Orange Sweet Rolls are soft and sweet with a tangy orange glaze that will make breakfast a little bit extra – delicious, that is!
Apparently 2020 has been my year for sweet rolls and cinnamon rolls. This will be my fourth one this year. But, as with many things, I don’t go the traditional route. I’m all about fun and seasonal flavors, and these Orange Sweet Rolls are no exception. There is something so comforting about warm sweet rolls, fresh from the oven and bursting with flavor. And glaze. That’s a must.
The holidays are a time for so many delicious meals and desserts, so many festive flavors, and I always associate orange, in one way or another with Christmas. In case you haven’t noticed – ha. These rolls are soft and fluffy and the cinnamon and orange pair so well together, with the sweet glaze to wrap it all up in a nice little tasty bow.
What it takes to make Orange Sweet Rolls
Water
Instant Yeast
Orange Juice & Zest
Granulated Sugar
Salt
Egg
Unsalted Butter
All-purpose Flour
Ground Cinnamon
Powdered Sugar
Almond Extract
How to make Orange Sweet Rolls
Full Printable Recipe Below!
Step 1
In a large bowl, add the warm water and yeast. Stir to combine and allow to sit for about 5 minutes, until foamy. Stir in the orange zest, juice, granulated sugar, salt, egg, butter and 1 1/2 cups of flour.
Step 2
Using a hand mixer, mix until well-combined, scraping down the sides as necessary. Add the remaining 2 cups of flour and mix with a wooden spoon until the dough is no longer and sticky and has a slight bounce-back if you poke it.
Step 3
Remove the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-6 minutes. Shape the dough into a ball and place in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover and allow to rise in a warm place until double in size, about an hour.
Step 4
Line a 9×13 (or 10-12″ round) baking dish with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray and set aside.
Step 5
Remove dough from the bowl to a lightly floured surface and use a rolling pin to roll into a 10×15-inch rectangle that is even thickness all over.
Step 6
Combine the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl and set aside.
Step 7
Spread the softened butter over the surface of the dough. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the top, the top with the orange zest.
Step 8
Starting with one of the long sides, roll the dough tightly and with a sharp knife cut 1 1/4-inch slices. Place the slices into the prepared baking dish, cover and allow to rise for 30 minutes.
Step 9
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove and allow to cool slightly while preparing the glaze.
Step 10
In a medium bowl or glass measuring cup, combine the powdered sugar, orange juice and zest, and almond extract. Stir until smooth.
Step 11
Pour the glaze over the warm rolls and serve!
I learned the hard way that a hand mixer does NOT work the same as as stand mixer with a dough hook, and that kneading by hand is absolutely necessary when lacking said stand mixer. Thank you RV life. And if I’m being honest, I got a strange sort of satisfaction out of feeling the dough come together in my hands instead of watching it twirl around in the mixer. Call me crazy, but it is what it is and these Orange Sweet Rolls are amazing good!
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Make these Orange Sweet Rolls soon, and check out more great recipes below!
Orange Sweet Rolls
Ingredients
For the dough
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast
- 2 Tbsp orange zest
- 1/2 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 lg egg
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
For the filling
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 Tbsp orange zest
For the glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 Tbsp orange juice
- 2 Tbsp orange zest
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
Instructions
For the dough
- In a large bowl, add the warm water and yeast. Stir to combine and allow to sit for about 5 minutes, until foamy. Stir in the orange zest, juice, granulated sugar, salt, egg, butter and 1 1/2 cups of flour.
- Using a hand mixer, mix until well-combined, scraping down the sides as necessary. Add the remaining 2 cups of flour and mix with a wooden spoon until the dough is no longer and sticky and has a slight bounce-back if you poke it.
- Remove the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-6 minutes. Shape the dough into a ball and place in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover and allow to rise in a warm place until double in size, about an hour.
- Line a 9×13 (or 10-12" round) baking dish with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray and set aside.
- Remove dough from the bowl to a lightly floured surface and use a rolling pin to roll into a 10×15-inch rectangle that is even thickness all over.
For the filling
- Combine the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl and set aside.
- Spread the softened butter over the surface of the dough. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the top, the top with the orange zest.
- Starting with one of the long sides, roll the dough tightly and with a sharp knife cut 1 1/4-inch slices. Place the slices into the prepared baking dish, cover and allow to rise for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove and allow to cool slightly while preparing the glaze.
For the glaze
- In a medium bowl or glass measuring cup, combine the powdered sugar, orange juice and zest, and almond extract. Stir until smooth.
- Pour the glaze over the warm rolls and serve!
Nutrition
Welcome to #ChristmasSweetsWeek 2020! Co-hosted by Terri from Love and Confections and Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures! What better way to celebrate the holidays than with food and fun? 21 bloggers from around the country have come together to share some of their favorite sweet Christmas recipes!! Deck the halls and get ready for very merry sweet treats, like fudge, cookies, Christmas morning breakfasts, layer cakes, cocoa, and more! Follow along on social media with our #ChristmasSweetsWeek hashtag. Happy Holidays!
Enjoy these #ChristmasSweetsWeek recipes from our bloggers:
Beverage Recipes
Frozen Eggnog Cocktail by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Breakfast and Baked Goods Recipes
Orange Sweet Rolls by Sweet Beginnings
Peppermint Mocha Muffins by Making Miracles
Candy and Fudge Recipes
Candied Almonds by House of Nash Eats
Easy Homemade Christmas Crack Toffee by Blogghetti
Egg Nog Fudge by A Little Fish in the Kitchen Lemon
Pastry and Dessert Recipes
Achu Murukku / Rosette Cookies by Magical Ingredients
Bittersweet Chocolate Bourbon Balls by An Affair from the Heart
Candy Cane White Chocolate Cookies by The Redhead Baker
Candy Crunch Ice Cream Cake by The Mandatory Mooch
Carrot Cake Crinkle Sandwich Cookies by Bear & Bug Eats
Chocolate Covered Cherry Mice by The Spiffy Cookie
Gingerbread Men Cookies by Kathryn’s Kitchen Blog
Peppermint Fudge Cake by Simply Inspired Meals
St Louis Gooey Butter Cake by For the Love of Food
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