Go Back
Print
12 frosted cinnamon rolls overhead view

Orange Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting

Soft as a cloud, these cinnamon buns are infused with orange and fluffy as a cloud with perfect cream cheese frosting on top.

Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American, Canadian
Keyword breakfast, cinnamon, cinnamon buns, cinnamon rolls, orange, orange cinnamon
Prep Time 3 hours
Servings 12 rolls

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 Tbsp dry active yeast
  • ½ cup lukewarm water
  • ½ cup lukewarm milk
  • ¼ cup butter softened
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 Tbsp sugar
  • ½ tsp salt
  • zest of 1/2 naval orange
  • 3 cups flour (420g is perfect)

Filling:

  • 1/3 c. butter softened
  • 1/3 c. brown sugar
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 Tbsp. cinnamon
  • zest of 1/2 naval orange

Frosting:

  • 1/4 c. butter softened
  • 1/2 brick cream cheese softened
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 1-2 Tbsp milk or cream
  • 2 cups icing sugar

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of an electric mixer, dissolve the yeast in warm water and milk. Allow to rest until bubbly, about 10 minutes.

  2. Add the butter, egg, sugar, salt, orange zest, and enough flour to make a soft dough. Knead until smooth, and then cover and let rise for 1 hour.

  3. In a small mixing bowl, whip the filling ingredients together until thoroughly combined. Set aside.

  4. Roll the dough into a 9x13 rectangle, or just a little larger. Spread evenly with the filling mixture. Starting with the short side, roll the dough into a log. Using a sharp knife, cut the log into 12 equal slices, and place them cut side up onto a 10"x25" baking pan lined with parchment paper, about 2 inches apart.

  5. Cover with a clean tea towel and allow to rise for 35 minutes. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F, and allow the rolls to rest another 10 minutes while the oven heats (45 minutes total rising time).

  6. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until just golden. Cool completely before frosting.

To Make the Frosting:

  1. In the bowl of an electric mixer, whip the butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add the vanilla and icing sugar; beat until the mixture comes together, and then add the milk or cream, 1 Tbsp at a time, until you have a good thick, smooth cream cheese frosting. Store in the refrigerator until use.

Recipe Notes

To Prepare These Rolls the Night Before:

  1. Follow the recipe directions up to step 4, when your rolls have been placed on a parchment lined sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerator overnight. 
  2. The next morning, allow the rolls to rise 1-2 hours or until doubled, and then bake as directed above.