Mmm, you can just smell those rolls baking to a golden brown in the oven, enchanting your morning with… wait a minute. That’s not a cinnamon aroma. Rather it’s a sunnier and brighter scent that’s perfuming the whole house. What a delightful twist! Orange Rolls indeed fills the hypnotizingly sweet swirls of its fluffy pastry with a tangy, orange filling that invokes the summer day in all the best ways. Then each one is draped with a zesty and rich glaze that packs even more orange flavor in every bite. Orange Rolls add a new enchantment to your morning spellbook of sensational treats, and this is a spell that will charm everyone!
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 1 cup of warm water
- 3/4 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 2 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 5-6 cups all-purpose flour, plus more as needed
For the filling:
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
- 6 tablespoons butter, softened
For the orange frosting:
- 6 tablespoons butter, softened
- 4 tablespoons fresh orange juice, plus more as needed
- 1/4 teaspoon orange zest
- 3 1/2–4 cups powdered sugar
Directions
Step 1 –In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, add the warm water, buttermilk, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, melted butter, and yeast, mixing until combined.
Step 2 –Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes.
Step 3 –Add the eggs, salt, and flour.
Step 4 –Mix on medium-low speed for 8-10 minutes.
Step 5 –Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow the dough to rest for 10 minutes.
Step 6 –Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Step 7 –In a small bowl, add the remaining granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons orange zest, and 1 tablespoon orange juice, stirring to combine.
Step 8 –Place a silicone baking mat or parchment paper on a baking sheet.
Step 9 –Spray the countertop with cooking spray.
Step 10 –Place the dough on the sprayed countertop and roll it into a 14×18-inch rectangle.
Step 11 –Using the back of a spoon, smear 6 tablespoons of the softened butter over the top of the dough.
Step 12 –Sprinkle the orange sugar mixture evenly over the softened butter.
Step 13 –Starting with the long side, roll the dough into a log so the resulting cinnamon roll measures 18-inches in length.
Step 14 –Cut the roll into 12 large rolls.
Step 15 –Place the rolls on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 16 –Lightly cover the orange rolls and set them in a warm place to rise for 20 minutes.
Step 17 –Bake until golden brown and cooked through, about 20-24 minutes.
Step 18 –While the rolls are baking, in the bowl of a stand mixer or with a handheld mixer, beat the remaining butter until smooth.
Step 19 –Add the remaining orange juice, remaining orange zest, and powdered sugar to the bowl and beat until smooth.
Step 20 –Add more of the orange juice, 1 tablespoon at a time, if the frosting is too thick. It should be a spreadable consistency.
Step 21 –Let the orange rolls sit for 3 minutes before frosting them while still warm.
Step 22 –Serve warm.