Orange sweet rolls are a light and fluffy orange flavored yeast roll drizzled with a sweet sour cream and citrus orange glaze. Making these homemade orange sweet rolls is well worth the extra effort!

What are Orange Sweet Rolls?

Orange sweet rolls are not the same as cinnamon rolls; instead of the cinnamon-sugar mixture that is rolled between the layers of dough, the layers contain a sweet and citrusy orange mixture instead. Some versions have an orange flavored frosting or glaze while others have a more traditional frosting that is used with cinnamon rolls. Other versions may even contain cinnamon-sugar; however, that would make them an orange cinnamon roll instead. You get the idea of what a true orange sweet roll is!

Orange sweet rolls have become such a favorite in households that you can readily buy them in the refrigerator or freezer section at the grocery store. Making your own homemade version is so much better! Read below for several tips for these orange sweet rolls.  

About this Recipe

The recipe for these orange sweet rolls originate from the 1970’s. This was an era when recipes containing fruits or vegetables were somewhat considered “healthy” simply because they contained said fruit or vegetable. While this recipe is not healthy, it is a special treat that is well worth the extra effort and time that yeast breads and rolls require.

Tips Before You Start Baking Orange Sweet Rolls:

• This recipe contains sour cream in the dough and also in the sweet glaze that is bursting with orange flavor. The light glaze works well for these rolls, as frosting can somewhat weigh down sweet rolls when it hardens. Use a full-fat sour cream for the best taste.
• Invest in a microplane if you don’t already have one. The dough, filling and glaze for this recipe all contain orange zest. Although you can use different tools for zesting, the microplane tool is a must-have in your kitchen.
• Start with all of your cold ingredients for this recipe at room temperature. Yeast needs a warm area to rise; adding cold ingredients to your dough could require extra time for your dough to rise.
• I prefer to use rapid or instant rising yeast in yeast bread recipes. Check the expiration date! Expired yeast will not rise.
• Two whole oranges should provide enough zest for this recipe.

To begin this recipe, the water that the yeast will dissolve in needs to be heated to 110°F. Do not get the water too hot though, as this will kill the yeast. Use a pinch of sugar from the 1/4 cup of sugar in the dough mixture and add to the yeast and water mixture. This will help your yeast rise quicker, as yeast likes sugar.

Once the ingredients for the dough are combined, only a portion of the flour is added and the dough needs to be mixed for about 2 minutes, or until it is smooth. After the dough is smooth, the remaining flour can be added. It is then turned out to a floured surface and kneaded 15 times before it is placed in a covered bowl and allowed to rise until double in size, about an hour.

After the initial rising, the dough is divided in half and the two halves are rolled into rectangles to be brushed with melted butter and sprinkled with granulated sugar and orange zest. Once the dough is rolled an sealed, they are cut into 1″ rolls and then placed in prepared baking dishes for their second rise. After the second rise, they are ready to be baked. Once baked, the ingredients for the glaze are combined, boiled on the stovetop and poured directly on the warm rolls before serving.

Additional Tips for Orange Sweet Rolls

• These rolls are best the day they are made
• Leftovers should be refrigerated and will keep for up to three days
• Freeze baked rolls for up to 3 months 

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