Christmas Orange Rolls that Will Brighten Your Holidays Recipe

Introduction

These Christmas Orange Rolls are a delightful twist on a classic favorite, perfect for brightening up your holiday mornings. Soft, fluffy, and infused with fresh orange zest and juice, they offer a festive flavor that’s hard to resist.

A close-up image of a soft cinnamon roll on a white plate, showing the white icing dripping over its golden-brown swirled dough. The roll has visible layers of fluffy bread with a light yellow color inside and a slightly crispy crust on the outside. In the background, there are more cinnamon rolls stacked, along with a sliced orange and a white cup, all set on a white marbled surface. The scene is bright with natural light highlighting the shiny glaze and soft texture of the roll. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 packet active dry yeast
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the yeast is foamy.
  2. Step 2: Melt the butter and mix it with sugar, eggs, salt, and orange zest until well combined.
  3. Step 3: Add the yeast mixture and orange juice to the butter mixture, stirring to combine.
  4. Step 4: Gradually add the flour and knead the dough until smooth and elastic.
  5. Step 5: Place the dough in a warm spot and let it rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
  6. Step 6: Roll out the dough into a rectangle, then cut it into individual rolls.
  7. Step 7: Arrange the rolls in a greased baking dish and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
  8. Step 8: Bake the rolls at 350°F (175°C) for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
  9. Step 9: Mix powdered sugar with orange juice to create the glaze.
  10. Step 10: Drizzle the glaze over the warm rolls before serving for a bright finishing touch.

Tips & Variations

  • For an extra citrus kick, add a teaspoon of orange extract to the dough.
  • Substitute milk with almond or oat milk for a dairy-free option.
  • Add chopped nuts or dried cranberries inside the rolls for texture and seasonal flavor.
  • If you prefer a thicker glaze, reduce the orange juice amount gradually until it reaches your desired consistency.

Storage

Store leftover orange rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven before serving to restore their soft texture. The glaze is best added fresh, but rolls can be glazed and refrigerated if desired.

How to Serve

Three cinnamon rolls with a soft, golden-brown dough base sit on a white plate. Each roll is thick and fluffy with a visible swirl of bright yellow-orange filling inside, likely cheese or custard, and they are topped with a shiny glaze. White icing is drizzled over the top in thin, uneven lines, adding a smooth texture contrast. The plate rests on a white marbled surface, and the light from the window softly lights the rolls, highlighting their warm, inviting colors. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare the dough the night before?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and let it rise in the refrigerator overnight. Bring it to room temperature and allow a short second rise before baking.

What if I don’t have fresh oranges for zest and juice?

You can use bottled orange juice and store-bought orange zest, but fresh oranges will give the best flavor and aroma for these rolls.

Print

Christmas Orange Rolls that Will Brighten Your Holidays Recipe

These Christmas Orange Rolls are a delightful holiday treat that combines the warm, comforting flavors of fluffy yeast rolls with a bright, citrusy orange zest and juice infusion. Perfect for festive breakfasts or desserts, these rolls feature a soft, tender dough enriched with orange zest and juice, baked to golden perfection and topped with a sweet orange glaze that will brighten your holiday celebrations.

  • Author: reem
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 packet active dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
  • 1 cup warm milk
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1/2 cup orange juice

Glaze Ingredients

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup orange juice (for glaze)

Instructions

  1. Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm milk and active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the yeast becomes frothy, indicating it is activated and ready to use.
  2. Prepare Wet Mixture: Melt the butter and mix it with the sugar, eggs, salt, and orange zest in a large mixing bowl. Stir until fully combined and smooth.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients: Add the activated yeast mixture and orange juice to the butter mixture, stirring gently to incorporate all the wet ingredients evenly.
  4. Add Flour and Knead: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the wet mixture. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes, either by hand or using a stand mixer with a dough hook.
  5. First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
  6. Shape Rolls: Roll out the dough on a floured surface into a rectangle shape. Cut the dough into individual rolls of desired size, typically about 12 pieces.
  7. Second Rise: Place the cut rolls in a greased baking dish, cover, and allow them to rise for another 30 minutes until puffy.
  8. Bake Rolls: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 25 minutes or until they turn golden brown and are cooked through.
  9. Prepare Glaze: While the rolls are baking, mix the powdered sugar with orange juice until smooth to make a light glaze.
  10. Glaze and Serve: Once the rolls are out of the oven and still warm, drizzle the orange glaze over them. Serve warm and enjoy the festive citrus flavor.

Notes

  • For best results, ensure the milk is warm (around 110°F) but not hot, to properly activate the yeast.
  • You can substitute fresh orange juice with store-bought, but fresh juice enhances the flavor.
  • If you prefer a thicker glaze, reduce the amount of orange juice gradually.
  • The rolls can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days; reheat slightly before serving.
  • For an extra festive touch, sprinkle additional orange zest or dried cranberries inside the rolls before baking.

Keywords: Christmas rolls, orange rolls, holiday breakfast, yeast rolls, citrus glaze, festive baking

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