Every now and then, a recipe will take you back to your childhood. Our homemade Orange Rolls are one of those recipes. We can still smell the scent of warm, fluffy rolls dripping in a sweet, orange glaze wafting from the kitchen. Make them today to see for yourself!

There’s nothing like a homemade, fresh-out-of-the-oven recipe to warm your kitchen and your family’s hearts. Our orange roll recipe results in fluffy buns filled with sweet sugar and tangy orange zest, then drizzled in a rich cream cheese frosting.

It’s the kind of recipe you make when you want to trade a busy morning and grab-and-go breakfasts for slow living and a heartwarming treat. Our No Knead Dutch Oven Bread and Best Ever Banana Bread Recipe are more homemade baked goods your family will love.

Ingredients

• Flour: We use all-purpose flour in this recipe, which results in a softer dough.
• Yeast: Yeast acts as a leavening agent that allows the dough to rise. It also ferments the sugars. Look for a dry active dry yeast in the grocery store.
• Lemon Emulsion: This is a water-based, alcohol free alternative to lemon extract. However, you can use lemon extract instead of the emulsion. Lemon adds a bright, citrus complement to the orange, elevating the overall flavor profile. 
• Sugars: Regular granulated sugar sweetens the dough while a combination of white and brown sugar creates a sweet filling.  The fine texture of powdered sugar works best as a thickener in the frosting so it’s not too runny and keeps it smooth. It also adds the traditionally sweet flavor that makes us want to lick the icing from the mixer blade. 
• Eggs: You’ll need three eggs, lightly beaten, to incorporate into the dough. Large eggs are the standard size used in baking unless otherwise indicated. 
• Oil: Mild-tasting oils are preferred when baking so they don’t interfere with the flavor. Try canola, sunflower, or grapeseed oil.
• Orange Zest and Juice: Use whatever type of orange you have on hand to create the zest. If you don’t have a zester, you can use the fine side of a regular grater. Whichever tool you use, be sure to avoid zesting the white part of the orange just under the skin as it is bitter. After zesting the oranges, squeeze them for fresh orange juice. You can also purchase pure-squeezed orange juice from the grocery store.  
• Butter: You’ll need slightly melted butter to coat the dough as well as room temperature butter to make the cream cheese frosting.
• Cream Cheese: Bring the cream cheese to room temperature so that it’s easier to mix with the other ingredients in the cream cheese frosting. To quickly soften the cream cheese, you can let it sit in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes, microwave it in 10-second intervals, or cut it up into cubes and set it out on the counter for 15 to 20 minutes. 
• Vanilla Extract: This popular extract brings an aromatic, sweet flavor to the frosting. Bakers tend to prefer pure vanilla extract. You can use imitation vanilla as well. Almond extract can fill in for vanilla if you don’t have vanilla on hand. 

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.

Variations

• Add Warmth and Spice: Sprinkle cinnamon, clove, or ginger into the filling mixture to add a little warmth and spice to the orange roll filling. 
• Gluten Free Option: Substitute the flour with a 1 to 1 or cup for cup gluten- free baking flour. 
• Change the Citrus: Swap the orange for lemon or lime. 
• Add Dried Fruit: Add raisins, dried cranberries, or dried cherries to the orange bun filling.
• Experiment with the Filling: Consider adding almonds, hazelnuts, or chocolate shavings to the filling. They all pair really well with the zesty orange flavor. 

How to Make Orange Rolls

Gather a large bowl, a couple of clean dish towels, and two baking sheets. Line the baking sheets with parchment paper, and set them aside. Set out the butter and cream cheese to soften, and the eggs to bring them to room temperature. 

1. Step 1: Dissolve the Yeast.  Pour the yeast into a ½ cup of warm water. Set the water aside. You’ll see the yeast start to bubble after about 5 minutes.  

2. Step 2: Mix the Dough. Add the eggs, salt, oil, lemon emulsion, and sugar to your stand mixer. Mix together and then add the yeast mixture. Continue to mix the dough while alternately adding water and flour until the sides of the bowl are mostly clean.

3. Step 3: Let the Dough Rise. Cover the bowl with a dish towel and set the bowl aside, to let the dough rise for about 45 minutes. 

4. Step 4: Form the Dough: Sprinkle a light dusting of flour over a clean, hard surface. Gently push the risen dough down in the bowl and then separate it into two even pieces. 

5. Step 5: Add the Toppings. Roll one half of the dough into a large oval. Gently coat it with butter and sprinkle the filling mixture over the entire surface of the dough. 

6. Step 6: Roll the Dough. Roll the dough along the long side of the dough to form it into a long log. Use dental floss to cut the long rolls into 1-1½ pieces. Place the individual buns on the lined baking sheets. Be sure to leave about 1 ½ inches between each roll. 

7. Step 7: Let the Rolls Rise: Cover the rolls with a dish towel and set them aside to let the dough rise again. This takes approximately 30-35 minutes. 

8. Step 8: Bake the Rolls. Place the orange breakfast rolls in a preheated oven to bake for 20-25 minutes or until the rolls are slightly golden brown. 

9. Step 9: Mix the Frosting.  Cream together the cream cheese, orange juice, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl to make the orange icing for cinnamon rolls. Gradually add the powdered sugar with the mixer on low speed.

10. Step 10: Frost the Rolls. Now it’s time to frost the rolls! Be sure to frost them while they’re still warm so you get perfectly melted icing. 

Storage Directions 

• Storing: Place any leftover rolls in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator. They will last in the fridge for up to 4 days. Alternatively, you can freeze baked rolls for up to 2 months. 
• Reheating: Reheat cooked rolls in the microwave for about 20 seconds. They can also be reheated in an air fryer set to 300°F for 3 to 5 minutes. Thaw frozen rolls in the refrigerator overnight, then warm them in the microwave. 
• Make Ahead: Cover unbaked rolls with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 18 hours. Let them sit at room temperature for 1 hour before baking. Uncover them and bake in a 350°F oven for 20 to 25 minutes. 

Serving Suggestions

Bring freshly baked rolls to the office to share with your colleagues, or take them to a neighbor as a gesture of hospitality. Warm up a leftover roll and enjoy it with afternoon tea. Or, sneak into the kitchen and enjoy an orange roll as a midnight snack. (It will be our little secret.)

• Serve orange rolls as a part of a big Saturday breakfast along with hashbrown breakfast casserole, sausage egg muffins, and fresh fruit. 
• Make Sunday brunch with orange rolls, strawberry pecan salad, and sausage and gravy. 

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