Go Back
+ servings
Frosted orange rolls in a casserole dish.
5 from 5 votes

Sweet Orange Rolls

These sweet orange rolls are gooey, sweet, and the perfect brunch for any occasion. Slather the delicious orange zest icing on top top of these rolls to finish them off!
Prep 2 hours
Cook 17 minutes
Total 2 hours 17 minutes
Fat 8
Carbs 69
Protein 5
Yield 12

Ingredients

Dough

  • ½ cup 2% milk warmed to 100-110°F
  • ½ cup orange juice
  • 1 packet of quick rise yeast
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • 3 tablespoons butter melted (unsalted preferred)
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 3.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Filling

Icing

  • 2-3 cups powdered sugar depending on how thick you like your icing
  • 1 tablespoon of orange zest
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice

Instructions

  • Make the cinnamon rolls. Add the warm milk and yeast to a large bowl. Set aside until the yeast has bloomed-- about 5 minutes.
  • Next add the orange juice, maple syrup, melted butter, egg, and orange zest. Whisk to combine.
    A glass bowl with an egg in it.
  • Using a stand mixer on low-medium speed with the dough hook attachment, slowly stir the flour and salt into the wet ingredients. Once all of the flour has been added and a shaggy dough has formed, knead for 2-3 minutes or until the dough is smooth and elastic (it should bounce back when you poke it).
  • Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with plastic wrap and then a tea towel. Place it in a warm place to rise until doubled in size -- about 1-1.5 hours.
    Orange roll dough in an oiled bowl.
  • Make the filling. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, butter and cinnamon. Set aside until ready to use.
  • Assemble the orange rolls. Once the dough has risen for 1 to 1.5 hours, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.
  • Roll it into a rectangle that is approximately 18” long, 12” wide, and 1/4” thick.
  • Spread the filling mixture over the dough making sure to spread all the way to the edges. Then roll into a tight log, starting at one of the long sides. For larger rolls, roll the tight log starting at one of the short sides.
    Rolling the filling for the orange rolls.
  • Slice the log into 1” rolls. This will yield about 12 rolls, depending on how tightly you roll your log and whether you start rolling at a long or short side of the dough.
  • Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper. Add the rolls to the dish, making sure they just barely touch. Depending on how tightly you rolled dough into the log, you can either place rolls 3x4 OR 2x4 with extra rolls in another baking dish.
    Sliced orange rolls in a casserole dish.
  • If you’re making the rolls in advance, wrap them in plastic and place them in the fridge for up to 12 hours. Bring the rolls to room temperature (about 30 minutes) when you’re ready to bake and then skip to step 13.
  • If you aren’t making the rolls in advance, cover with plastic wrap and then a tea towel, and place them in a warm spot to rise until the rolls begin to touch -- about 30 minutes. While the rolls rise, preheat your oven to 350°F and make the icing.
  • Make the orange icing. Combine the orange juice and orange zest in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
  • When the wet ingredients are smooth, turn the mixer to low speed and slowly add the powdered sugar.
  • Scrape down the sides of the bowl and turn the mixer to medium speed. Beat for 30-45 seconds or until the icing is light and fluffy. Set aside.
  • Bake the orange rolls for 15-17 minutes (depending on your oven) or until the centers are set, be sure not to overbake.
    Baked orange rolls in a casserole dish.
  • Allow the orange rolls to cool for 10 minutes before icing.
    Frosting the orange rolls.

Tips & Notes

  • If you roll these from the short side of the dough, it will yield larger rolls (what we did in the photos). If you roll from the long side of the dough, it will yield smaller rolls.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 359kcal | Carbohydrates: 69g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 8g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 39g