Soft Orange Rolls Delight (Printable version)

Fluffy citrus rolls layered with sweet orange filling and topped with creamy orange-infused frosting.

# What you need:

→ Dough

01 - 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - Zest of 1 large orange
06 - 1/2 cup whole milk, warmed
07 - 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
08 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
09 - 2 large eggs, room temperature

→ Orange Filling

10 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
11 - 2 tablespoons orange zest
12 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

→ Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

13 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
14 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
15 - 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
16 - 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
17 - 1 teaspoon orange zest
18 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
19 - Pinch of salt

# Steps to follow:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk, orange juice, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
02 - Add melted butter, orange zest, eggs, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix well until combined.
03 - Gradually add flour, mixing until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. Knead by hand or with a dough hook for 8 to 10 minutes, adding additional flour as needed, until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
04 - Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with a cloth. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, approximately 1 hour.
05 - Mix sugar and orange zest together in a small bowl to release the oils. Set aside.
06 - Punch down the dough and roll out on a lightly floured surface to a 16 by 10 inch rectangle.
07 - Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough. Sprinkle the orange sugar mixture evenly across the buttered surface.
08 - Starting from the long side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Cut into 12 equal rolls using a sharp knife or dental floss.
09 - Arrange rolls in a greased 9 by 13 inch baking dish. Cover and let rise until puffy, approximately 30 to 40 minutes.
10 - Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake rolls for 22 to 25 minutes, until golden brown.
11 - While rolls bake, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, orange juice, zest, vanilla, and salt. Beat until creamy and well combined.
12 - Let the rolls cool for 10 minutes, then spread frosting generously over warm rolls.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • The orange cream cheese frosting strikes that perfect balance between tangy and sweet, making you want to lick the spatula without guilt.
  • These rolls actually taste better the morning after, when the flavors have had time to settle and mingle in a way that feels intentional.
  • You can prep them the night before, which means you get to sleep in and still serve something that feels impressive.
02 -
  • Don't skip the 10-minute cooling period before frosting, but don't wait much longer either—the rolls need to still be warm enough for the frosting to soften into them slightly.
  • If your kitchen is cold, your dough will take longer to rise, and that's actually fine; slow rises often develop more flavor, so be patient rather than trying to rush it with excessive heat.
03 -
  • Use dental floss or a very sharp knife to cut your rolls instead of sawing—it prevents compression and keeps them puffy.
  • If your cream cheese frosting is too thick, a teaspoon of milk will loosen it; if it's too thin, a bit more powdered sugar will firm it up.
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