Quick Orange Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

I decided to make these Orange Cinnamon Rolls because I needed a bright and sunny twist on the classic comfort food breakfast.

The combination of soft, fluffy yeast dough and that tangy cream cheese frosting creates a balance of flavors you will absolutely adore. It is the ideal recipe to bring a little sunshine to your brunch table regardless of the season outside.

Why You’ll Love This Orange Cinnamon Rolls

The texture of the dough is incredibly soft and pulls apart beautifully to reveal the sweet filling inside. You get a burst of fresh orange flavor in every single bite that cuts through the richness of the butter.

This recipe is surprisingly forgiving and works well even if you are new to working with yeast doughs. I love that you can prepare the rolls the night before so you just have to bake them in the morning.

The glaze is not just sweet, but packs a punch of zest that transforms the entire dish into something memorable. Your kitchen will smell like a bakery while these beauties puff up and turn golden in the oven.

If you enjoyed this fruity twist on baking, I highly recommend trying my Hearty Andes Mint Cookies Recipe for another satisfying treat. Fans of classic textures will also love the Cozy Butter Cookies Recipe which pairs perfectly with a hot cup of coffee.

Everything You Need for Perfect Orange Cinnamon Rolls

Here is the list of items you need to gather before baking:

• Flour: I use organic unbleached all-purpose flour for a sturdy yet soft structure.
• Active Dry Yeast: This provides the lift needed for those fluffy, airy rolls.
• Milk: Warm milk helps activate the yeast and adds richness to the dough.
• Sugar: Divided for use in the dough activation and the main mixture.
• Butter: You will need unsalted butter, softened or melted depending on the step.
• Orange Juice: Freshly squeezed is best for the dough and the frosting.
• Orange Zest: Provides the concentrated citrus aroma in the dough, filling, and glaze.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm background flavor to the sweet dough.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and strengthens the gluten network.
• Cinnamon: Essential for the classic spiced filling flavor.
• Eggs: Large eggs at room temperature help bind the dough.
• Cream Cheese: The base for the tangy, rich frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the glaze to a smooth consistency.

My Method for Orange Cinnamon Rolls

Let’s get the mixer ready and start baking!

1. Start by whisking the flour with the salt in a bowl (and spices like mahlepi or mastic if you are using them) to ensure they are evenly distributed. In a separate large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, whisk together the active dry yeast, one teaspoon of the sugar, and the warm milk. Cover this mixture with plastic wrap and let it sit for about 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes frothy and bubbly, which tells you the yeast is active and ready to work.
2. Once the yeast mixture is bubbly, whisk in the remaining sugar, eggs, orange juice, orange zest, vanilla extract, and melted butter until everything is well combined. Using the dough hook attachment on your mixer, gradually add the flour mixture about one-third at a time, mixing on low speed to avoid a flour cloud. Continue to knead the dough on low speed for 8 to 10 minutes until it becomes smooth, elastic, and pulls away cleanly from the sides of the bowl.
3. Shape the kneaded dough into a ball and place it into a clean, lightly greased bowl, turning it once to coat the entire surface with grease. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and place it in a warm, draft-free spot to proof. Allow the dough to rise for about one hour, or until it has doubled in size, which ensures your Orange Cinnamon Rolls will be light and fluffy.
4. Transfer the risen dough to a lightly floured surface and roll it out into a large rectangle, roughly 14×10 inches in size, though it does not need to be precise. Spread the softened butter generously over the entire surface of the dough, leaving just a small margin at the edges. Sprinkle the cinnamon, sugar, and orange zest mixture evenly over the butter layer, then roll the dough up tightly starting from one of the long sides and slice it into equal pieces.
5. Arrange the cut rolls in a lightly greased baking dish, such as a 10-inch round pan or a 9×9-inch square pan, leaving a little space between them. Cover the pan and let the rolls sit in a warm spot for another 45 minutes to an hour until they have doubled in size and filled the pan. While they rise, preheat your oven to 350°F so it is ready for baking.
6. Uncover the rolls and bake them in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes until they are puffy and just lightly golden brown on the edges. Be careful not to overbake them, as you want the centers to remain soft and tender. While they bake, beat the cream cheese and softened butter together until fluffy, then mix in the powdered sugar, orange zest, and enough orange juice to reach your desired spreading consistency.
7. Remove the rolls from the oven and immediately slather the cream cheese frosting generously over the hot rolls so it melts into the spirals. Garnish with a little extra fresh orange zest if you like for a pop of color. Serve the Orange Cinnamon Rolls warm for the absolute best texture and flavor experience.

Pro Tips for Orange Cinnamon Rolls

Ensure your milk is warm to the touch but not hot, or you risk killing the yeast before it starts working. I always test the liquid on the inside of my wrist to make sure the temperature is just right for activation.

Use room temperature butter for the filling instead of melted butter so it stays inside the Orange Cinnamon Rolls while baking. This prevents the sweet filling from leaking out to the bottom of the pan and burning during the cook time.

Do not rush the second rise after you have cut the rolls and placed them into your baking dish. Allowing them to fully double in size ensures that light and airy texture that makes this recipe a winner.

Best Ways to Enjoy Orange Cinnamon Rolls

I prefer serving these warm right from the pan so the icing is still slightly gooey and melting down the sides. They pair beautifully with a strong black coffee or a cold glass of milk to balance the sweetness.

You can also reheat leftovers for just a few seconds in the microwave to bring back that fresh-baked softness. These Orange Cinnamon Rolls make for a stunning centerpiece at holiday brunches or a special treat for family gatherings.

Make sure to pin this recipe to your breakfast board on Pinterest so you can find it easily whenever you need a sweet morning treat.

Orange Cinnamon Rolls

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• Author: Amelia Bryan
• Total Time: 3 hr 45 min
• Yield: 12 rolls
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Fluffy, citrus-infused sweet rolls filled with cinnamon and orange zest, topped with a tangy cream cheese glaze.

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Ingredients

• 2¾ cups Organic Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
• 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons sugar (divided for dough)
• ⅓ cup milk, warm (105-115°F)
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled (for dough)
• ¼ cup orange juice, room temperature
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons freshly grated orange zest (for dough)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon (for dough)
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (for filling)
• ½ cup sugar (for filling)
• 1½ teaspoons cinnamon (for filling)
• 2 teaspoons freshly grated orange zest (for filling)
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon orange zest (for frosting)
• 1–2 tablespoons orange juice (for frosting)

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Instructions

1. In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the warm milk, active dry yeast, and 1 teaspoon of the sugar. Cover and let stand for 5-10 minutes until bubbly.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the activated yeast mixture with the remaining sugar, eggs, orange juice, orange zest (for dough), vanilla, and melted butter. Whisk until smooth.
3. Add the flour, salt, and cinnamon (for dough) to the wet ingredients. Using a mixer with a dough hook, mix on low speed until combined, then knead for 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
5. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll into a 14×10 inch rectangle. Spread softened butter over the dough, then sprinkle evenly with the mixture of sugar, cinnamon, and orange zest (for filling).
6. Roll the dough up tightly from the long edge and cut into 10-12 even rolls. Place in a greased 9×9 inch or 10-inch round baking dish.
7. Cover the pan and let rise again for 45 minutes to 1 hour until the rolls are puffy and touching each other.
8. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls for 22-26 minutes until lightly golden brown. Do not overbake.
9. While baking, beat the cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add powdered sugar, zest, and orange juice, mixing until smooth.
10. Spread the frosting over the warm rolls immediately after removing them from the oven.

Notes

For a make-ahead option, refrigerate the rolls after shaping them. Let them come to room temperature and rise before baking the next morning.

• Prep Time: 25 min
• Rising Time: 2 hr 58 min
• Cook Time: 22 min
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 roll
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 18g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 42g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 45mg

Keywords: Orange Cinnamon Rolls, homemade breakfast, sweet rolls, citrus dessert, brunch recipe