Orange Cinnamon Rolls

Total Time Prep: 40 min. + rising Bake: 20 min.
Yield 16 rolls
Test Kitchen Approved
These orange cinnamon rolls have orange juice and orange zest in the dough and frosting, giving them an ideal citrus twist on a breakfast favorite.

Ingredients

  • 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
  • 3/4 cup warm whole milk (110° to 115°)
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons grated orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 4 to 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • FILLING:
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  • FROSTING:
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
  • 1 medium orange, zested and juiced
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

  1. Dissolve yeast in warm milk. In another bowl, combine orange juice, sugar, butter, eggs, orange zest, salt, yeast mixture and 2 cups flour; beat on medium speed until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).
  2. Turn out dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
  3. Punch down dough. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough into an 18x12-in. rectangle. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon. Brush with butter; sprinkle with the brown sugar mixture to within 1/2 in. of edges. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seam to seal. Cut into 12 slices; place in a greased 13x9-in. pan, cut side down. Cover with a kitchen towel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°.
  4. Bake until golden brown, 20-25 minutes. Cool on wire racks.
  5. For frosting, beat butter, cream cheese, orange juice, zest and salt until blended; gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar. Spread over tops. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrition Facts

1 roll: 371 calories, 15g fat (9g saturated fat), 61mg cholesterol, 294mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (29g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein.

Adding a splash of fresh orange juice to your cinnamon roll batter gives it a wonderful citrus flavor. But it doesn’t stop just at the dough—orange zest is also mixed into the frosting to give it that extra oomph. —Margaret Knoebel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Recipe Creator

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