Name: Orange Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour; ¼ cup granulated sugar; 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet); ½ teaspoon salt; ¾ cup whole milk; ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened; ¼ cup orange juice; 1 tablespoon orange zest; 1 large egg; ½ cup unsalted butter, softened; ½ cup brown sugar; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1 tablespoon orange zest; 1 cup powdered sugar; 2–3 tablespoons orange juice; 1 teaspoon orange zest

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If you’re looking for a bakery-style breakfast that’s bursting with citrusy sunshine, these Orange Cinnamon Rolls are about to become your new obsession. Imagine pillowy-soft rolls, laced with warm cinnamon and zesty orange in every bite, and finished with a sweet, tangy orange glaze that catches the morning light. This is the kind of treat you’ll want to make for special occasions, lazy weekends, or anytime you need a little comfort with a twist. Get ready to fall in love with the magic that happens when classic cinnamon rolls meet fresh, vibrant orange!

Orange Cinnamon Rolls Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients for Orange Cinnamon Rolls are simple, but each one is a key player in creating the unforgettable flavor, texture, and color of these dreamy breakfast treats. Don’t be tempted to skip or substitute—the harmony of these ingredients is what makes this recipe sing!

All-purpose flour: Provides the perfect soft, tender structure for the rolls while staying fluffy.
Granulated sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness to the dough.
Active dry yeast: Gives the rolls their signature rise and pillowy texture.
Salt: Balances all the sweet and citrusy flavors.
Whole milk: Ensures the dough stays rich and soft—don’t use skim for best results.
Unsalted butter: Brings richness to both the dough and the filling; make sure it’s softened for easy mixing.
Orange juice: Delivers a bright, fresh citrus punch in both the dough and glaze.
Orange zest: Packs concentrated orange flavor—zest your orange before juicing!
Large egg: Helps bind the dough and adds richness.
Brown sugar: Gives the filling a deep, caramel-like sweetness that pairs beautifully with cinnamon.
Ground cinnamon: The heart of any cinnamon roll, but especially fragrant here with orange.
Powdered sugar: Ensures the glaze is silky smooth and perfectly sweet.

How to Make Orange Cinnamon Rolls

Step 1: Warm the Milk and Orange Juice

Begin by gently warming your milk and orange juice together in a small saucepan until they’re just warm to the touch—about 110°F is perfect. This gentle heat wakes up the yeast, setting the stage for fluffy, cloud-like Orange Cinnamon Rolls. Too hot, and you’ll risk killing the yeast, so aim for pleasantly warm, not scalding.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine the flour, granulated sugar, active dry yeast, and salt. Pour in your warm milk-orange juice mixture, add the softened butter, orange zest, and egg. Mix everything together until a soft dough forms. If it seems a bit sticky, don’t worry—after kneading, it will become smooth and elastic.

Step 3: Knead and Let Rise

Knead your dough for about 5 to 7 minutes, either by hand or using the dough hook on your mixer, until it’s smooth and stretchy. Place the dough into a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a cozy, draft-free spot for about 1 hour, until it’s doubled in size and full of potential.

Step 4: Make the Filling

While the dough is rising, whip up the irresistible filling by mixing softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a tablespoon of orange zest. This fragrant combo is what gives Orange Cinnamon Rolls their signature swirl and aroma. Don’t skimp on the zest—it’s what makes these rolls unforgettable!

Step 5: Roll Out and Fill

Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a 16×12-inch rectangle. Spread your orange-cinnamon filling evenly all the way to the edges. Starting from the long side, roll the dough up tightly, then slice into 12 equal rolls. Arrange them in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish for their final rise.

Step 6: Second Rise and Bake

Cover the baking dish and let your rolls rise again for about 30 minutes—they’ll puff up and fill the pan beautifully. While they rise, preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake the Orange Cinnamon Rolls for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown and your kitchen smells like a citrus bakery dream.

Step 7: Glaze and Serve

Whisk together the powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange zest until smooth and pourable. Once your rolls are out of the oven and still warm, drizzle the glaze generously over the top. The glaze will melt into the rolls, infusing every bite with tangy-sweet orange flavor.

How to Serve Orange Cinnamon Rolls

Garnishes

For a show-stopping finish, sprinkle extra orange zest over the glazed rolls, or add a dusting of powdered sugar for a pretty touch. A few curls of candied orange peel or a scattering of toasted nuts can add a fun twist and extra texture.

Side Dishes

Pair your Orange Cinnamon Rolls with a big bowl of fresh berries or a fruit salad to balance the richness. For a more indulgent brunch, serve alongside creamy yogurt, crispy bacon, or scrambled eggs—these rolls love company!

Creative Ways to Present

Try arranging the rolls in a swirl pattern on a platter, or serve them individually in colorful cupcake liners for a party. If you’re feeling extra fancy, drizzle a bit more glaze right before serving or offer a small bowl of glaze on the side for dipping.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If (and that’s a big if!) you have leftover Orange Cinnamon Rolls, simply cover them tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store at room temperature for up to two days. For longer freshness, pop them in the fridge for up to a week—they’ll stay soft and tasty.

Freezing

These rolls freeze beautifully! After baking and cooling, wrap them individually or in a whole slab, then freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or on the counter, and they’ll taste freshly made when you’re ready to enjoy again.

Reheating

To revive leftover rolls, warm them in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds, or gently reheat in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes. If you froze your rolls, let them thaw first, then reheat. Don’t forget a fresh drizzle of orange glaze to bring them back to life!

FAQs

Can I make Orange Cinnamon Rolls the night before?

Absolutely! Prepare the rolls up to the point of the second rise, cover the pan, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let them come to room temperature and puff up before baking as usual.

What’s the best way to zest an orange?

Use a microplane or fine grater to remove just the bright orange part of the peel—avoid the bitter white pith underneath. Zest before you juice the orange for maximum flavor and ease.

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes, you can swap in instant yeast using the same amount. No need to proof it—just mix it right in with the dry ingredients and follow the recipe as written.

Can I use plant-based milk and butter for a dairy-free version?

Definitely! Substitute your favorite unsweetened plant-based milk and a vegan butter alternative. The Orange Cinnamon Rolls will still be soft and flavorful, with all that citrusy goodness.

How do I prevent the rolls from sticking to the pan?

Grease your baking dish thoroughly with butter or nonstick spray. If you’re still worried about sticking, line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never tried making Orange Cinnamon Rolls, now’s the time to treat yourself. The combination of bright citrus and cozy cinnamon is pure breakfast magic! Give these a whirl in your kitchen—I promise, everyone who tastes them will be coming back for seconds.

Orange Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

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4.8 from 14 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Yield: 12 rolls 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Orange Cinnamon Rolls are a delightful twist on the classic sweet roll. Infused with fresh orange zest and juice in both the dough and filling, they offer a bright citrus flavor balanced with warm cinnamon spice. Finished with a sweet orange glaze, these homemade rolls are perfect for breakfast or brunch and sure to impress with their soft, tender texture and enticing aroma.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough:

3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup granulated sugar
2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup whole milk
¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
¼ cup orange juice
1 tablespoon orange zest
1 large egg

For the Filling:

½ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon orange zest

For the Orange Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar
2–3 tablespoons orange juice
1 teaspoon orange zest

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Instructions

Prepare the Dough: In a small saucepan, warm the milk and orange juice to about 110°F, warm but not hot to the touch. In a large bowl or stand mixer bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, active dry yeast, and salt. Add the warm milk and orange juice mixture, softened butter, orange zest, and egg. Mix until a soft dough forms.
Knead the Dough: Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface or with a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook for 5–7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Make the Filling: While the dough rises, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and orange zest in a small bowl until well mixed.
Shape the Rolls: After the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Roll it out on a floured surface into a 16×12-inch rectangle. Spread the cinnamon orange filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border at the edges.
Roll and Cut: Starting from the long side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Slice the log into 12 equal rolls using a sharp knife or dental floss. Arrange the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover and let the rolls rise again for 30 minutes until puffy.
Bake the Rolls: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 20–25 minutes or until golden brown on top and cooked through.
Prepare the Glaze: While the rolls are baking, whisk together the powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange zest until smooth and slightly pourable. Adjust the consistency adding more orange juice or powdered sugar as needed.
Glaze and Serve: Drizzle the orange glaze over the warm cinnamon rolls just before serving. Enjoy them fresh for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

For an extra burst of orange flavor, add a few drops of orange extract to the glaze.
These rolls can be prepared the night before—assemble and refrigerate overnight, then bake fresh in the morning.
Store leftovers covered at room temperature for 1–2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American