Cinnamon Orange Rolls (Plus VIDEO)

These fall-scented cinnamon orange rolls are as tasty as the original cinnamon rolls you know and love, but they’re much more flavorful! Let’s just say this is a classic reinvented. Yes, you can get them in a can and pop them in the oven, but these babies are so much better. And who can’t use an orange cinnamon roll for breakfast every now and then?

Contents… Why Make Cinnamon Orange Rolls? Cinnamon Orange Roll Ingredients Alternative Ingredients  Tips and Tricks Serving and Storage Instructions FAQs What Goes with Orange Cinnamon Rolls? More Cinnamon Recipes to Try  How to Make Cinnamon Orange Rolls Watch How To Make It

Cinnamon rolls are sticky, sweet, and fluffy; they’re just perfect. Still, who doesn’t appreciate a twist on a classic once in a while?

Here’s my recipe for homemade cinnamon rolls flavored with luscious orange zest.

This easy cinnamon roll recipe is like nothing you’ve tried before. It may be a bit of a challenge if you’ve never made them before, but with my super easy instructions, you’ll get the hang of it in no time. So let’s make some cinnamon rolls!

Why Make Cinnamon Orange Rolls?

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with traditional cinnamon rolls. But they are something else when you spice them up with orange zest and a splash of orange juice. It’s pure genius!

These orange cinnamon rolls have a citrusy personality that makes them so perfect for sunny days and chilly evenings. 

Cinnamon Orange Roll Ingredients

For the Rolls

• Milk — Milk enriches bread dough for moister and more flavorsome results. It also helps it brown to a beautiful golden color.
• Yeast — Dry yeast works best for homemade cinnamon rolls and the perfect rise. 
• Butter — Use unsalted butter for the dough since we’re already adding some salt. Butter makes these rolls even more delicious and moist.
• Granulated Sugar — Rolls are sweet but balanced, so we’re not making the dough too sweet. After all, we’ve got the cinnamon-sugar filling and the frosting too.
• Vanilla — Aromatic vanilla makes every dessert better, so we’re adding just a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the dough. And, of course, it’s easy and cheaper to make your own.
• Eggs — Eggs bring everything together as the perfect binder. It also holds moisture better.
• Orange — Orange juice and zest make this easy cinnamon roll recipe extra special. 
• Salt — This pantry-staple ingredient balances and defines the flavors. 
• Flour — This is the base for the cinnamon rolls. Sift it to prevent lumps. All-purpose flour works best, but if that’s not what you have, check out my substitutes. 

For the Filling

• Sugar — Cinnamon rolls have a sweet filling. Yum!! Together with delectable spices, it makes the buttery orange flavor even better.
• Orange Zest — Orange zest adds depth of flavor and warmth to these rolls. 
• Cinnamon — These are cinnamon rolls, right? So, let’s be generous with this soul-warming spice. 
• Butter — A buttery core gives softness to this deliciousness. I don’t know about you, but the part I love most is the buttery middle.😋

For the Frosting

• Cream Cheese — Now, for the best part, a cream cheese frosting not only makes our rolls beautiful but also brings an incredible taste explosion to the table. 
• Powdered Sugar – For a sweet frosting without the graininess of granulated sugar. Drooling!
• Butter — Butter makes frosting creamy and irresistible.
• Orange Zest — It’s incredible how the orange zest pairs so well with cinnamon. It’s a match made in heaven.
• Orange Juice — Just a tablespoon of orange juice will give the frosting a pleasant mouthfeel. You’ll love it in these cinnamon rolls.

Alternative Ingredients 

• Other Citrus — If you think using orange in cinnamon rolls is fun, wait until you try key lime, lemon, or tangerine.  
• Brown Sugar — Using brown sugar instead of granulated sugar makes the cinnamon rolls more rustic. 
• Ricotta — Ricotta is an excellent substitute for cream cheese. It’s lower fat but still deliciously creamy. 
• Chopped Nuts — Who says cinnamon rolls can’t be crunchy? Chopped almonds, walnuts, or pecans added to the filling with the sugar mixture make an amazingly nutty orange cinnamon roll. 

Tips and Tricks

1. Work with room-temperature ingredients so that you get a smoother dough and more consistent results.
2. Don’t over-knead your dough, or it will become tough, and no one wants tough cinnamon rolls.
3. Sticky dough isn’t a problem. If hard to handle, just dust it with flour.
4. Don’t make the dough too thin, so it doesn’t tear. However, you don’t want it too thick either. Remember, the dough will rise in the oven.

Serving and Storage Instructions

Serve these cinnamon rolls at breakfast while still warm. These are gorgeous with a hot cup of Pumpkin Spice Latte or Chai Tea Latte, and the rolls are also lovely the day after.

Store cinnamon rolls in a cake box or an airtight container at room temperature on the counter for 2-3 days.

To freeze baked cinnamon rolls, double-wrap them with film to protect them from freezer burn.

Reheat cinnamon rolls in the oven at 280°F/138℃-300°F/150℃ for ten minutes or until soft and warm.

FAQs

What Goes with Orange Cinnamon Rolls?

• Blended Thai Iced Coffee
• Chai Tea Latte
• Rum Raisin Pineapple Ice Cream
• Pumpkin Spice Latte

More Cinnamon Recipes to Try 

• Cinnamon Bread Rolls
• Cinnamon Raisin Bread
• Bread Pudding with Rum Sauce
• Cinnamon Apple Cake

How to Make Cinnamon Orange Rolls

Prepare the Dough

• Activate the Yeast – In a large bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let it sit until it dissolves, about 3-5 minutes.
• Melt the Butter — In a microwaveable bowl, add butter—microwave for about 1-1½ minutes. After a minute, stir until butter has completely melted. (Photo 1 and 2)
• Prepare the Wet Ingredients — Pour the warm (not hot) butter into the yeast mixture, add vanilla extract, sugar, eggs, orange juice, orange zest, and salt – thoroughly mix. (Photo 3 & 4)

• Add the Flour and Mix — Gently add the flour, one cup at a time. Mix well, using your hands or a stand mixer. The dough is going to be sticky. If it’s too sticky, add just a tad more flour. Less flour is preferable for a moist cinnamon roll. (Photo 5-8)
• Let the Dough Rise — Cover the dough loosely with a clean cloth and let rise in a warm, draft-free place for an hour or two or until doubled. (Photo 9-10)

The Filling

• Prepare the Filling — Make cinnamon sugar by combining sugar, cinnamon, and orange zest. Set aside until ready to use. Punch the dough down. (Photo 11-13)

Assembly

• Knead the Dough — Lightly flour a board surface, roll out to a 1-inch-thick rectangle. Brush with melted butter, leaving an approximately 1-inch border on the cinnamon dough, sprinkle with the orange-cinnamon-sugar mixture. Pat it gently on the surface. (Photo 14-16)

• Roll it Up — Starting with the end nearest you, roll the dough up nice and snug like a jelly roll around the filling, finishing the roll with the seam side down. Don’t forget to pinch the seal, so they don’t come apart while baking. (Photo 17)
• Slice the Rolls — Slice the roll into four equal lengths, then slice each one into three equal parts for a total of twelve rolls. (Photo 18-19)
• Prep the Pan — Oil the bottom of the baking pan with butter or cooking spray. Place orange cinnamon roll slices close together in the pan and let rise until they double in size, about 45 minutes. (Photo 20-21)

• Bake the Rolls – Bake the orange cinnamon rolls for about 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove them from the oven and let them cool for about 5 minutes. (Photo 22)
• Make the Glaze — For the cream cheese glaze, whip together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, orange zest, vanilla, and one or more tablespoons of orange juice until very creamy. (Photo 23-24)
• Finishing Touches — Add enough orange juice to get the desired consistency for drizzling. Pour over the rolls as soon as they come out of the oven.
• Serve — Serve warm with coffee or tea.

Watch How To Make It

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