Description
These homemade orange sweet rolls are soft, fluffy, and bursting with fresh citrus flavor. Made from a tender yeast dough enriched with milk, butter, and egg, the rolls are filled with a zesty orange-sugar butter, baked to golden perfection, and topped with a luscious orange cream cheese frosting. Perfect for a special breakfast or brunch treat, these rolls combine aromatic zest with creamy sweetness for an irresistible indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup milk (whole or 2% recommended)
- 1/4 cup (57 g) salted butter
- 1/4 cup (53 g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1 large egg
- 3 to 4 cups (426 to 568 g) all-purpose flour
Filling
- 1/2 cup (113 g) salted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (159 g) granulated sugar
- 2 to 3 tablespoons fresh orange zest (from about 2-3 medium oranges)
Frosting
- 3 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
- 6 tablespoons (85 g) salted butter, softened
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon milk or heavy cream (can substitute fresh orange juice)
- 1 to 2 teaspoons fresh orange zest (or more, to taste)
- 1 1/4 cups (143 g) powdered sugar
Instructions
- Scald the Milk: Heat the milk in a medium saucepan or microwave until steaming with small bubbles around the edges, but do not let it boil. Transfer the hot milk to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook or a large mixing bowl if mixing by hand.
- Mix Base Ingredients: Add the butter, granulated sugar, and salt to the hot milk, stirring until the butter melts completely. Let this mixture cool until just warm to avoid killing the yeast.
- Add Yeast and Egg: Stir in the instant yeast and the large egg into the cooled milk mixture, mixing until fully combined.
- Add Flour and Knead: Gradually add the all-purpose flour one cup at a time, mixing until the dough clears the sides of the bowl and is soft and slightly sticky, usually around 3.5 cups. Knead the dough for 2 to 3 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with greased plastic wrap or a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Prepare Filling: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, granulated sugar, and fresh orange zest until well blended.
- Shape the Rolls: On a lightly floured surface, roll or pat the dough into a 14×10-inch rectangle. Spread the orange filling evenly over the dough. Starting at a long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log and pinch the seams to seal.
- Cut and Form Rolls: Use a serrated knife to cut the log into 12 even slices about 1 to 1.5 inches thick. For classic rolls, place the slices in a greased 9×13-inch pan in 3 rows of 4. For twisted rolls, stretch each slice into a long oval, twist the center, and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Second Rise: Cover the rolls and let them rise in a warm place until puffy and nearly doubled in size, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 18 to 22 minutes until they are just slightly golden on top.
- Make the Frosting: While the rolls bake or cool, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add a pinch of salt, milk or heavy cream (or fresh orange juice), and orange zest, mixing well. Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until the frosting is light and creamy.
- Frost and Serve: Spread the cream cheese orange frosting evenly over the slightly warm rolls. Serve immediately, or let the rolls cool and serve at room temperature or warmed.
Notes
- Use fresh orange zest for the best citrus flavor in both filling and frosting.
- Scalding the milk improves dough texture by breaking down proteins.
- Ensure the milk mixture is cooled to lukewarm before adding yeast to prevent killing it.
- You can substitute fresh orange juice in the frosting for a tangier flavor.
- The dough may require slight adjustment in flour amount; it should be soft but not overly sticky.
- For twisted rolls, reshape cuts before proofing and baking.
- Rolls are best enjoyed the same day but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
