Orange Cinnamon Rolls

These sweet orange cinnamon rolls are the most delicious addition to your breakfast with their soft and fluffy texture and jammy orange marmalade topping. Similar to a traditional cinnamon roll but with the refreshing sweetness from fresh orange.

Most people see Cinnabon and start salivating. I see it and have memories of one of the most embarrassing moments in my life. My mom and I were on our way down to visit Villanova on one of many college campus trips. On the way, we stopped at a rest stop where the 17 year old version of me who didn’t think about things like calories decided to get a cinnamon roll from Cinnabon.

About an hour after that decision we arrived at the admissions office only for me to sprint to the bathroom with the worst stomachache of my life and spend the next two hours holed up in excruciating pain in a public stall while I missed our scheduled tour.

I eventually recovered enough to make it on the last tour of the day, but even if I had loved that campus with all my being, there is no way you could’ve paid me to attend after that episode.

Thankfully, unlike a bad drinking experience where you swear of a certain alcohol for years, I still love cinnamon rolls and these orange cinnamon rolls are a wonderful variation that have become an absolute favorite.

Most recipes I share have a healthier twist to them by using alternative ingredients or some other tweak. Here’s my disclaimer for this orange sweet roll recipe, there is nothing ‘healthier’ about it. If you want a soft, fluffy yeasted cinnamon roll that tastes like pure bliss, this is the recipe for you. I’ve tried to make healthier versions of cinnamon rolls before — like these cranberry cherry cinnamon rolls — and while they still taste good, they’re just nothing like the real deal.

So if you’re craving a bakery style, ooey-gooey pull-apart cinnamon roll like a can of Pillsbury rolls from your childhood, read on and make this recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Orange Roll Recipe

• Delicious Orange Flavors: The refreshing citrus from the orange marmalade and zest adds a unique twist. These rolls are traditional while having a special little something that sets them apart from other recipes.
• Perfect Balance of Sweetness: The combination of brown sugar and orange juice provides a sweet yet tangy flavor. The rolls aren’t overwhelmingly sugary but they’re definitely a sweet.
• Soft and Gooey Texture: The dough, enriched with butter and milk, bakes into perfectly soft and gooey rolls that melt in your mouth with every bite.
• Easy to Customize: This basic recipe offers great potential for customization. You could use another type of citrus or add spices to vary it up.
• Crowd-Pleaser: The vibrant citrus flavor and the appealing presentation make these orange cinnamon rolls an impressive treat for breakfast or brunch. They’re great for a potluck or after church event.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Whole Milk: Provides a rich and creamy base for the dough and helps with that soft, gooey texture we love in sweet rolls.
• Oil: Adds moisture and keeps the dough soft without adding any strong flavors.
• Active Dry Yeast: Essential for making the dough rise, giving the rolls their fluffy texture. Make sure your yeast is fresh for the best results.
• All-Purpose Flour: The main structure of the dough. All-purpose flour works perfectly to create a tender and light roll. You could also use half white whole wheat flour for a slightly more wholesome treat.
• Baking Powder and Baking Soda: Help the dough rise and give it a light, airy texture. These leavening agents are a must to make sure the rolls bake up perfectly every time.
• Salt: Just a pinch enhances the flavors of the other ingredients, balancing the sweetness and bringing out the citrus notes.
• Melted Butter: Used in both the filling and the icing. Unsalted butter is preferred to control the salt content.
• Orange Marmalade: The key ingredient that infuses the filling with the signature orange flavors and a burst of citrus tanginess.
• Brown Sugar: Adds a rich, caramel-like sweetness to the filling. Its molasses content complements the orange zest beautifully.
• Orange Zest and Orange Juice: These ingredients provide the refreshing citrus flavor in the icing, cutting through the sweetness and adding a zesty punch. Use fresh squeeze orange juice, not from a carton.
• Powdered Sugar: Used in the icing to add sweetness and create a smooth, pourable consistency that coats each roll and seeps into each crevice.

How To Make The Rolls

If you’ve ever made cinnamon rolls from scratch before you probably know it can be a bit time consuming. Some recipes even require an overnight rise. So as far as cinnamon roll recipes go, this one is pretty quick and straight-forward.

Make the Dough

• Prepare the Yeast Mixture: In a large sauce pan you’ll combine and warm the milk, sugar and oil together until the sugar dissolves. Remove the pot from the heat, then sprinkle the yeast over the top and let it sit.
• Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the most of the flour with the yeast mixture. Stir until incorporated, then cover and let it rise until doubled in size.
• Knead and Roll Out: Add the remaining flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt to the dough. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. Roll the dough into a large rectangle.

Assemble the Filling

• Spread the Filling: Drizzle melted butter over the rolled-out dough. Spread orange marmalade evenly over the butter.
• Add the Sweetness: Sprinkle brown sugar over the marmalade, then sprinkle a dash of salt on top.
• Roll and Slice: Roll the dough tightly into a log and pinch the seams to seal. Slice the log into individual rolls.

Bake the Rolls

• Prepare the Baking Dish: Butter a baking dish and place the rolls inside. Let them rise again until they puff up.
• Bake: Preheat the oven and bake the rolls until they turn golden brown.

Top with Icing

• Mix the Icing: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, orange zest, orange juice, vanilla extract, melted butter and a bit of milk to reach a smooth consistency.
• Finish: Pour the icing over the warm rolls, letting it seep into all the nooks and crannies. Serve the rolls immediately and enjoy!

A full breakdown of the orange sweet roll recipe can be found below.

Variations

• For a lighter icing option — make a sweet orange glaze by combining powdered sugar, orange juice, and a bit of vanilla extract. Drizzle this over the warm rolls for a fresh and simple finish.
• Add finely chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling. The nuts offer a nice extra crunch and pair well with the brown sugar and orange marmalade.
• Replace the standard icing with a tangy cream cheese frosting. Simply mix room temperature cream cheese with powdered sugar, orange zest, and a splash of orange juice for a rich and creamy topping. If you love a traditional cinnamon roll, you’ll like this variation.
• Sprinkle a bit of ground cardamom or nutmeg over the filling before rolling up the dough. These spices complement the citrus flavors beautifully.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Orangey Baked Goods To Try

These orange muffins are like a burst of sunshine with each bite. Their orange glaze is similar to the icing on the cinnamon rolls.

I can’t think of a better brunch addition than these citrus honey biscuits. With flavors of both orange and lemon, they’re bright and refreshing while still perfect with a slather of butter.

Our orange cardamom cake is one of my favorite desserts. Don’t let its simple appearance fool you, this cake is bursting with aromatic spices and refreshing orange flavor.