Heavenly Glazed Orange Sweet Rolls Recipe: Treat Your Taste Buds

Warm, pillowy sweet rolls with a glazed orange twist have been my weekend breakfast obsession lately.

My kitchen constantly fills with citrusy aromas that make everyone pause and smile.

These delectable rolls combine soft, tender dough with bright, zesty orange notes that dance across your palate.

Baking these treats feels like a delightful morning ritual that connects comfort and creativity.

Each golden-edged roll promises a burst of sunshine in every delicate bite.

The simple ingredients come together with surprising ease, making this recipe accessible for bakers of all skill levels.

You’ll want to savor every moment of preparing and enjoying these irresistible orange-infused delights.

Why Glazed Orange Sweet Rolls Add Zing to Morning Bakes

• These orange sweet rolls transform ordinary mornings into delightful culinary experiences with minimal effort.
• Requiring just over 2 hours total, this recipe delivers bakery-quality results without complex techniques or professional skills.
• Bursting with bright citrus flavor and irresistible sweetness, these rolls appeal to both kids and adults, making them perfect for leisurely family breakfasts or brunch gatherings.
• Easily adaptable with optional cinnamon or different zest variations, home bakers can personalize these rolls to match individual taste preferences without compromising the core recipe.

Ingredients for the Best Orange Glazed Rolls

• Warm Milk: Creates the perfect environment for yeast activation.
• Active Dry Yeast: Helps the dough rise and develop soft texture, choose fresh and not expired.
• Sugar: Feeds the yeast and adds subtle sweetness.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure for the sweet rolls, use unbleached for best results.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and controls yeast growth.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create tender texture, use unsalted for better control.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and provides richness to the dough.

• Butter: Creates smooth filling base, use softened at room temperature.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness to filling, preferably granulated.
• Orange Zest: Provides bright citrus flavor and aromatic notes.
• Cinnamon: Optional spice that complements orange flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, glossy glaze.
• Orange Juice: Adds tangy flavor and adjusts glaze consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity, use pure extract for best results.

How to Make Citrus-Filled Sweet Rolls

Step 1: Wake Up the Yeast

Stir together warm milk, active yeast, and a sprinkle of sugar in a small container. Let it bubble and come alive for about 10 minutes until it looks frothy and excited.

Step 2: Create Dough Magic

• All-purpose flour
• Remaining sugar
• Salt

Add the bubbly yeast mixture, melted butter, and a fresh egg. Mix until a soft, pillowy dough forms.

Step 3: Knead with Love

Work the dough on a flour-dusted surface or use a stand mixer with a dough hook. Knead for 5-8 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and stretchy.

Step 4: Let the Dough Rest and Rise

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it gently, and let it hang out in a warm spot for about an hour. Watch it double in size like a happy bread balloon.

Step 5: Prepare Zesty Filling

• Softened butter
• Sugar
• Fresh orange zest
• Cinnamon (optional but recommended)

Blend until you create a fragrant, smooth paste.

Step 6: Roll Out the Goodness

Punch down the risen dough and roll it into a rectangular shape on a floured surface.

Step 7: Spread the Sunshine

Evenly distribute the orange filling across the dough’s surface.

Step 8: Create Beautiful Swirls

Roll the dough tightly from the long side into a perfect log. Slice into 12 beautiful rolls and nestle them into a greased baking dish.

Step 9: Second Rise

Cover the rolls with a clean kitchen towel. Let them puff up for 30-40 minutes.

Step 10: Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake rolls for 20-25 minutes until they turn a gorgeous golden brown.

Step 11: Drizzle with Citrus Glaze

• Powdered sugar
• Fresh orange juice
• Orange zest
• Vanilla extract

Adjust liquid for desired consistency.

Step 12: Finish and Celebrate

Drizzle the tangy glaze over warm rolls. Serve immediately and enjoy the burst of citrusy happiness!

Baking Tips for Tangy, Soft Orange Rolls

• Master Your Orange Sweet Rolls with These Pro Tips
• Activate Yeast Perfectly: Ensure milk is warm (110-115°F) to help yeast bloom without killing it, creating soft, fluffy rolls every time.
• Knead for Texture: Develop gluten by kneading thoroughly, which creates a light, airy texture and helps rolls rise beautifully.
• Control Rising Environment: Place dough in a draft-free, warm spot like near a preheated oven or wrapped in a towel to help it rise consistently.
• Customize Flavor Boost: Experiment with additional orange zest in the filling or glaze for an intense citrus punch that elevates the entire recipe.
• Prevent Overdrying: Cover rolls with a damp cloth during rising to keep the dough moist and prevent a tough surface from forming.

Keeping Orange Rolls Soft and Flavorful

• Store leftover rolls in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Wrap each roll individually in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Place cooled rolls in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Warm rolls at 300°F for 8-10 minutes, covering with foil to prevent over-browning. This method helps restore their soft, fresh-from-the-oven texture.
• Warm individual rolls for 15-20 seconds. Add a damp paper towel to prevent them from becoming tough or rubbery.

What to Serve with Orange Breakfast Rolls

• Blend fresh orange juice with chilled champagne for a bright, tangy drink that complements the sweet rolls' orange flavor.
• Serve a creamy, nutty almond yogurt on the side to balance the rolls' sweetness and add a refreshing protein element.
• Brew a delicate lavender-infused honey tea that echoes the rolls' floral citrus notes and provides a soothing, aromatic companion.
• Create a quick mixed berry sauce to add tartness and freshness, cutting through the rich, sweet orange glaze of the rolls.

Citrus Glaze Variants for a New Roll Experience

Gluten-Free Orange Sweet Rolls: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free blend and add xanthan gum for better texture and binding.

Vegan Orange Sweet Rolls: Substitute dairy milk with almond milk, use coconut oil instead of butter, and replace egg with a flax egg mixture.

Reduced Sugar Orange Sweet Rolls: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in the dough and filling, and create a lighter glaze with sugar-free powdered sweetener.

Whole Wheat Healthy Orange Sweet Rolls: Use whole wheat pastry flour for added nutrition, reduce sugar content, and incorporate ground flaxseed into the dough for extra fiber.

The Best Glazed Orange Sweet Rolls Recipe

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4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Breakfast dreams come alive with this Orange Sweet Rolls masterpiece, blending citrusy zest and pillowy dough. Warm, fragrant rolls drizzled with tangy glaze promise pure morning delight for anyone craving a delectable start to their day.

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Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients:

• 3 ½ cups (440 grams) all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

Wet and Enriching Ingredients:

• ¾ cup (180 milliliters) warm milk (110°F/45°C)
• ¼ cup (60 grams) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• ⅓ cup (75 grams) unsalted butter, softened

Flavoring and Glaze Ingredients:

• ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons orange zest (from about 2 oranges)
• 1 cup (120 grams) powdered sugar
• 2 ¾ tablespoons fresh orange juice
• ½ teaspoon orange zest
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Activate the yeast by dissolving it in warm milk with a touch of sugar, allowing the mixture to become frothy and aromatic for about 5-7 minutes.
2. Create a soft, pliable dough by combining flour, remaining sugar, and salt with the activated yeast, melted butter, and egg. Mix until a cohesive texture forms.
3. Develop the dough’s elasticity through thorough kneading, either by hand on a floured surface or using a stand mixer with a dough hook, working the mixture until smooth and resilient.
4. Allow the dough to rise in a greased bowl, covered, in a warm environment until it doubles in volume, typically around 1 hour.
5. Prepare a fragrant filling by blending softened butter, sugar, vibrant orange zest, and optional cinnamon into a uniform, spreadable paste.
6. Gently deflate the risen dough and roll it into a rectangular shape, ensuring an even thickness across the surface.
7. Distribute the citrusy filling evenly across the dough, creating a consistent layer of flavor.
8. Carefully roll the dough from the long side, forming a compact log, then slice into 12 uniform rolls.
9. Arrange the rolls in a greased baking dish, allowing them sufficient space to expand and rise.
10. Provide a second proofing period, covering the rolls with a clean towel and letting them become puffy for 30-40 minutes.
11. Heat the oven to 375F (190C) and bake the rolls until they transform into a golden-brown, enticing delicacy.
12. Craft a luscious glaze by whisking powdered sugar with fresh orange juice, zest, and vanilla extract until silky smooth.
13. Generously drizzle the citrus glaze over the warm rolls, creating an irresistible finish that enhances their aromatic profile.

Notes

• Activate instant yeast by ensuring warm milk temperature sits between 100-110°F for optimal fermentation without killing the yeast.
• Prevent dough from becoming tough by kneading gently and avoiding over-mixing, which develops excess gluten and creates dense rolls.
• Customize filling by substituting orange zest with other citrus like lemon or adding ground cardamom for a unique aromatic twist.
• Accommodate dairy-free diets by replacing milk with almond milk and using coconut oil instead of butter while maintaining similar rich texture.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 230
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 160 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg