Description
These homemade orange sweet rolls are soft, fluffy, and bursting with fresh citrus flavor. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, the rolls feature a tender dough filled with a buttery, brown sugar and orange zest filling, topped with a sweet orange glaze that adds a refreshing finish.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm whole milk
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
For the Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3–4 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm milk and active dry yeast. Let the mixture sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy, indicating the yeast is activated.
- Mix Dough Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar, softened butter, salt, eggs, and the yeast mixture. Mix well until fully incorporated.
- Add Flour and Knead: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms. Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free spot for 1–2 hours or until it has doubled in size.
- Prepare Filling and Shape Rolls: Roll the risen dough into a 12×18 inch large rectangle. Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle the brown sugar and orange zest evenly on top. Starting from the long side, roll the dough tightly into a log.
- Slice and Second Rise: Slice the rolled dough into 12 equal rolls and arrange them in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover and let the rolls rise for another 30–45 minutes until puffy.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 25–30 minutes or until golden brown on top.
- Make Glaze: While the rolls are baking, whisk together the powdered sugar, fresh orange juice, and orange zest to create a smooth glaze.
- Glaze and Serve: Drizzle the fresh orange glaze over the warm rolls just before serving for a shiny, sweet finish.
Notes
- For an overnight preparation, complete the rolls up to the second rise. Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. Bring them to room temperature and let them rise before baking the next day.
- Enhance the glaze by adding a touch of vanilla extract for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
