Description
These Homemade Glazed Orange Rolls are a delightful twist on classic cinnamon rolls, featuring a fragrant orange zest filling and a tangy orange glaze. Soft, fluffy, and bursting with citrus flavor, these rolls are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a special treat any time of day.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
Filling
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons orange zest (included with dough for best integration)
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
Instructions
- Activate yeast: Warm the milk to 110°F and stir in the active dry yeast with a pinch of sugar. Let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Prepare dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs, melted butter, sugar, salt, and orange zest. Gradually add the flour while mixing to form a soft dough.
- Knead dough: Knead the dough by hand or with a mixer fitted with a dough hook for about 8 minutes until the dough becomes elastic and smooth. Place it in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Make filling: In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, granulated sugar, and orange zest until well combined to create the filling.
- Roll and fill dough: On a floured surface, roll out the risen dough into a 12 by 18 inch rectangle. Spread the orange sugar butter filling evenly over the dough. Then carefully roll the dough into a log and cut into 12 equal rolls.
- Second rise: Arrange the rolls in a greased baking dish, cover them, and let them rise again for 30 to 45 minutes until puffy.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown. If the tops brown too quickly, cover loosely with aluminum foil.
- Prepare glaze: While the rolls bake, combine powdered sugar with fresh orange juice in a bowl to make a smooth glaze.
- Glaze and serve: Drizzle the orange glaze over the warm rolls immediately after baking. Serve fresh for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Ensure the milk is not too hot when mixing with yeast to avoid killing the yeast.
- Use fresh orange zest for the brightest flavor in both dough and filling.
- Cover the dough properly during rising to prevent drying out.
- If you want a stronger orange flavor, add a bit more orange zest to the glaze.
- These rolls can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days and reheated gently.
