Description

These Melt-in-Your-Mouth Orange Rolls are soft, fluffy, and bursting with fresh citrus flavor. Enhanced with a spiced orange-cinnamon filling and topped with a creamy, tangy orange frosting made from cream cheese, these rolls are a delightful treat perfect for breakfast or dessert. Their tender crumb and vibrant glaze make them irresistible and perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

1 cup Warm Water (Room temperature is ideal)
2 teaspoons Quick Rise Yeast (Must be fresh)
1/4 cup Granulated Sugar (Can use brown sugar for richer flavor)
4 cups All-Purpose Flour (Adjust based on dough consistency)
1/4 cup Melted Butter (Can replace with oil for dairy-free)
1 teaspoon Salt (Essential for flavor balance)

Filling Ingredients

1 tablespoon Cinnamon (Omit for citrus-only flavor)
2 tablespoons Orange Zest (Fresh zest is best)
3 tablespoons Granulated Sugar (used for filling)
2 tablespoons Melted Butter (for spreading on dough before filling)

Creamy Frosting Ingredients

8 ounces Cream Cheese (Use mascarpone for different flavor)
1/4 cup Butter (softened, inferred from typical frosting recipes)
2 cups Powdered Sugar (Reduce for less sweetness)
2 tablespoons Corn Syrup (Honey or agave can be substitutes)
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (Optional but recommended)
1/4 cup Fresh Orange Juice (Freshly squeezed is best)
2 tablespoons Orange Zest (for added frosting flavor)

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Instructions

Activate the Yeast: Combine warm water, quick rise yeast, and 3 tablespoons of sugar in a stand mixer bowl. Let it sit until frothy and bubbly, about 10 minutes, to ensure the yeast is active.
Make the Dough: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar, 2 cups of all-purpose flour, melted butter, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix well to combine all ingredients.
Incorporate Flour: Gradually add the remaining 2 cups of flour while mixing until a soft, tacky dough forms that pulls away from the sides of the bowl but remains slightly sticky.
First Rise: Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and allow it to rise in a warm place for 2 to 3 hours, or optionally overnight in the refrigerator for enhanced flavor development.
Prepare the Filling: In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar, orange zest, and cinnamon thoroughly, creating the aromatic filling for the rolls.
Shape the Rolls: Roll the risen dough out on a lightly floured surface into a large rectangle. Spread melted butter evenly over the surface, then sprinkle the prepared sugar, orange zest, and cinnamon filling evenly on top.
Form the Rolls: Starting from one long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Slice the log into 1.5-inch thick rolls and place them cut side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving some space between each roll.
Second Rise: Cover the rolls loosely and let them rise for another hour until puffy.
Preheat Oven and Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 20 to 25 minutes until they turn golden brown and are cooked through.
Make the Creamy Frosting: While the rolls bake, beat together cream cheese, softened butter, orange juice, orange zest, vanilla extract, corn syrup, and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
Finish and Serve: Once the rolls have baked, spread the creamy orange frosting generously over the warm rolls to melt slightly into the nooks and crannies. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.

Notes

Using fresh orange zest and juice is essential for the best citrus flavor.
You can store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Reheat rolls gently in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds before serving to regain softness.
For a dairy-free version, substitute melted butter with a neutral oil and use a dairy-free cream cheese alternative for the frosting.
Allowing the dough to rise overnight in the fridge develops richer flavor and makes rolling easier.
The corn syrup in the frosting adds shine and smoothness but can be replaced with honey or agave syrup if preferred.