Orange Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting

By Mason BrooksAug 13, 2026

Orange cinnamon rolls offer a delightful twist on traditional cinnamon rolls with their zesty, intense orange flavor complemented by warm spices and a soft, gooey texture. This recipe transforms a classic favorite by incorporating fresh orange juice into the dough, ensuring a unique taste experience. Perfect for brunch or tea time, these rolls are topped with a creamy orange icing that enhances their sweetness and adds a burst of citrus goodness.

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Prep 30 minCook 30 minTotal 60 min4 servings

Instructions

Get the zest from the oranges first for the filling, then get the juice for the dough.

Mix the lukewarm orange juice, egg, vanilla extract, and melted butter.

Mix all the dry ingredients in a separate bowl, make a hole in the center, and add all the wet ingredients in the center.

Mix everything until you have a uniform dough that is sticky, which makes the rolls gooey instead of bready.

Let the dough rest for 1 hour covered in cling film.

Dust flour on a clean tabletop and roll the dough out to a large rectangle (30x40cm or 12x17in), ensuring it’s not sticking.

Paint the melted butter on top of the dough evenly.

Mix the sugar, spices, and zest and spread it out as evenly as possible over the dough.

Start rolling the dough tightly from the beginning.

Cut the rolled dough into 3-finger thick rolls and place them in a lined baking pan.

Let them proof for 30 minutes in a warm environment.

Bake at 180°C/350°F for 20-30 minutes or until lightly golden.

For the cream cheese frosting, whip together cream cheese, vanilla, and icing sugar.

Add the orange juice gradually while whipping it in.

Spread the frosting onto the rolls once they have cooled down and finish with orange zest.

Orange Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting

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Breakfast Desserts

Orange Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting

Name: Orange Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 500 g all-purpose flour; 1.5 tsp salt; 2.25 tsp instant dry yeast; 120 g sugar; 240 ml lukewarm freshly squeezed orange juice (heat slightly if necessary); 60 g unsalted melted butter (cooled to room temperature); 1 whole egg (at room temperature); 0.5 tsp vanilla extract; 220 g brown sugar; 1 tbsp ground cinnamon; 0.5 tsp ground cardamom (optional); 3 whole oranges (zest only); 60 g unsalted melted butter (cooled to room temperature); 110 g cream cheese (at room temperature); 3 tbsp icing sugar; 0.5 tsp vanilla extract; 2 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice

By Mason BrooksAug 13, 2026

0(0)

Prep 30 minCook 30 minTotal 60 min4 servings

Ingredients

Servings4

•500 g all-purpose flour
•1.5 tsp salt
•2.25 tsp instant dry yeast
•120 g sugar
•240 ml lukewarm freshly squeezed orange juice (heat slightly if necessary)
•60 g unsalted melted butter (cooled to room temperature)
•1 whole egg (at room temperature)
•0.5 tsp vanilla extract
•220 g brown sugar
•1 tbsp ground cinnamon
•0.5 tsp ground cardamom (optional)
•3 whole oranges (zest only)
•60 g unsalted melted butter (cooled to room temperature)
•110 g cream cheese (at room temperature)
•3 tbsp icing sugar
•0.5 tsp vanilla extract
•2 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice

Instructions

1
Get the zest from the oranges first for the filling, then get the juice for the dough.
2
Mix the lukewarm orange juice, egg, vanilla extract, and melted butter.
3
Mix all the dry ingredients in a separate bowl, make a hole in the center, and add all the wet ingredients in the center.
4
Mix everything until you have a uniform dough that is sticky, which makes the rolls gooey instead of bready.
5
Let the dough rest for 1 hour covered in cling film.
6
Dust flour on a clean tabletop and roll the dough out to a large rectangle (30x40cm or 12x17in), ensuring it’s not sticking.
7
Paint the melted butter on top of the dough evenly.
8
Mix the sugar, spices, and zest and spread it out as evenly as possible over the dough.
9
Start rolling the dough tightly from the beginning.
10
Cut the rolled dough into 3-finger thick rolls and place them in a lined baking pan.
11
Let them proof for 30 minutes in a warm environment.
12
Bake at 180°C/350°F for 20-30 minutes or until lightly golden.
13
For the cream cheese frosting, whip together cream cheese, vanilla, and icing sugar.
14
Add the orange juice gradually while whipping it in.
15
Spread the frosting onto the rolls once they have cooled down and finish with orange zest.