I don't make these orange cinnamon rolls often because, frankly, I eat the whole pan, give or take. They're very soft and gooey, with that wonderful combination that is cinnamon and orange. They can be frozen.
The smell in your kitchen makes it impossible to resist them. If you're like me and try everything warm from the oven, you will get into trouble. Ideally, they should be eaten within a few hours of baking them.
But, make no mistake, you can freeze them and reheat them briefly before eating. It's the little things, you guys. Like a warm orange cinnamon roll.
There is something about working with yeast that is irresistible to me. But I know it's not everyone's favorite subject. It takes a bit of work and organization. You have to adapt to its rhythm.
But once you know how yeast works and get some practice, you can pop the dough into the fridge until the next day, or freeze the unbaked rolls in the pans and give them their last rise after they've come back to room temperature (do it in stages, first transfer the pan to the fridge and when it's thawed transfer it to the counter so it comes to room temperature and starts its final rise).
There are shortcuts, you just have to know how the dough works.
The recipe is adapted from the fabulous Mel, which I'm sure you all know.
I've been using this recipe for years now, and it's hard to use another one. This one works so well! Why mess with something that is great, right?.
So, these orange cinnamon rolls are a staple in my kitchen, and they should make their way into yours.
The dough is straightforward, easy to work with, and they have the tenderness and traditional flavor you're hoping for.
Orange zest
The addition of orange zest and juice in the glaze makes for a fabulous combination. Because you do know that orange and cinnamon are amazing together. And for me, they are associated with fall baking. For some reason, oranges remind me of a fireplace, chilly days, and lazy weekend baking.
No matter what you think, these orange cinnamon rolls will win a place in your heart, and kitchen hopefully. Give them a try. They're so worth it!
Related recipes you might like:
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Orange Cinnamon Rolls
I don't make these orange cinnamon rolls often because, frankly, I eat the whole pan, give or take. They're very soft and gooey, with that wonderful combination that is cinnamon and orange. They can be frozen.
- Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 rolls
Ingredients
For the dough:
- ¾ cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice to make your own)
- 6 tablespoons (90g) unsalted butter, melted and lukewarm
- 3 eggs, at room temperature
- 2 ¼ cups cake flour
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup (50g) sugar
- 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast
- 1 ¼ teaspoons salt
For the filling:
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup (200g) light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Zest o 2 oranges
For the glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons orange juice
Instructions
- If you’re using milk and lemon juice, mix in a medium bowl and let curdle about 5 minutes.
- Add both flours, sugar, and yeast to the bowl of a mixer.
- Add milk, eggs, butter, and salt.
- Mix on medium speed for about 10 minutes. A dough will form but it will not separate completely from the bowl, it will be barely sticky.
- If it’s too sticky add a few Tbs flour, one at a time, but not too many.
- Transfer this dough to an oiled bowl, turn over, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean towel and let rise in a draft-free area until doubled in volume, about 2 hours.
- Gently turn the dough onto a clean counter and pat into a rectangle, about 16x12-inches, the long side parallel to the counter.
- Have the filling ingredients ready.
- Pat mounds of butter all over the dough. Gently spread it to cover the entire surface.
- Mix the sugar, cinnamon, and zest. Add it on top of the butter.
- Lift the longest edge closer to you, from one end to the other, and keep rolling, trying to tighten it as you do.
- Cut in half, then each piece in half again, and each of those fourths in three rolls.
- Place in a greased 9x13-inch pan, cover with a clean towel and let rise for 1 hour or a bit more until puffed.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350ºF / 180ºC.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden and puffed, and baked through.
- Prepare glaze by mixing sugar and juice until smooth.
- Drizzle over warm rolls before eating.
- Can be wrapped in plastic and foil and frozen up to a month. Let thaw at room temperature. Reheat a few minutes before eating.
Notes
- Flour: I use both cake and all-purpose flour for texture, but all-purpose flour works well.
- Freezing: you can keep them frozen and warm them in a medium-low oven (300°-325°F) before eating.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Resting time: 3 hours
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Bakery
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: orange cinnamon rolls
Hallmark Buddy says
Already added the ingredients to my shopping list.
Can’t wait to try this one!
★★★★★
Fernanda says
Hola Pau!
Cúando dices harina de pastel, te refieres a las de cajita para hacer pasteles (Betty crocker y esas marcas)? O qué tipo de harina de pastel? Muchas gracias!!
Paula Montenegro says
Hola Fernanda, calculo que te referís a cake flour. Es harina de trigo común, pero más refinada y con menos gluten que para pan. Acá en Argentina es la 0000.
John/Kitchen Riffs says
Gosh, these look terrific! Don't think I've ever had orange in cinnamon rolls, but love the idea. I'll bet the flavor of these is awesome! Thanks so much.
Paula Montenegro says
I mix cinnamon and orange all the time, why not rolls?! Thanks John!
David says
These will be perfect for our Halloween brunch! Can't wait to make them!
Mi Vida en un Dulce says
Me encanta la idea de usar naranja, para romper la monotonía de siempre la canela.
Una cosita, revisa los tiempos en la receta, cuando vi que decía 20 horas pensé que había que dejarlo en la refri, pero luego el tiempo de cocción dice 25 horas...así que supongo es solo un pequeño error de tipeo 🙂
★★★★★
Paula Montenegro says
Gracias por avisar Nydia! Lo puse en hora en vez de minutos!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
The minute winter hits, I'm all about citrus, these sound SO good, and different from the run of the mill mall copy cat recipes ~ love them!
Paula Montenegro says
Thanks Sue!
Deb|EastofEdenCooking says
I grew up with homemade sweet rolls but never with orange! Since I'm a citrus lover, I must try this fabulous version of the classic!
★★★★
Paula Montenegro says
I'm a citrus lover too! Have a great week Deb!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
LOL You sound very much like me...my husband might get one or two rolls, and I will take care of the rest :-)) That's why I dare not to bake them because my self control never won in front of freshly baked goods. These sweet rolls look marvelous, Paula.