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    Home » Recipes » Baking

    Modified: Feb 17, 2024 · Published: Jul 5, 2020 by Melinda O'Malley Keckler · This post may contain affiliate links · this blog generates income from ads.

    Orange Rolls

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    There's nothing better than freshly-baked sweet rolls and homemade Orange Rolls are especially delicious. The perfect combination of orange, fresh ginger, cinnamon and brown sugar. If you are looking for the best homemade cinnamon roll with orange icing, this is the recipe for you.

    Orange is a perfect ingredient in both sweet and savory recipes. I think you'll also enjoy Orange-Spiced Sweet Potato Casserole and try Easy-Baked Orange Tofu for a plant-based main meal.

    Orange rolls with icing on parchment paper on a baking sheet.
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients to Have on Hand
    • Why You'll Love Orange Rolls
    • How to Make Orange Sweet Rolls
    • What to Serve with Orange Rolls
    • Recipe FAQs
    • How to Prep Orange Rolls for the Freezer
    • Auntie's Favorite
    • The Inspiration
    • More Baking Recipes
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    Ingredients to Have on Hand

    • orange juice
    • an orange and a lemon
    • fresh ginger
    • butter
    • cinnamon
    • sugar
    • flour

    Fresh ginger might seem like a surprising ingredient for Orange Rolls, but it adds a warm, slightly peppery taste with hints of citrus to the rolls. It's a game-changer!

    Scroll to the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

    Why You'll Love Orange Rolls

    Homemade Orange Rolls are made with both orange juice and orange zest in the dough, and the freshly made frosting has a bright and citrusy flavor that simply goes great with this homemade cinnamon roll.

    Just like Banana and Carrot Muffins, Crockpot Banana Bread and Blueberry Rhubarb Muffins, Orange Rolls are sweet, but not too sweet. And the aroma from the freshly baked rolls is enticing!

    The sweet and tangy icing on the cinnamon rolls creates an irresistible combination of sweet and citrusy flavors.

    This recipe is incredibly versatile and similar to my Old Fashioned Chocolate Pound Cake, it has been baked an enjoyed for years. Truly a family-favorite recipe! You can enjoy them fresh from the oven, but there's also a freezer option, which gives you the flexibility to enjoy homemade cinnamon rolls with orange icing any time. Even on a busy holiday morning!

    How to Make Orange Sweet Rolls

    Sweet roll dough all rolled out.
    Roll out the dough into an even rectangle, which helps ensure each roll is sliced to the same size.

    Step 1: After making the dough and having it doubled in size, turn it onto a lightly floured surface and roll it into an 18"x 8" rectangle. I highly recommend using a silicone pastry mat. It helps gauge the size of each roll.

    Cinnamon filling spread out over sweet roll dough.
    Leave about an inch or two of dough without the filling, this will help keep the filling from running out once you roll this up.

    Step 2: Spread melted butter on top, followed by the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg mixture.

    Rolled sweet roll dough.
    Roll the dough into one long roll.

    Step 3: Starting with a long side of the dough, roll it up tightly. 

    Sweet roll dough being sliced

    Step 4: Slice the dough into 1" sections

    Pro Tip: Use plain dental floss to slice the dough into rolls. It works better than even the sharpest knife. I keep a container of dental floss in one of my kitchen drawers just for this purpose.

    Sliced raw cinnamon roll dough.
    Look at the perfect sweet roll, ready to rise.

    Step 5: Place the sliced rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or in greased muffin cups and let them rise one more hour until doubled in size. Then bake.

    What to Serve with Orange Rolls

    I'm a big fan of the classic, beloved combination of cinnamon rolls with chili! Full disclosure, this is a somewhat nostalgic menu from my school lunch days growing up in Sunnyside, Washington.

    But as it turns out, chili and cinnamon rolls are a combination enjoyed in many other regions of the country as well.

    And when it's cinnamon rolls with orange icing somehow the combination of chili with cinnamon rolls seems even better. Serve your orange rolls with my classic, stovetop Idaho Chili Recipe or for a slightly different spin, enjoy the sweet rolls with Pinto Bean Chili. This is a family favorite flavor combination that can't be beat.

    Recipe FAQs

    How important is it to use a pastry mat?

    You absolutely can roll the dough on a cutting board or a kitchen counter dusted with flour. However, I've found that using a pastry mat is helpful because you can see the size of each section of dough as you slice it. I bought my pastry mat a few years ago, but this one looks very similar.

    Can I leave the ginger out of the recipe?

    Yes, for sure. The fresh ginger adds a delightful, fresh flavor to these orange sweet rolls, but if you don't have it on hand or if your family isn't a fan of ginger, by all means, simply leave it out. The orange rolls will still turn out great.

    How to Prep Orange Rolls for the Freezer

    I've included an option for freezing the dough so you can enjoy fresh-from-the-oven orange rolls with breakfast any morning.

    Here's how to prepare Orange Rolls for the freezer, so you can enjoy fresh baked sweet rolls any time.

    Step 1: After rolling and slicing the dough, place the rolls in muffin cups and then in the freezer until frozen solid. Remove the rolls from the muffin cups and place the frozen rolls in a zip-top freezer bag. Date and freeze.

    Pro Tip: Prepare the icing for the orange rolls according to the recipe, then place the icing in a freezer-safe, airtight container and freeze. Defrost the icing in the refrigerator overnight while the rolls defrost on the counter at room temperature until morning.

    Step 2: On the night before you plan to enjoy freshly baked rolls in the morning, remove the frozen rolls from the freezer and place them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

    Step 3: The orange sweet rolls will defrost overnight on your kitchen counter. In the morning, bake as usual, then frost with icing and enjoy fresh sweet rolls with your morning coffee or tea. 

    Sweet rolls in the pan, after rising.

    Auntie's Favorite

    Cinnamon rolls made from scratch have been a baking tradition for generations in my family. Hat tip to my Auntie Iva and Auntie Faye who both made the most delicious homemade rolls when I was growing up.

    Orange rolls with icing on parchment paper on a baking sheet.

    Orange Rolls is now my go-to recipe any time I want fresh sweet rolls. The icing for these rolls is what sets them apart.

    Pro Tip: Be sure to use freshly squeezed orange juice in the icing for the Orange Rolls, it does make a big difference.

    The Inspiration

    This recipe was inspired by a bread recipe I found in a little cookbook my Auntie Maureen sent me. I'm so tickled with how it turned out, I adapted it to make orange cinnamon rolls.

    More Baking Recipes

    If you are in a baking mood, but sure to try these recipes as well!

    • A serving of tiramisu cake on a plate with a fork.
      Tiramisu Cake for Dessert
    • A frosted cookie on a spatula with more cookies on a plate.
      Old Fashioned Sour Cream Cookies
    • A slice of vanilla cheesecake on a plate with a fork and a lemon in the background.
      Baked Vanilla Cheesecake
    • A slice of pumpkin pie on a plate with a fork.
      Pumpkin Pie with Sweetened Condensed Milk

    If you tried Homemade Orange Rolls or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments below.

    Recipe

    Orange rolls with icing on parchment paper on a baking sheet.

    Orange Rolls

    There's nothing better than freshly baked sweet rolls and these are fresh and bright - the perfect combination of orange, fresh ginger and brown sugar. These rolls are a light and not-too-sweet made-from-scratch treat that everyone loves. For another incredible sweet treat, try my Baked Vanilla Cheesecake.
    5 from 90 votes
    Print Rate Pin Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time: 1 hour hour
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Rising Time: 1 hour hour
    Total Time: 2 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 9 people
    Calories: 316kcal
    Author: Melinda O'Malley Keckler

    Ingredients 

    Dough

    • ⅓ cup orange juice
    • ⅔ cup milk
    • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast - or one ¼ ounce envelope
    • 3 tablespoons butter - softened
    • ½ teaspoon fresh ginger - grated
    • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
    • 2 tablespoons orange zest - about 2 oranges
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 3 tablespoons sugar
    • 3 cups flour

    Filling

    • 2 teaspoons butter - melted
    • ⅓ cup brown sugar - packed
    • ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
    • ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg

    Glaze

    • 1 cup powdered sugar
    • 1 teaspoon softened butter
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla
    • 1 tablespoon orange juice - freshly squeezed
    • pinch of salt

    Instructions

    • Heat orange juice and milk to 120° and combine with yeast, allow to sit for a few minutes before adding the remaining sweet roll ingredients in a stand mixer (or large bowl with a sturdy spoon for stirring).
      Using the bread hook, stir until combined and the dough is smooth and elastic. (If using a bowl and spoon, you'll want to knead the dough for a few minutes on a floured surface.)
      Place dough in a greased bowl and turn to grease top. Cover and let rise for about an hour.
      While the dough rises, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg and set aside. In another small bowl, whisk the glaze ingredients and set aside.
      After the dough has doubled in size, turn onto a lightly floured surface and roll into a 18"x 8" rectangle. I highly recommend using a silicone pastry mat. It helps gauge the size of the dough when you roll it out and how large each roll is when you are dividing them.
      Spread melted butter on top, followed by the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg mixture.
      Starting with a long side, roll up tightly. Slice the dough into 1" sections and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or in greased muffin cups.
      Allow to rise for about an hour.
      Bake in preheated 375° F oven for about 9-11 minutes. Place rolls on a cooling rack and allow to cool for a few minutes, but drizzle with icing while still warm.

    Notes

    For fresh baked sweet rolls any time, after rolling and slicing, place the rolls in muffin cups, then place in the freezer until frozen solid. Remove the rolls from the muffin cups and place the frozen rolls in a zip-top freezer bag. On the night before you plan to enjoy freshly baked rolls in the morning, remove the rolls from the freezer and place them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
    The sweet rolls will defrost overnight on your kitchen counter. In the morning, bake as usual and enjoy fresh sweet rolls with your morning coffee or tea.
    For another delicious breakfast idea, enjoy scratch-made Carrot and Banana Muffins or Blueberry Rhubarb Muffins. 
    Calories: 316kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 5gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 270mgPotassium: 118mgFiber: 2gSugar: 27gVitamin A: 216IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 41mgIron: 2mg

    Please note, the nutrition details are estimated using a food database, so they’re just a rough estimate not an exact science.

    Did you try this recipe? Leave a comment below or @crinkledcookbook on Instagram, snap a photo and tag it #crinkledcookbook

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    Comments

      5 from 90 votes (86 ratings without comment)

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    1. Carolyn says

      January 10, 2025 at 8:50 pm

      Do you think I can make the dough in a bread machine?

      Reply
      • Melinda O'Malley Keckler says

        January 11, 2025 at 8:43 am

        Hi Carolyn, I've not tried that method to make the dough before, so can't say for sure. Admittedly, it would be a nice shortcut but I recommend making the cinnamon roll dough according to the recipe. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Meenakshi Thakur says

      June 14, 2021 at 11:54 am

      5 stars
      Orange and ginger! already sounds delicious. Going to give it a try this weekend, thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
    3. Kalin says

      June 13, 2021 at 6:54 pm

      Orange cinnamon rolls are the bestttt! I've made plain cinnamon rolls before but will have to try this orange addition

      Reply
    4. Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady says

      June 13, 2021 at 3:27 pm

      5 stars
      Oh man I bet these smell intoxicating! I love citrus flavoured pastries!!

      Reply
    5. Jeannie says

      June 12, 2021 at 2:11 pm

      5 stars
      I love the idea of adding some ginger with bake goods this looks easy to do. I will give it a try.

      Reply
    6. Emily Flint says

      June 12, 2021 at 11:19 am

      5 stars
      These orange sweet rolls look and sound so amazing, this is just what I was looking for to make for my guy for Father's Day! He loves anything with orange in it so this will be a winner for sure. Thank you!

      Reply

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