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Pillowy Soft & Fluffy Orange Sweet Rolls Recipe

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3.9 from 5 reviews

  • Author: Sara
  • Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 12 rolls

Description

These Pillowy Soft & Fluffy Orange Sweet Rolls are a delightful breakfast or brunch treat, featuring a tender, cardamom-infused dough rolled with a zesty orange sugar filling. Baked to golden perfection and topped with a luscious orange cream cheese icing, these sweet rolls combine citrus brightness with comforting sweetness for an irresistible pastry experience.

Ingredients

Dough

  • ¾ cup whole milk, warmed to about 115-120°F
  • ½ cup granulated sugar, divided
  • 1 package (2 ¼ teaspoons) instant or active dry yeast
  • ¼ cup fresh squeezed orange juice
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted & cooled
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla essence (vanilla bean paste or extract)
  • 4 ½ cups bread flour, plus more as needed
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom

Filling

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • Zest of 1 large orange (about 1 tablespoon)
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened

Icing

  • 4 ounces cream cheese (block-style), softened
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 2-4 tablespoons fresh squeezed orange juice, divided
  • Zest of 1 large orange (about 1 tablespoon)

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: In the bowl of a stand mixer or a large bowl, combine the warmed milk and 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, stirring until dissolved. Sprinkle yeast over the top and mix lightly. Allow the mixture to sit for 10-15 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
  2. Mix the dough: Once foamy, add the remaining granulated sugar, fresh orange juice, eggs, melted butter, vanilla essence, bread flour, salt, and ground cardamom to the bowl. Using the dough hook attachment, mix on low speed until ingredients start coming together, about 1-2 minutes.
  3. Knead the dough: Increase the mixer speed to medium and knead until the dough is smooth, elastic, and supple, approximately 5-6 minutes. Alternatively, knead by hand for about 10 minutes on a lightly floured surface, adding extra flour by the tablespoon only if the dough is too sticky.
  4. First rise: Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let it proof in a warm spot until it doubles in size, roughly 1 ½ hours, though time may vary by environment temperature.
  5. Prepare the filling: In a medium bowl, combine granulated sugar, orange zest, and salt. Rub the zest into the sugar with your fingers until well mixed and aromatic. Set aside to let the orange flavor infuse.
  6. Roll out the dough: Once risen, punch down the dough to release air. Turn it onto a lightly floured surface and roll into a 20×10 inch rectangle. Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough, leaving a small margin around the edges.
  7. Fill and shape rolls: Sprinkle the orange sugar mixture evenly over the buttered dough, again leaving a little margin. Starting from the long side, roll the dough tightly into a log with the seam side down. Pinch the seam to seal and trim the ends if they are smaller.
  8. Cut rolls: Using a large sharp knife or unscented dental floss, cut the roll crosswise into 12 equal pieces.
  9. Prepare for baking: Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Place rolls in the pan with space in between for expansion. Cover loosely with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let them puff up while the oven preheats to 350°F.
  10. Bake the rolls: Remove cover and bake at 350°F for about 25-30 minutes or until rolls are lightly golden brown and cooked through.
  11. Make the icing: In a bowl, beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and continue beating. Mix in 2 tablespoons of fresh orange juice and orange zest, beating until silky smooth. Adjust consistency by adding up to 2 more tablespoons of orange juice if needed.
  12. Serve: Once the rolls have cooled slightly, spread the orange cream cheese icing generously over them. Optionally, garnish with extra orange zest. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture. Enjoy these soft, citrusy sweet rolls fresh!

Notes

  • Make sure milk is warmed to 115-120°F to properly activate yeast without killing it.
  • You can substitute bread flour with all-purpose flour but bread flour gives a better chewy texture.
  • If you don’t have cardamom, you can omit or substitute with a pinch of cinnamon for a different warm spice.
  • Use dental floss for cutting rolls if you don’t want to crush them with a knife.
  • Let rolls cool slightly before icing to prevent the icing from melting off completely.
  • Fresh orange juice and zest are key to achieving the bright citrus flavor in both filling and icing.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast Pastry
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://sarabaking.com/pillowy-soft-and-fluffy-orange-sweet-rolls-recipe/