Sunday, December 21, 2025
HomeHealthy FoodThe Fluffiest Orange Cinnamon Rolls (with orange frosting!)

The Fluffiest Orange Cinnamon Rolls (with orange frosting!)


OMG. Orange lovers and cinnamon roll lovers rejoice: I made you a recipe that may have you ever operating to your stand mixer sooner than you possibly can say “glad holidays!”

These deliciously fluffy orange cinnamon rolls are the model new cinnamon roll taste you didn’t know you wanted. They’re impressed by the obsession I used to have with with the Pillsbury orange cinnamon rolls from the can however clearly these are solely a hundreds of thousands instances higher. We’re infusing my well-known cinnamon roll recipe with recent orange juice and zest, and topping these stunning orange candy rolls with a simple, completely addicting orange cream cheese frosting. BEST FLUFFY ORANGE CINNAMON ROLLS EVER!

I do know SO lots of you make my cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning, so let me know should you give these new rolls a do this yr!

orange cinnamon rolls in a pan and on a plate

Every part you’ll must make fluffy orange cinnamon rolls

Flour, yeast, butter, cinnamon — these orange rolls have all the fundamentals of conventional cinnamon rolls, however with an attractive infusion of recent orange juice and zest. Right here’s what you’ll must make them:

  • Orange juice and zest: we’re infusing the granulated sugar with recent orange zest to essentially carry out that citrus-y taste, after which we’re mixing recent orange juice proper into the dough. You’ll additionally add orange zest to the filling!
  • Granulated sugar: as I discussed, you’ll really rub orange zest with the sugar to sweeten the rolls and to assist activate the yeast.
  • Milk: I like to recommend entire milk on this recipe. See beneath for dairy-free choices!
  • Fast rise yeast: I used fast rise or on the spot yeast on this recipe to assist the cinnamon rolls rise sooner. You may as well use energetic dry yeast, however the cinnamon rolls could take barely longer to rise. Scroll all the way down to get suggestions for utilizing yeast on this recipe!
  • Egg + egg yolk: like most of my cinnamon roll recipes, these orange rolls name for 1 egg and 1 egg yolk for the proper texture and wealthy consistency within the dough.
  • Butter: I desire to make use of salted butter, however unsalted works, too. You’ll want it for the dough, filling, and frosting.
  • Bread flour: belief me after I say that utilizing bread flour actually retains these orange rolls gentle and fluffy! Bread flour has a better protein stage, which helps produce extra gluten and offers the rolls their chewy, gentle texture.
  • Brown sugar: I really like utilizing darkish brown sugar for a extra sturdy molasses taste within the filling, however mild brown sugar will work!
  • Cinnamon: regardless that these are orange rolls, we’re nonetheless including floor cinnamon to the filling (and the combo is unimaginable).
  • Salt: somewhat salt actually helps carry out the flavour within the dough and controls the yeast, so don’t skip it.
  • For the orange frosting: I couldn’t get sufficient of the fluffy orange cream cheese frosting. It’s made with cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, extra recent orange juice, and orange zest.

adding filling to rolled-out orange cinnamon roll dough

Can I make them dairy-free, gluten-free, or vegan?

  • To make dairy-free: use dairy-free milk within the dough, and vegan/dairy-free butter and cream cheese within the frosting.
  • I can not suggest a gluten-free swap on this orange cinnamon roll recipe, nor do I’ve a swap for the eggs to make them vegan. Be happy to strive my Vegan Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls as an alternative!

Searching for a buttercream frosting?

In the event you’re not a fan of cream cheese frosting, be happy to frost your rolls with the orange buttercream from this recipe as an alternative!

orange cinnamon roll dough sliced into rolls

A observe on two varieties of yeast

Earlier than getting began, ensure you know which kind of yeast you could have to be able to correctly activate it for baking. That is what helps give the orange rolls their fluffy texture! With both kind of yeast, it’s important to make use of milk warmed to 115 to 120 levels F to assist it activate.

  • Lively dry yeast: this kind of yeast should be dissolved in liquid, or additionally what’s generally known as being “proofed” earlier than it’s added to the remainder of the dough components. You’ll know any such yeast is activated when little bubbles begin to seem within the liquid that you just dissolve the yeast in (for this recipe, it’s heat milk).
  • Immediate yeast: often known as fast rise yeast (that is the model I take advantage of and love!), and what we’re utilizing for this orange cinnamon roll recipe. It may be added to the dough with none ‘proofing’ required, so that you don’t want to take a seat and watch the yeast to ensure it bubbles. Nevertheless, you’ll nonetheless wish to dissolve it in somewhat little bit of milk and sugar to assist get it began.

Can I make them the evening earlier than?

Sure! It’s such a good way to save lots of time. Right here’s tips on how to do it:

  1. After the primary rise, roll the orange cinnamon rolls up, reduce them as directed, and organize them in a baking pan lined with parchment paper.
  2. Cowl the pan properly with plastic wrap and a towel, then place them within the fridge in a single day or as much as 18 hours whole.
  3. When you’re able to bake, carry the orange rolls to room temperature (maintain them lined in order that they don’t dry out) and allow them to rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
  4. Bake as directed, then frost & devour!

unbaked orange rolls in a square pan

Orange cinnamon roll FAQs

Listed below are solutions to frequent questions I get about making all varieties of cinnamon roll flavors:

  1. Can I take advantage of all-purpose flour? The brief reply is sure, the recipe will nonetheless work with all-purpose flour. Nevertheless, I HIGHLY suggest sticking with bread flour as a result of it makes these rolls additional fluffy since there’s a greater protein rely.
  2. Why did the middles come out of my rolls? This could occur should you roll them a bit too tightly or in case your pan is just too small. Be sure you reduce off about 1/2 inch on every finish of the dough log and discard in order that the rolls all slot in your pan. If you wish to bake the ends, use a bigger pan.
  3. Can I double the recipe? Yep! Simply keep in mind to make use of a bigger pan.
  4. What can I do if my dough is just too sticky to knead? Merely add somewhat extra flour, a few tablespoon at a time, till it’s simpler to work with. BUT it is necessary you weigh your dough as a result of this dough is mostly somewhat extra sticky.
  5. Can I take advantage of a bread maker? I haven’t examined this recipe utilizing a bread maker, however some readers have made my authentic cinnamon roll recipe efficiently utilizing one.
  6. Can I add nuts? Sure! I believe finely chopped walnuts or pecans could be scrumptious sprinkled into the filling and/or on high of the baked, iced rolls.

frosting orange cinnamon rolls with orange frosting

Instruments you’ll want

  • Kitchen scale. I extremely suggest weighing your components with a kitchen scale to make sure that these rolls prove completely each time. That is how I take a look at my recipes to make sure accuracy.
  • Zester & juicer: don’t overlook an easy-to-use citrus zester and citrus juicer to get all of that recent orange into your rolls!
  • Stand mixer. You’ll wish to use the dough hook in your stand mixer to simply knead the dough earlier than rolling it out. In the event you don’t have a stand mixer, you may as well knead the dough by hand.
  • Wood spoon. I like to recommend mixing your dough along with a picket spoon.
  • Rolling pin. For rolling out that lovely dough. Professional tip: should you don’t have a rolling pin, you may as well flour up a wine bottle!
  • Serrated knife. Utilizing a serrated knife will enable you to reduce the cinnamon rolls out after you roll the dough up. You may as well use unflavored dental floss.
  • 9×9-inch pan. I like to recommend utilizing a 9×9 inch baking pan or a 9-inch round pan in order that the cinnamon rolls match properly and bake correctly.

orange sweet rolls on two plates

Storing suggestions

Cowl the cooled orange candy rolls with plastic wrap and foil, or place particular person rolls in hermetic glass containers or silicone luggage and retailer within the fridge for as much as 5 days. Reheat rolls individually within the microwave in 15-second intervals till heat.

The way to freeze orange cinnamon rolls

  • To freeze earlier than baking: the dough ought to be frozen after the primary rise (when you’ve unfold the filling, rolled the dough up, and sliced it into rolls). Place the rolls right into a pan and canopy properly with parchment paper, plastic wrap, foil and an hermetic cowl, then place them within the freezer. Whenever you’re able to bake, let the dough thaw within the fridge — ideally in a single day — then put it in a heat spot for 45 minutes to 1 hour earlier than baking to activate the second rise. Bake the orange rolls as directed.
  • To freeze after baking: permit the orange rolls to return to room temperature after baking, then you possibly can select to both freeze your complete pan, ensuring they’re properly wrapped or lined in an hermetic container, or you possibly can select to freeze particular person rolls. When able to eat, defrost the rolls at room temperature, then heat them within the oven at 350 levels F for 10-Quarter-hour, or you possibly can heat them up individually within the microwave for 20-30 seconds (as soon as defrosted). I desire to freeze them earlier than they’re iced, after which frost them when able to eat. The icing can be freezer-friendly.

orange cinnamon roll on a plate

Extra brunch treats you’ll love

Get all of my breakfast & brunch recipes right here!

I hope you’re keen on these fluffy orange cinnamon rolls! In the event you make them, remember to go away a remark and a ranking so I understand how you favored them. Take pleasure in, xo!

cover of the ambitious kitchen cookbook

The
Bold Kitchen
Cookbook

125 Ridiculously Good For You, Typically Indulgent, and Completely By no means Boring Recipes for Each Meal of the Day

orange cinnamon roll on a plate

Prep Time 2 hours

Cook dinner Time 20 minutes

Whole Time 2 hours 20 minutes

Serves9 servings

Stunning, fluffy orange cinnamon rolls made with recent orange juice and orange zest for the brunch deal with of your desires. This brilliant, distinctive tackle conventional cinnamon rolls is ideal for the vacations and such a enjoyable approach to make use of up winter citrus! Prime with a luscious orange cream cheese frosting for the final word deal with.

Elements

  • Moist components
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest (from 1 to 2 giant oranges)
  • ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (120g) heat milk (entire milk most well-liked)
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons fast rise or energetic yeast (from 1 (1/4-ounce) bundle yeast)*
  • ¼ cup (50 grams) freshly squeezed orange juice (from 1 giant orange)
  • 1 giant egg plus 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
  • 4 tablespoons salted butter, melted
  • Dry components
  • 3 ¼ cups (390g) bread flour, plus extra for dusting
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • Filling
  • 4 tablespoons (57 grams) salted butter, softened
  • cup (142 grams) packed darkish brown sugar
  • 1 ½ tablespoons floor cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • Orange Cream Cheese Frosting
  • 4 oz (112 grams) cream cheese, softened
  • ¾ cup (85 grams) powdered sugar
  • 3 tablespoons salted butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons recent orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest

Directions

  • Combine the moist components: Within the bowl of an electrical mixer, or if making by hand, a big bowl, add the orange zest and sugar. Use clear palms to rub the zest into the sugar for roughly 30 seconds to launch and infuse orange taste into the sugar.

  • In a small microwave-safe bowl or glass measuring cup, heat the milk by microwaving it for 1 minute, till it registers 120°F on a thermometer and appears like very heat bathtub water (however it shouldn’t be too sizzling!). Add the warmed milk into the bowl with the sugar and sprinkle the yeast on high. Wait 2 minutes to activate the yeast; you’ll know it’s activated when it begins to bubble and foam on high, then add within the recent orange juice, egg, egg yolk and melted butter. Combine on medium pace till properly mixed, 30 seconds. (Alternatively, combine with a picket spoon till properly mixed.)

  • Add the dry components: Take away the bowl from the mixer and use a picket spoon to stir within the flour and salt till a dough begins to kind (it will stop flour from flying all over the place!).

  • Knead the dough: Place the dough hook on the stand mixer and return the bowl to the mixer. Knead the dough on medium pace, 8 to 10 minutes. (Alternatively, you need to use your palms to knead the dough for 8 to 10 minutes on a well-floured floor.) Please know that that is speculated to be a sticky dough, but when measured correctly they’ll bake up superbly!

  • Frivolously grease a big bowl with olive oil. Switch the dough ball to the bowl, then cowl with plastic wrap and a heat towel. Enable the dough to rise till doubled in measurement, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. (This can be kind of time relying on the time of yr, the humidity, and the temperature in your house.) You’ll know the dough has risen sufficient once you poke your finger into the dough about an inch with out the indentation bouncing again instantly.

  • Generously mud a clear floor with flour. Switch the risen dough to the floor and use a rolling pin to roll the dough out right into a 10×14-inch rectangle.

  • Put together the filling: Unfold the softened butter over the dough, leaving a ¼-inch margin on the far shorter aspect of the rectangle. In a small bowl, combine collectively the brown sugar, cinnamon and orange zest. Use your palms to sprinkle the combination over the butter, then gently rub the brown sugar combination into the butter leaving a 1/4th inch margin on the far brief aspect of the dough.

  • Roll up the dough: Ranging from the brief aspect (the 10-inch aspect) with out the margin, very tightly roll up the dough. Seal the far fringe of the dough as greatest you possibly can by pinching the dough collectively simply barely, then be sure that the dough log is seam-side down. Lower a ½ inch off every finish of the dough, because the ends gained’t have sufficient filling; be happy to discard (or bake individually as yummy extras). Use your palms to present the dough log a mild push inwards on each ends in order that it compacts barely, as it might have stretched out a bit throughout the rolling course of.

  • Lower the rolls: Utilizing unflavored dental floss or a serrated knife, reduce the dough into 9 1-inch slices.

  • Line a sq. 9-inch pan with parchment paper. Place the rolls within the ready baking pan. Cowl with plastic wrap and a towel and let rise once more till the rolls have overvalued, are doubled in measurement, and contact one another within the pan, about half-hour to 1 hour.

  • Preheat the oven: In the meantime, preheat the oven to 350°F.

  • As soon as the rolls have risen, take away the plastic wrap and towel and bake till simply golden brown on the perimeters, about 20 to 25 minutes. Not overbaking the rolls ensures that they’ll keep gentle within the center.

  • Make the frosting: Whereas the rolls bake, put together the orange cream cheese frosting: Within the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, mix the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, orange juice and zest. Beat on low pace to begin, then enhance to medium-high pace and blend till clean and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. (Alternatively, whisk the frosting by hand.) Instantly unfold the frosting over the rolls so the frosting will get into each little nook and cranny of the roll after which serve. ENJOY whereas they’re heat and gooey!

  • To retailer: Cowl the cooled cinnamon rolls with plastic wrap and foil or place particular person cinnamon rolls in hermetic glass containers or silicone luggage and retailer within the fridge for as much as 5 days. Reheat rolls individually within the microwave in 15 second intervals till heat. For freezing directions, see the weblog submit.

Recipe Notes

To make dairy-free: Use a dairy-free milk of alternative (I counsel unsweetened almond milk), vegan butter, and dairy-free cream cheese.
To make in a single day: After slicing and putting rolls into the greased pan, merely cowl and place them within the fridge in a single day. Within the morning, let the rolls rise at room temperature for 45-60 minutes, then bake as directed.
Verify the weblog submit for directions on tips on how to freeze cinnamon rolls, plus further suggestions, tips, and FAQs!

Recipe by: Monique Volz // Bold Kitchen | Images by Eat Love Eats

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