Our family has been making orange rolls for years and years, and they’ve become a holiday and spring staple!
Over the years, we’ve changed them up, and more recently tested them several ways (with different doughs and different icings), until we found the most favorite of all. The winner is the recipe we are sharing today.
They are soft and sweet with an orange filling that has grated orange peel, which adds the perfect amount of freshness, zest and orange flavor! Our favorite part is the orange cream cheese frosting which adds even more citrus delicious-ness to these breakfast rolls.
If you love these homemade orange sweet rolls, be sure to check out our Easy Cinnamon Rolls and Nutella Cinnamon Rolls.
Why we think you’ll love it:
- Twist of flavor. We’ve taken classic Cinnamon Rolls and given them a twist of citrus!
- Prep the night before. The dough can be made the night before and then baked in the morning to save time!
- Holiday tradition. We make these EVERY Christmas Eve! We also love to gift a pan to friends and neighbors – they are always a hit!!
Orange Rolls Ingredients
Dough
- Active dry yeast (1 package): Kicks off the rise for soft, fluffy rolls. Approximately 2¼ teaspoons.
- Warm water (¼ cup): Activates the yeast so the dough lifts properly. Water should be between 105°F and 115°F to properly activate the yeast.
- Warm milk, 2% (1 cup): Adds richness and tender crumb.
- Shortening (¼ cup): Keeps the dough soft and helps it stay moist.
- Sugar (¼ cup): Feeds the yeast and lightly sweetens the dough.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and strengthens the dough.
- Egg, lightly beaten (1): Adds structure and a soft, rich bite.
- All purpose flour (3 ½–3 ¾ cups): Builds the dough body; add just until soft and slightly tacky.
Filling
- Sugar (1 cup): Sweet base for the citrusy swirl.
- Butter, softened (½ cup): Melts into the spiral for moist, gooey centers.
- Orange zest (2 tablespoons): Concentrated citrus oils that perfume the filling. See How to Zest if needed.
Frosting
- Cream cheese, softened (1, 8 ounce package): Creamy tang for a luscious frosting.
- Butter, softened (½ cup): Adds richness and smooth spreadability.
- Powdered’ sugar (2 cups): Sweetens and creates a fluffy, pipeable frosting.
- Orange juice (1 tablespoon): Brightens the frosting with true orange flavor.
- Milk (1–2 tablespoons, or as needed): Adjusts to your perfect spreading consistency.
- Grated orange zest (1 teaspoon): Finishes the frosting with fresh citrus aroma and specks.
How to Make Orange Rolls
STEP 1. DOUGH. Dissolve 1 package of yeast and ¼ cup warm water in a large bowl. Add 1 cup milk, ¼ cup shortening, ¼ cup sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 egg, and 3 cups of flour to the yeast mixture. Beat until smooth. Stir in the remaining ½-¾ cup flour, enough to form a soft dough.
STEP 2. KNEAD + RISE. On a lightly floured surface, knead dough for 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, turning to grease all sides. Cover dough and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size. Should take about 1 hour.
STEP 3. ROLL. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine 1 cup sugar, ½ cup softened butter, 2 tablespoons orange zest; set aside until ready to use.
STEP 4. Punch the dough down and use a rolling pin to roll it into a long rectangle.
STEP 5. Spread your filling and roll up, starting with a long end. Use a long serrated knife, sharp knife or unflavored unwaxed floss to cut into even pieces, about 12-14.
STEP 6. 2ND RISE. Place cut side down onto a greased 10×15-inch baking pan. Cover and let rise until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
STEP 7. BAKE. Preheat the oven to 375°F and bake rolls for 20-25 minutes. The rolls should be light golden brown.
Orange Cream Cheese Frosting
MIX. While the rolls are baking, make frosting in a medium bowl by creaming together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, orange juice, milk and orange zest and mix until smooth. Frost rolls while they are still slightly warm and sprinkle on orange zest. Serve warm.
- Double frost rolls if desired before sprinkling on orange zest.
- If the homemade orange rolls are too hot the glaze will melt right off.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Mix and knead until the dough is smooth and slightly tacky. A soft dough bakes the fluffiest rolls.
- Proof in a warm, draft free spot until doubled. If slow, set the covered bowl on a warm, turned off oven.
- Roll into a tight log and pinch the seam so the filling stays put. Use unflavored dental floss for clean cuts.
Orange Rolls Recipe
Video
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 package active dry yeast
- ¼ cup warm water
- 1 cup warm milk, 2%
- ¼ cup shortening
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 3 ½-3 ¾ cups all purpose flour
Filling
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
Frosting
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered’ sugar
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
- 1-2 tablespoons milk, or more as needed
- 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
Instructions
- Dissolve dry yeast and warm water in a large bowl. Add milk, shortening, sugar, salt, egg and 3 cups of flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in remaining flour, enough to form a soft dough.
- On a lightly floured surface, knead dough for 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, turning to grease all sides. Cover dough and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size (should take about 1 hour).
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine all filling ingredients; set aside until ready to use.
- Punch dough down and roll into long rectangle. Spread your filling and roll up, starting with a long end. Cut into even pieces, about 12-14.
- Place cut side down onto a greased 10×15 inch baking pan. Cover and let rise until doubled in size, about 45 minutes. Bake for 20-25 minutes at 375 degrees F. Always check during baking. Rolls should be light golden brown.
- While the rolls are baking, make frosting in a medium bowl by creaming together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, orange juice, milk and orange zest and mix until smooth.
- Frost rolls while they are still slightly warm and sprinkle on orange zest. Serve warm.
Notes
- The water needs to be between 105°F and 115°F to properly activate the yeast.
- Place the covered dough in a warm environment to help it rise faster.
- We use a serrated knife to cut the rolls. If you like the dental floss method be sure it’s plain and not mint-flavored.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
If the yeast is not properly activated or the room is too cold the dough will not rise.
If you aren’t paying attention, the dough can rise too high then it will cave in on itself. At this point, it is no longer usable.
Fridge. Follow the recipe and place the rolls on the baking sheet, but do not rise a second time. Instead, cover and refrigerate until the morning. Allow to finish rising (double in size), and then bake.
Freezer. Cover with plastic wrap and again with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, allow them to finish rising at room temperature, for about 90 minutes, and then bake.
Baked rolls can be kept, covered, at room temperature for 2-3 days, in the fridge for 3-4 days, or wrapped tightly and frozen for up to 3 months.
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This recipe was originally published December 2016.
Sooo good! Love the brightness from the citrus!!!
amazing recipe, I used lemon juice instead of extract and added a little extra and it turned out great. I would note however that if you cut the rolls too thick the filling comes out of the bottom when you cook them.
Thanks for sharing that!!
I’M so excited to try thEse for mother’s day. For the glaZe, is it 1 And 1/2 teaspoons or is there an extra 1 and it is only 1/2 teaspoon for the lemon juice?
It is 1 1/2 tsps. Sorry, about that. I added a space in there to make it easier to see 🙂 Hope you like them!
This was my first time making orange rolls. They turned out great and were so delicious! I did the alternative of using orange juice instead of lemon extract but other than that followed the recipe exactly. Thank you!
You are welcome!! Thanks for sharing what you did. I am so glad you liked them!
IF your looking for something Other than a cinnamon roll…this is your recipe to trY. Sweet and full of orange flavor.
I love orange rolls but have never made them myself. This is an easy and delicious recipe and one to make over and over again.
These Orange Rolls are an absolute favorite of mine. They are good any time of year! I like to make them as a special breakfast for family on the weekends.
My kids love these! The refreshing taste of orange & lemon in the glaze, is a great way to start the day!
My family loves these for breakfast! The orange flavor is so refreshing & the icing is so smooth & yummy!
Is this gluten free?
I am not 100% familiar with all things that contain gluten, but there isn’t wheat, though I am not sure about the yeast.