Orange Rolls

What better springy, light, and fluffy pastry is there than a perfect orange roll? Nothing! I am a huge fan of all things rolls, breads, and CARBS! I know they aren’t the best thing for you and I really try to stay away from white flour breads and pastries but sometimes you need to indulge in the cravings! And this, my friends, is the perfect recipe to indulge in! 

Everybody needs a full proof orange roll recipe and this is mine. It is perfect for cinnamon rolls and orange rolls. The bread is light and fluffy and holds together beautifully! The texture is perfect and I can always expect my rolls to turn out! I am not a big baker and yeast typically scares me, but when a recipe is exact and been tested over and over again, I know that it will turn out! So be confident when making this recipe that it’ll be perfect! 

The icing is a perfect cream cheese based icing! I absolutely love cream cheese and cream cheese frostings. The blend of cream cheese and orange flavors merge perfectly together! You really will love it! Orange rolls are a perfect way to bring people together, for entertaining a crowd, or for a little afternoon delight. 

Funny story. One Christmas a few years ago, Brandon told me that a member of his family brought orange rolls to his family party and they were the best things he’s ever tasted. Naturally, I wanted to make sure that all was fair and after he tasted my orange roll recipe, if he could still say the ones at his family Christmas party are better, then I would accept defeat. I know, it’s the competitive side in me and it shouldn’t matter but it does. I made this recipe for him and patiently waited to find out who would win this battle. He chose me, maybe because I’m his wife and maybe because they really were that good, I’m not sure, but I’ll take it! They are Brandon approved people and he doesn’t approve every recipe so it’s a good one! 

Dough

1/4 cup warm water

1 tablespoon of active dry yeast

1 cup warm milk 

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup canola oil 

1 teaspoon salt 

5 cups all-purpose flour

2 eggs

Filling

1/2 cup soft/room temperature butter

3 medium oranges, zested 

1 cup sugar 

Measure out the warm water and add active dry yeast to it. Stir until dissolved then let it stand for 5 minutes. 

Heat milk and pour it into electronic mixer. Add sugar, oil, and salt and combine on medium speed. Add one cup of flour. Then add the eggs and beat again. Stir in the active yeast. Next, add the remaining amount of flour one cup at a time, letting each cup fully incorporate before the next. 

Change the hook on the mixer to the break hook. Turn on medium high speeds for 3 minutes to knead the dough. 

Place dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Cover the bowl and let rise in a warm place until the dough has doubled in size. 

Grease 9×13 pan. 

Prepare filling by mixing together butter, orange zest, and sugar. 

One dough has rise, place on a floured surface and roll into a large rectangle. Spread filling generously on the dough. Roll the dough tightly into a log. 

Using unflavored dental floss or a sharp knife, cut the roll into 20 equal pieces. To use dental floss, place the threat under the dough, criss cross it over the dough and pull tight to create clean cut for each roll. 

Place rolls into baking dish. Cover with dish towel and let rise for another 30 minutes, or until they double in size again. 

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. When the rolls have doubled, place in oven and bake for 10-15 minutes. Frost with cream cheese icing. 

4 ounces cream cheese

2 tablespoons butter, softened

1 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon milk

1 teaspoon vanilla 

Combine all ingredients until smooth. Add extra milk until you reach the desired consistency.