Dreamy Citrus Magic: Heavenly Glazed Orange Sweet Rolls Recipe

Sweet, pillowy dough meets a zesty orange glaze that dances across your taste buds in these mouthwatering orange sweet rolls.

Soft layers of buttery pastry embrace a bright citrus essence that awakens every sense.

The kitchen fills with an irresistible aroma of warm, freshly baked goodness.

Each roll promises a delicate balance of sweet and tangy flavors that melt effortlessly on your tongue.

Delicate swirls of dough are brushed with a glossy, vibrant orange glaze that adds a sunshine-like brightness to every bite.

Weekend brunches and special morning gatherings will never be the same once you serve these delectable treats.

Let these rolls become your new breakfast favorite that everyone will be begging you to make again.

How to Make Orange Sweet Rolls from Scratch

• Activate Yeast

Combine warm milk with yeast and a touch of sugar, letting it bloom until foamy and fragrant.

• Create Dough Base

Mix flour, remaining sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Incorporate yeast mixture, melted butter, and egg until a soft, pliable dough emerges.

• Knead and Rise

Work the dough on a floured surface or use a stand mixer until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl and let rise in a warm spot until doubled.

• Prepare Orange Filling

Blend softened butter with sugar, orange zest, and optional cinnamon into a luscious, aromatic spread.

• Shape and Fill

Roll out dough into a rectangle, generously spread orange filling across the surface. Tightly roll from the long side and slice into 12 pieces.

• Final Rise and Bake

Arrange rolls in a greased baking dish, cover, and let puff up. Bake in a preheated 375F oven until golden and irresistible.

• Drizzle with Glaze

Whip together powdered sugar, orange juice, zest, and vanilla into a silky glaze. Pour over warm rolls and serve immediately.

Flavor and Baking Tips for Orange Sweet Rolls

• Quick tips to elevate your orange sweet rolls to perfection.
• Ensure warm, draft-free environment for optimal rising – use your oven's proof setting or a warm sunny spot in your kitchen.
• Add extra orange zest to filling and glaze for an intense citrusy punch that'll make taste buds dance.
• Swap regular milk with almond or oat milk for dairy-free version; use gluten-free flour blend for celiac-friendly alternative.
• Prepare rolls night before, refrigerate overnight, then let sit at room temperature 30 minutes before baking for fresh morning treat.

Serving Suggestions for Glazed Orange Sweet Rolls

• Cozy Breakfast Companion: Pair these orange sweet rolls with a steaming cup of coffee or freshly squeezed orange juice for a delightful morning treat.
• Weekend Brunch Star: Serve these rolls alongside scrambled eggs and crispy bacon to create a crowd-pleasing weekend brunch spread that will impress family and friends.
• Dessert Transformation: Elevate the rolls as a light dessert by adding a small scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence.
• Holiday Morning: Perfect for special occasions like Christmas or Easter morning, these rolls can become a cherished family tradition that everyone looks forward to enjoying together.

Save & Reheat Your Sweet Rolls Without Losing That Glaze

• Wrap rolls individually in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Gently reheat in microwave for 15-20 seconds to restore softness.
• Place unglazed rolls in freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for maximum 1 month. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and warm before serving.
• Prepare roll dough up to first rise, then refrigerate overnight. Let sit at room temperature 30 minutes before rolling and baking next day for convenient breakfast prep.
• Keep orange glaze separately in sealed container within refrigerator for 5-7 days. Stir well before drizzling over warmed rolls to restore smooth consistency.

FAQs

• What type of yeast works best for this recipe?

Active dry yeast or instant yeast are both excellent choices. If using active dry yeast, ensure it’s fresh and proofed correctly in warm milk before mixing with other ingredients.

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough the night before. After kneading, cover and refrigerate overnight. Let it come to room temperature and rise before rolling and filling in the morning.

• How do I know the dough is properly kneaded?

The dough should become smooth, elastic, and spring back when gently pressed. It should not stick to your hands or the surface. Kneading develops gluten, which gives the rolls their soft texture.

• What if my kitchen is cold and the dough doesn't rise?

Place the dough in a slightly warm oven (turned off) or near a warm appliance. You can also create a warm environment by placing a bowl of hot water next to the dough while it rises.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Calories: 230 kcal

Servings: 12

Ingredients to Make the Best Glazed Orange Sweet Rolls

• Flour: The foundation for pillowy soft rolls, choose unbleached all-purpose for best texture.
• Sugar: Feeds yeast and adds subtle sweetness, white granulated works perfectly.
• Salt: Balances flavors and strengthens gluten structure in the dough.
• Milk: Activates yeast and provides rich moisture, use room temperature.
• Yeast: al ingredient that makes dough rise, ensure it's fresh and not expired.
• Butter: Adds richness and tender crumb, use unsalted for precise flavor control.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and gives structure to the rolls, use large fresh eggs.

• Butter: Creates smooth, spreadable base for filling, soften at room temperature.
• Sugar: Adds sweet caramelization and depth to the filling.
• Orange Zest: Introduces bright, citrusy aroma and intense orange flavor.
• Cinnamon: Optional warm spice that complements citrus notes beautifully.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, drizzle-able topping with silky consistency.
• Orange Juice: Provides tangy liquid base and fresh citrus punch.
• Orange Zest: Intensifies citrus aroma and adds vibrant flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out sweetness with complex, smooth undertone.

Tools for Glazed Orange Sweet Rolls at Home

• Stand Mixer or Mixing Bowl: Essential for creating smooth, elastic dough with minimal effort.
• Dough Hook: Helps knead dough efficiently if using a stand mixer.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements ensure perfect sweet rolls.
• Floured Surface or Pastry Mat: Provides clean workspace for rolling and shaping dough.
• 9×13-inch Baking Dish: Perfect size for baking and presenting rolls.
• Small Bowls: Needed for mixing yeast, filling, and glaze ingredients.
• Rolling Pin: Helps roll dough into an even rectangle.
• Sharp Knife or Bench Scraper: Used for cutting rolls into equal sizes.
• Clean Kitchen Towel: Covers rolls during second rise.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Optional, helps cool rolls evenly after baking.

Heavenly Glazed Orange Sweet Rolls

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4.6 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Sinful glazed orange sweet rolls bring citrusy comfort from Southern kitchens. Bakers adore this nostalgic recipe that melts in your mouth and warms your heart with classic homestyle charm.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 large egg
• ¾ cup (180 ml) warm milk (110°F/45°C)
• ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, melted
• ⅓ cup (75 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 ½ cups (440 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 2 ¼ tsps (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsps orange zest (from about 2 oranges)
• ½ tsp orange zest
• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 2 ¾ tbsps fresh orange juice
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Yeast Activation: Dissolve yeast in warm milk with sugar, allowing the mixture to become frothy and aromatic for 5-7 minutes.
2. Dough Preparation: Combine flour, remaining sugar, salt, activated yeast, melted butter, and egg. Knead until a smooth, elastic dough forms, either by hand or using a stand mixer with a dough hook.
3. First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm environment until doubled in volume, approximately 1 hour.
4. Filling Creation: Blend softened butter, sugar, orange zest, and optional cinnamon into a uniform, spreadable paste.
5. Dough Shaping: Deflate the risen dough, roll into a rectangular shape, and evenly spread the citrusy filling across the surface. Roll from the long side into a compact log, then slice into 12 uniform rolls.
6. Second Proofing: Arrange rolls in a greased baking dish, cover with a clean towel, and let rise until puffy, 30-40 minutes.
7. Baking: Preheat oven to 375F (190C). Bake rolls until golden brown and fragrant.
8. Glaze Finishing: Whisk powdered sugar with fresh orange juice, zest, and vanilla extract. Drizzle the silky glaze over warm rolls, creating an irresistible citrus-infused topping.

Notes

Manage Yeast Activation: Ensure milk temperature is between 100-110°F to prevent killing yeast; too hot kills microorganisms, too cold prevents proper activation.

Control Dough Elasticity: Knead consistently until dough becomes smooth and springs back when gently pressed, indicating proper gluten development for soft, tender rolls.

Optimize Rising Conditions: Place dough in draft-free, warm area around 80-85°F with slight humidity; covering with damp cloth helps maintain moisture and consistent temperature.

Customize Dietary Variations: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free blend for celiac-friendly version; replace dairy milk with almond or oat milk for vegan adaptation.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 292
• Sugar: 19 g
• Sodium: 170 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 37 mg