Orange Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing Recipe

Introduction

These Orange Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing combine the classic warmth of cinnamon with a bright citrus twist. Perfect for a cozy breakfast or brunch, they offer a soft, gooey texture and a rich, tangy icing that’s simply irresistible.

Ingredients

• 6 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 cup whole milk
• 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 packet instant yeast (about 2 1/4 tsp)
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2/3 cup orange marmalade
• 1/4 cup heavy cream, optional
• 1/4 cup heavy cream (or whole milk)
• 3 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 tsp orange zest (about the zest from a medium orange), plus more for sprinkling on top

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, gently heat the 6 tablespoons of butter and 1 cup of milk together until warm, about 112-115°F. Set aside.
2. Step 2: In the bowl of a standing mixer, combine flour, granulated sugar, salt, and instant yeast. Mix to combine.
3. Step 3: Add the egg to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
4. Step 4: Slowly drizzle the warm milk and butter mixture into the flour mixture while mixing on low speed with the dough hook.
5. Step 5: Continue kneading with the dough hook on medium-low speed for about 6 minutes. The dough should pull away from the sides of the bowl and feel tacky, but not sticky.
6. Step 6: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and shape into a ball. Place in an oiled bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let rise in a warm place for 45-60 minutes until doubled in size.
7. Step 7: Punch down the dough and transfer to a floured surface. Roll it into a rectangle about 14×10 inches.
8. Step 8: Spread the softened 1/4 cup butter evenly over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges. Then spread the orange marmalade on top of the butter.
9. Step 9: In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon. Sprinkle this cinnamon sugar mixture generously over the marmalade layer.
10. Step 10: Carefully roll the dough into a log from the long edge and pinch the seam to seal. Place seam side down and cut into 10-12 rolls.
11. Step 11: Arrange the rolls in a greased 13×9 baking dish, spacing them slightly apart. Cover loosely with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let rise for 30-45 minutes until doubled.
12. Step 12: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove the cover and optionally drizzle the tops with heavy cream for extra richness.
13. Step 13: Bake the rolls for 28-30 minutes, until golden brown. Let them cool for a few minutes before icing.
14. Step 14: For the cream cheese icing, beat together heavy cream and cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and orange zest and mix until combined.
15. Step 15: Spread the icing over the warm rolls and sprinkle with additional orange zest if desired. Serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• Use freshly grated orange zest for a brighter citrus flavor.
• Substitute orange marmalade with apricot jam for a different fruity twist.
• For a dairy-free version, use plant-based milk, vegan butter, and a dairy-free cream cheese alternative.
• Allow rolls to cool slightly before icing to prevent melting the frosting too much.

Storage

Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven before serving. Add fresh icing after reheating if needed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these cinnamon rolls ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and let it rise overnight in the refrigerator. Roll, slice, and bake the rolls the following day for fresh cinnamon rolls with minimal effort.

What if I don’t have instant yeast?

You can use active dry yeast instead, but be sure to proof it in warm water with a pinch of sugar before adding it to the flour mixture. This ensures the yeast is active and will help the dough rise properly.

Orange Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 93 reviews

• Author: Lana
• Total Time: 3 hours
• Yield: 10 servings 1x

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Description

Delight in these Orange Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing, featuring a soft, fluffy yeast dough infused with bright orange zest and sweet cinnamon-spiced filling. Topped with a luscious, tangy cream cheese icing and extra orange zest for a fresh, citrusy finish, these rolls are perfect for a weekend breakfast or special brunch treat.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough Ingredients

• 6 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 cup whole milk
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 (0.25 ounce) packet instant yeast (about 2 1/4 tsp)
• 1 egg

Filling Ingredients

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2/3 cup orange marmalade
• 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional for drizzling before baking)

Cream Cheese Icing

• 3 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup heavy cream (or whole milk)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 tsp orange zest (plus more for sprinkling on top)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the dough: Heat the butter and whole milk together in a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl until the mixture reaches about 112-115°F. Set aside to cool slightly.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a stand mixer bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, salt, and instant yeast.
3. Add the egg: Crack the egg into the dry ingredients and mix just until combined.
4. Combine wet and dry: Slowly drizzle the warm butter and milk mixture into the flour mixture while mixing on low with the dough hook attachment to form a dough.
5. Knead the dough: Continue kneading with the dough hook on medium-low speed for about 6 minutes, until the dough pulls away from the sides and feels tacky but not sticky.
6. First rise: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a ball. Place into a greased bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 45-60 minutes.
7. Prepare the filling: Roll the risen dough out into a 14×10-inch rectangle on a floured surface. Spread the softened butter evenly, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Spread orange marmalade over the butter. Mix the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon, then sprinkle generously over the marmalade.
8. Form rolls: Carefully roll the dough into a log, pinch the seam to seal, and place seam-side down. Cut into 10-12 rolls.
9. Second rise: Place rolls in a greased 13×9-inch baking dish spaced slightly apart. Cover loosely with plastic wrap or a damp towel and allow to rise until doubled, about 30-45 minutes.
10. Preheat oven and optional cream drip: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove the cover and, if desired, drizzle the rolls with heavy cream for extra gooeyness.
11. Bake: Bake the rolls for 28-30 minutes until golden brown. Let cool for a few minutes before icing.
12. Make cream cheese icing: Using a hand or stand mixer, beat the cream cheese and heavy cream until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, pinch of salt, and orange zest. Mix until fully combined.
13. Ice and serve: Spread the cream cheese icing over the warm rolls and sprinkle with additional orange zest. Serve fresh and enjoy.

Notes

• Use freshly zested orange for the best vibrant citrus flavor.
• The optional heavy cream drizzle before baking adds richness and a gooey texture.
• Make sure the milk and butter mixture is warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
• If you prefer smaller rolls, cut the dough into 12 pieces instead of 10.
• You can prepare the dough the night before by refrigerating it after the first rise and baking the next day.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: cinnamon rolls, orange cinnamon rolls, cream cheese icing, breakfast rolls, yeast dough, brunch recipe, orange zest, sweet rolls