These heavenly orange rolls deliver pure comfort in just 1 hour and 40 minutes. The pillowy-soft dough, enriched with bright citrus flavors, creates an irresistible breakfast or brunch treat that’s worth every minute of preparation.
Made with simple ingredients, each roll contains only 156 calories while providing the perfect balance of sweetness and buttery goodness. The aroma of fresh-baked citrus will have everyone gathering around your kitchen, eagerly awaiting these warm, indulgent spirals.
Ingredients for Heavenly Orange Rolls
- Dough Base: 1¾ cups warm water, 2 Tbsp active dry yeast, ⅓ cup granulated sugar, 2 large eggs, ½ cup melted butter, 1 tsp salt, 5 cups all-purpose flour
- Orange Filling: ½ cup softened butter, ⅓ cup granulated sugar, zest from 2 fresh oranges (adds wonderful citrus aroma)
- Citrus Glaze: 2 cups powdered sugar, ½ tsp orange zest, 2 Tbsp fresh orange juice (makes these rolls extra special)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it rest until foamy (about 5 minutes). Mix with remaining dough ingredients using a dough hook.
- Knead and Rest Cycle: Knead for 3 minutes, rest 10 minutes. Repeat this cycle three times for perfect texture.
- Shape the Rolls: Divide dough into 3 balls. Roll each into 15″x8″ rectangles. Spread with orange-butter mixture.
- Create Perfect Swirls: Roll each rectangle lengthwise, cut into 1½” sections. Place in greased muffin tins.
- Final Rise: Cover with greased plastic wrap. Let rise 30 minutes until puffy.
- Bake to Perfection: 400°F for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.
- Finish with Glaze: While warm, drizzle with fresh orange glaze. Enjoy immediately for best taste!
Make-Ahead Tips
Want to enjoy warm, fresh orange rolls for breakfast? You can prep these beauties the night before! After placing the rolls in muffin tins, cover them with plastic wrap and pop them in the fridge. The next morning, let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes while your oven heats up. They’ll rise perfectly and be ready to bake!
Baking Success Tips
The secret to super soft orange rolls is in the dough! Make sure your water is warm (not hot) when mixing with yeast – it should feel like warm bath water.
When you’re rolling the dough, a light dusting of flour is all you need – too much can make your rolls tough. And here’s a sweet trick: place your muffin tin on the middle rack of your oven, where the heat is most even.
Serving Ideas
These orange rolls shine brightest when served warm from the oven, with the glaze still glistening! They’re perfect for a weekend brunch paired with scrambled eggs and fresh fruit. Want to make them extra special? Add a small pat of butter while they’re still warm – it melts into all the swirly layers. They’re also lovely alongside a hot cup of coffee or tea.
Storage and Reheating
If you have any rolls left (which rarely happens in my house!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-3 days. To bring back that fresh-baked warmth, pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
For longer storage, these rolls freeze beautifully! Just wrap them well and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and warm slightly before eating.
Orange Rolls
Equipment
- Muffin tin
- Mixing bowl
- Dough hook
- Sharp serrated knife
Ingredients
Rolls
- 1 3/4 cups warm water
- 2 Tablespoons active dry yeast
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup butter 1 stick, melted
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
Filling
- 1/2 cup butter 1 stick, softened
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large oranges zested
Orange Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon orange zest from fresh orange
- 2 Tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
Instructions
- In a small bowl, add water, yeast and sugar. Let rest for 5 minutes, until foamy on top.
- In a large mixing bowl fitted with a dough hook, add eggs, butter, salt, flour and yeast mixture.
- Knead the dough with your mixer on medium speed for 3 minutes. Cover bowl with a towel and let dough rest for 10 minutes.
- Knead dough again for 3 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes.
- Knead dough one more time for three minutes. Let rest again for 10 minutes.
- Divide the dough into 3 balls. Lightly flour your counter-top and roll each dough ball out into a 15”x8” rectangle.
- Mix ½ cup softened butter with ½ cup sugar and the zest of 2 oranges. Spread this mixture evenly over the three rectangles of bread dough.
- Roll-up each rectangle lengthwise into a long tube (similar to how you would roll cinnamon rolls). Use a sharp serrated knife to cut the dough into 1 1/2” sections.
- Put each small dough round into a greased muffin tin.
- Cover dough lightly with greased piece of plastic wrap and allow dough to rise once more, for 30 minutes.
- Bake at 400 degrees F for about 10-12 minutes.
- Whisk powdered sugar, orange zest and orange juice until smooth. Drizzle over warm orange rolls.
