Soft Orange Rolls Delight (Printable)

Fluffy, citrus-filled rolls topped with creamy orange-infused frosting for a bright taste.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - Zest of 1 large orange
06 - 1/2 cup whole milk, warmed
07 - 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
08 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
09 - 2 large eggs, room temperature

→ Orange Filling

10 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
11 - 2 tablespoons orange zest
12 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

→ Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

13 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
14 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
15 - 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
16 - 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
17 - 1 teaspoon orange zest
18 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
19 - Pinch of salt

# How To Make It:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk, orange juice, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
02 - Add melted butter, orange zest, eggs, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
03 - Gradually add flour while mixing until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. Knead by hand or with a dough hook for 8 to 10 minutes, adding additional flour as needed, until smooth and elastic.
04 - Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, approximately 1 hour.
05 - In a small bowl, combine sugar and orange zest together to release the essential oils. Set aside.
06 - Punch down the risen dough and roll out on a lightly floured surface into a 16 by 10 inch rectangle.
07 - Spread softened butter evenly over the dough surface. Sprinkle the orange sugar mixture uniformly across the buttered dough.
08 - Starting from the long side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Cut into 12 equal rolls using a sharp knife or dental floss.
09 - Place rolls in a greased 9 by 13 inch baking dish. Cover and let rise until puffy, about 30 to 40 minutes.
10 - Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake rolls for 22 to 25 minutes until golden brown.
11 - While rolls bake, beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add powdered sugar, orange juice, zest, vanilla, and salt; continue beating until creamy and spreadable.
12 - Let rolls cool for 10 minutes, then spread frosting generously over the warm rolls.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Bright citrus flavor that's refreshing and indulgent at the same time
  • Soft, pillowy texture that melts in your mouth
  • Perfect for special brunches, holidays, or weekend treats
  • The orange cream cheese frosting is irresistibly tangy and sweet
  • Make-ahead friendly for stress-free morning baking
02 -
  • For extra citrus flavor, add a few drops of orange extract to the frosting
  • Rolls can be prepared the night before: cover and refrigerate after shaping, then let rise at room temperature before baking
  • Use room temperature eggs and softened butter for the best dough texture
  • Don't over-bake—remove rolls when just golden for maximum softness
  • Frost while rolls are still warm so the frosting melts slightly into the crevices
  • Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or freeze unfrosted rolls for up to 3 months
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