffy.
- Water (for tangzhong): Essential for the roux method, it gives moisture and improves shelf life.
- Instant yeast: Fast-acting and reliable, it ensures your dough rises beautifully every time.
- Warm water (for yeast): Just the right temperature supports yeast activation and a good rise.
- Granulated sugar (for yeast): Feeds the yeast and helps jumpstart the fermentation process.
- All purpose flour (main dough): The sturdy backbone for a light, pillowy crumb.
- Greek yogurt (vanilla or plain): Adds richness, moisture, and a delicate tang.
- Canola or other neutral oil: Gives the dough a supple texture without overpowering the citrus flavor.
- Additional granulated sugar (optional): Sweetens your dough for extra indulgence.
- Fresh orange juice: The star ingredient infuses every layer with natural, zesty flavor.
- Zest of two large oranges: Intensifies the citrus aroma and adds flecks of color throughout.
- Pure vanilla extract or paste: Gives a floral, sweet background flavor that plays beautifully with orange.
- Fine sea salt: Just a little sharpens all the sweet and citrusy notes.
- Brown sugar (for filling): Melts into a gooey, caramelized swirl inside the rolls.
- Butter (softened): Makes the filling creamy and delicious, helping it spread easily.
- Additional orange zest (filling): Doubles down on that sunshiney citrus punch in every bite.
- All purpose flour (filling): Helps the filling stay put during baking and not ooze out.
- Pinch fine sea salt (filling): Balances the sweetness and heightens flavor.
- Heavy cream: Poured over before baking, this makes the rolls exceptionally tender and rich.
- Cream cheese (for glaze): A tangy, creamy counterpoint for the sweet icing.
- Fresh orange juice (for glaze): Brightens the glaze, adding fresh flavor and silky texture.
- Organic powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens your dreamy finishing glaze.
- Pure vanilla extract or paste (glaze): Offers a mellow, rounded warmth to the icing.
- Pinch fine sea salt (glaze): Keeps the glaze from being one-note sweet.
How to Make Orange Rolls
Step 1: Make the Tangzhong
Start by making the tangzhong—a cooked flour and water paste—which gives these Orange Rolls their signature fluffiness. In a small pot over low heat, whisk together 1/4 cup flour and 1/2 cup water. Keep whisking until the mixture turns thick, smooth, and pudding-like, then turn off the heat and let it cool. This quick extra step is your secret weapon for ultra-soft rolls!
Step 2: Activate the Yeast
While your tangzhong cools, add 1/4 cup warm water to your stand mixer bowl. Sprinkle over the instant yeast and a little sugar, then give it a quick stir. Let it sit for a few minutes until foamy. This is the best way to guarantee your Orange Rolls hit the perfect cloud-like rise.
Step 3: Make and Knead the Dough
Pour the remaining dough ingredients—flour, Greek yogurt, oil, optional sugar, fresh orange juice, orange zest, vanilla, salt, and the cooled tangzhong—into the bowl with the foamy yeast. Fit your mixer with the dough hook, then knead on low speed for 7 to 10 minutes. The dough should look smooth and pull away from the sides of the bowl.
Step 4: First Rise
Transfer your supple dough to a lightly oiled bowl, turning it to coat all sides. Cover the bowl and let it rise in a warm spot for 2 to 3 hours until almost doubled. If it’s especially cozy in your kitchen, expect a faster rise! Meanwhile, set out your butter to soften for the filling.
Step 5: Prepare the Filling
Once the dough is nearly doubled, punch it down and place it on a floured surface. For the filling, mix the softened butter with brown sugar, orange zest, a pinch of salt, and a tablespoon of flour. This orangey-sweet mixture is what gives Orange Rolls their gooey, fragrant swirl.
Step 6: Roll Out and Fill
Using a rolling pin, stretch the dough into a rectangle about 12×16 inches. Spread the filling evenly, leaving a half-inch border on one of the longer sides. Gently roll up the dough into a log, finishing with the side that has the border. This gives a perfect spiral with every slice.
Step 7: Shape and Second Rise
Grease a 13×9 inch baking pan. Cut the dough log into 1-inch slices (a bread knife or dental floss works great here!), making about 11 rolls. Arrange them in the pan according to the 2,1,2,1,2,1,2 pattern for fluffy, evenly baked rolls. Cover with a tea towel and let them rise for another 45 minutes—when poked, the dough should indent, not bounce back.
Step 8: Bake the Orange Rolls
Preheat your oven to 350 F. Just before baking, pour heavy cream around the rolls—this step makes them extra tender and decadent. Bake for 30 minutes, until beautifully golden and aromatic. If you have a thermometer, the center should reach 190 F for perfect doneness.
Step 9: Make & Spread the Glaze
For the finishing touch, whisk together cream cheese, fresh orange juice, vanilla, a pinch of salt, and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Adjust the texture with more orange juice or sugar as needed. Once the rolls come out of the oven, generously slather them with the glaze. You’re now ready to savor orange-scented bliss!
How to Serve Orange Rolls
Garnishes
A final flourish of orange zest or curls, a sprinkle of finely chopped pistachios, or even a dusting of extra powdered sugar will make your Orange Rolls look bakery-beautiful. For a fancier touch, add a ribbon of orange peel or a few edible flowers right before serving.
Side Dishes
Pair your Orange Rolls with creamy Greek yogurt and fresh fruit for a vibrant breakfast or brunch spread. They’re also delicious alongside eggs and crisp bacon, or served with a simple citrus salad to double down on that zesty theme!
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving Orange Rolls on a cake stand for a show-stopping centerpiece, stacking them in a “tower” for brunch buffets, or gifting them in a pretty box lined with parchment. For holidays, you can even shape the dough into a wreath and glaze it after baking for a festive twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Orange Rolls are best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 5. The glaze keeps the rolls moist, so they’ll still taste dreamy the next day!
Freezing
To freeze, wrap baked (but unglazed) Orange Rolls tightly in plastic and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and glaze just before serving. You can also freeze the dough log or cut rolls before the second rise, then thaw and proceed on baking day.
Reheating
For that just-baked feel, warm leftover Orange Rolls in the microwave for about 15 seconds per roll, or cover loosely and heat in a 300 F oven for 8–10 minutes. Glazed or not, they’ll come out soft and delicious!
FAQs
Can I use regular yogurt instead of Greek yogurt?
Yes! While Greek yogurt adds more richness and tang, regular yogurt works in a pinch. Just drain off any excess liquid so your dough doesn’t get too sticky.
Can I make Orange Rolls the night before?
Absolutely. After slicing and arranging in the pan, cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, let them come to room temperature and do the second rise before baking as usual.
Do I have to use a stand mixer?
No stand mixer? No problem! You can knead the dough by hand; just expect it to take a little longer—around 15 minutes—to achieve a smooth, elastic texture.
Can I skip the heavy cream before baking?
If you don’t have heavy cream, you can skip it or substitute with whole milk. The rolls will still be soft, though the cream adds an extra-rich, almost custardy base.
How do I get the best orange flavor?
Always use freshly squeezed orange juice and lots of fresh zest. Avoid orange extracts or artificial flavorings, as they don’t provide that natural, vibrant taste that sets these rolls apart!
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like the joy that fills your kitchen when a batch of homemade Orange Rolls comes out of the oven, scenting the air with sunshine and sweetness. If you’re ready to treat yourself (and maybe a lucky friend or two), gather your oranges and get rolling—you’ll be glad you did!
Print
Orange Rolls Recipe
- Total Time: 3 hours
- Yield: 11 rolls 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious and fragrant orange rolls with a soft, fluffy texture and a sweet orange glaze. These rolls are perfect for breakfast or as a special treat any time of the day.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 30g or ¼ cup all-purpose or bread flour
- 120g or ½ cup water
- 7g or 1 packet instant yeast
- 60g or ¼ cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 520g or 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 125g or ½ cup Greek yogurt (vanilla or plain)
- 50g or ¼ cup canola or other flavorless oil
- 50g granulated sugar (optional, sweetens the dough)
- 175g or scant ¾ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- Zest of two large oranges
- 1–2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract or paste
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
Filling:
- 145g or ⅔ cups brown sugar
- 75g or ⅓ cup butter (softened, salted or unsalted)
- Zest of 2 oranges
- 8g or 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- Pinch fine sea salt
Glaze:
- 120g or ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese
- 2–4 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 195g or 1 ½ cups organic powdered sugar
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract or paste
- Pinch fine sea salt
Instructions
- Make the tangzhong and dough – In a small pot, cook water and flour until thick. In a stand mixer, mix warm water, yeast, sugar, flour, yogurt, oil, orange juice, zest, vanilla, and salt. Knead until smooth and let rise.
- Make the filling and shape the rolls – Mix butter, brown sugar, orange zest, salt, and flour. Roll out dough, spread filling, roll into a log, slice into rolls, and place in a baking pan. Let rise.
- Preheat and bake – Preheat oven. Pour cream around rolls and bake until golden.
- Make the glaze – Whisk together cream cheese, orange juice, vanilla, salt, and powdered sugar. Adjust consistency with more juice or sugar. Spread over baked rolls.
Notes
- You can customize the glaze by adding more orange zest for extra citrus flavor.
- For a variation, try adding chopped nuts or dried fruits to the filling.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: orange rolls, breakfast, bread, sweet rolls, citrus
