Orange Cinnamon Rolls
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This Orange Cinnamon Roll recipe is made extra soft and fluffy, and swirled with a sweet cinnamon sugar filling with a hint of orange. Then topped with a sweet orange glaze that adds the perfect burst of fresh citrus flavor. Made with orange juice, and makes the best addition to any brunch all year long.
PIN these fluffy Orange Cinnamon Rolls to try later!
THe best orange cinnamon roll recipe
Orange Cinnamon Rolls are bursting with real orange flavor since we use fresh orange juice in the fluffy dough, orange zest in the filling and a citrusy orange icing on top. There’s nothing better than the smell of warm rolls baking in the morning, they will pull anyone out of bed!
Orange Rolls are cozy, extra bright and adds a delicious twist to the Traditional Cinnamon Rolls. Each bite is filled with the perfect balance of bright, fresh orange flavor, adding just the right amount of citrus to complement the warm cinnamon sweetness. They make a perfect a weekend brunch, holidays or anytime you’re craving cinnamon rolls with a citrus twist.
Other delicious brunch recipes to serve with these Orange Rolls is this Orange Loaf Cake, Ham and Cheese Frittata, Berry Fruit Salad and Blueberry Pancake Casserole.
Why You’ll Love This orange cinnamon roll recipe
key ingredients
- Active dry yeast, rapid or quick rise yeast or instant yeast: You can use either one for these, just note the rising time will vary.
- Warm milk: Activates yeast and makes the dough tender. Whole milk is preferred but you could also use low-fat milk.
- Sugar: We use both granulated white sugar and light or dark brown sugar to add sweetness.
- Eggs: We add whole eggs to add richness and structure.
- Butter: Adds a buttery flavor to the dough and makes the cinnamon rolls filling extra gooey.
- All-purpose flour: Be sure not to add too much flour, other wise the rolls can be dry. You could also use 1/2 bread flour if you wanted your Orange Sweet Rolls to be a little on the chewier.
- Orange juice: Adds fresh citrus flavor to both the dough and glaze.
- Orange zest: Gives the natural orange flavor.
- Orange Cream Cheese Frosting: Powdered sugar, cream cheese, orange juice, orange zest and vanilla extract.
how to make the best orange cinnamon Roll recipe
Activate the yeast and add liquids: Warm milk and butter in a small pot on the stove or microwave until it’s 110 degrees F. Make sure it isn’t too hot and it should feel like warm bath water. I highly recommend using a food thermometer. Add the milk mixture and yeast to the bowl of a stand mixer and whisk together until combined and the milk is frothy. Let sit for 2 minutes. Add orange juice, orange zest, sugar and eggs. Mix until well combined.
Make dough: Add the flour and cinnamon to the dough and mix in with a wooden spoon until dough begins to form. Place the mixing bowl on the stand mixer and knead the dough with a dough hook for about 8 minutes until a dough ball is formed, scrape down the sides of the bowl a few times. The dough will be slightly sticky but shouldn’t stick to your hands. If it is too sticky add 2 tablespoons of flour. If you don’t have a stand mixer you could use your hands and knead the dough on a well-floured surface.
First rise: Transfer the dough ball to a lightly greased large bowl, cover with a warm damp towel and let dough rise for an 1 – 1 1/2 hours, or until it has doubled in size. The time will vary depending on the humidity and temperature in your home. To make your towel warm, place the damp towel in the microwave for 30 seconds
Roll dough out and add filling: After the dough has doubled in size, transfer to a well-floured work surface and roll out to about 16×12 inch rectangle. Spread softened butter over the dough. Mix together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, orange zest and cinnamon in a small bowl and then sprinkle the mixture over the buttered dough. Gently press the cinnamon sugar mixture down with your hands into the buttered dough.
Cut and let rolls rise again: Tightly roll up the dough, starting at the shorter side. Cut into 8-10 even giant rolls (or 12 smaller rolls) and place on a lightly greased 9×13 baking pan. You could also make the slices with a pizza cutter or sharp knife and then roll the dough into a cinnamon roll. Cover the rolls again and place a warm damp towel on top. Let rise for another 30-45 minutes. They will get a little puffy and rise a bit.
Bake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake cinnamon rolls for 20-25 minutes or until just slightly golden brown on the edges. You want to under-bake them a little so they stay soft and gooey in the middle.
Make frosting and spread on warm rolls: While the cinnamon rolls are cooling, add all of the frosting ingredients together and beat with an electric mixer or whisk until smooth, light and fluffy. Spread the frosting over warm orange cinnamon rolls and serve immediately. Enjoy!
tips
- Frost the cinnamon rolls immediately: The frosting on the cinnamon rolls will slightly melt into the rolls making them extra delicious and gooey! They will be perfect.
- Let the rolls get cozy in the baking pan: Let the rolls touch on all sides of the baking dish. When they rise for the second time they should get so puffy they touch, this will ensure that all of the centers and sides are nice and soft. Making them gooey!
- Extra gooey centers: Underbake the cinnamon rolls to make these ultra gooey and delicious!
- Make perfect swirls: Use a pizza cutter to cut the dough into even strips then roll each strip up into a swirl and place in your baking dish.
- Make sure the rolls won’t stick: Be sure to use parchment paper or cooking spray to the bottom of the baking pan.
- Make sure you give enough time to let the dough rise: This is essential and will help make the rolls extra fluffy and soft.
variations
- Add-ins: Chopped pecans, walnuts, lemon zest, chocolate chips or raisins make great additions.
- Frosting: Add cocoa powder, salted caramel or maple syrup to change up the flavor.
- Make a double batch: You’ll be glad you did!
- Extra decadent: Pour 1 cup of heavy cream all over the tops of the cinnamon rolls so it seeps into the gaps. This will make the rolls extra gooey, rich and delicious!
- Holiday themed: Make these for any holiday or special occasion by adding themed sprinkles to the tops or food coloring to the cream cheese frosting.
- Gluten-free cinnamon rolls: Swap the regular flour for gluten-free flour.
make-ahead cinnamon rolls
If you want to save a few hours during the day, you can make these cinnamon rolls the day or night before.
- After completing steps 1-5, cover the baking pan that your sliced rolls are in and place them in the fridge.
- When you are ready to bake the cinnamon rolls, remove cinnamon rolls from the oven and bring them to room temperature so they can rise for the second time. Make sure to cover them with a warm damp towel.
- Once they are at room temperature bake accordingly to the instructions in the recipe.
To bring the cinnamon rolls to room temperature: Leave them on the counter for 30-45 minutes before baking.
leftovers & storage
Orange Cinnamon Rolls make great leftovers for the next morning! Simply cover the cinnamon rolls with plastic wrap or transfer them to an airtight container and store them at room temperature for 2-3 days.
If you want to store them longer, place them in the refrigerator for up to 6 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven on 350 degrees F for a few minutes.
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Orange Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
Orange Cinnamon Roll Dough
- 1 cup milk whole preferred
- 1/4 cup salted butter
- 1 1/4 ounce packet active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 whole large eggs
- 4 1/4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Filling
- 1/2 cup salted butter softened at room temperature
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Sweet Orange Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Warm milk and butter in a small pot on the stove or microwave until it's 110 degrees F. Make sure it isn't too hot and it should feel like warm bath water. I highly recommend using a food thermometer. Add the milk mixture and yeast to the bowl of a stand mixer and whisk together until combined and the milk is frothy. Let sit for 2 minutes. Add orange juice, orange zest, sugar and eggs. Mix until well combined.
- Add the flour and cinnamon to the dough and mix in with a wooden spoon until dough begins to form. Place the mixing bowl on the stand mixer and knead the dough with a dough hook for about 8 minutes until a dough ball is formed, scrape down the sides of the bowl a few times. The dough will be slightly sticky but shouldn't stick to your hands. If it is too sticky add 2 tablespoons of flour. If you don't have a stand mixer you could use your hands and knead the dough on a well-floured surface.
- Transfer the dough ball to a lightly greased bowl, cover with a warm damp towel and let dough rise for an 1 – 1 1/2 hours, or until it has doubled in size. The time will vary depending on the humidity and temperature in your home. To make your towel warm, place the damp towel in the microwave for 30 seconds
- After the dough has doubled in size, transfer to a well-floured surface and roll out to about 16×12 inch rectangle. Spread softened butter over the dough. Mix together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, orange zest and cinnamon in a small bowl and then sprinkle the mixture over the buttered dough. Gently press the cinnamon sugar mixture down with your hands into the buttered dough.
- Tightly roll up the dough, starting at the shorter side. Cut into 8-10 even giant rolls (or 12 smaller rolls) and place on a lightly greased 9×13 baking pan. You could also make the slices with a pizza cutter or sharp knife and then roll the dough into a cinnamon roll. Cover the rolls again and place a warm damp towel on top. Let rise for another 30-45 minutes. They will get a little puffy and rise a bit.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake cinnamon rolls for 20-25 minutes or until just slightly golden brown on the edges. You want to under-bake them a little so they stay soft and gooey in the middle.
- While the cinnamon rolls are cooling, add all of the frosting ingredients together and beat with an electric mixer or whisk until smooth, light and fluffy. Spread the frosting over warm orange cinnamon rolls and serve immediately. Enjoy!
