Description
These orange rolls copycat Pillsbury sweet rolls are incredibly soft, fluffy, and bursting with fresh citrus flavor. Made with real orange zest and topped with a tangy orange glaze, they taste even better than the classic canned version and are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or special mornings.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough:
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 3/4 cup warm milk
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (plus more if needed)
Orange Filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- Zest of 2 large oranges
Orange Glaze:
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (as needed)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: Combine warm milk and sugar. Sprinkle yeast on top and let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Make Dough: Mix eggs, butter, salt, and yeast mixture. Gradually add flour and knead until soft and slightly tacky.
- First Rise: Place dough in greased bowl, cover, and let rise 1–1.5 hours until doubled.
- Prepare Filling: Mix butter, sugar, and orange zest until smooth.
- Shape Rolls: Roll dough into a rectangle, spread filling evenly, roll tightly, and slice into 12 rolls.
- Second Rise: Arrange rolls in greased 9×13 pan, cover, and rise 30–45 minutes until puffy.
- Bake: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25–28 minutes until lightly golden.
- Glaze: Whisk glaze ingredients and drizzle over warm rolls before serving.
Notes
- Milk temperature: Warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
- Extra flavor: Zest oranges directly into sugar to release oils.
- Make ahead: Assemble rolls and refrigerate overnight before baking.
- Storage: Keep airtight up to 2 days or refrigerate up to 5 days.
- Freezer-friendly: Freeze unglazed rolls up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Orange rolls, Pillsbury orange sweet rolls copycat, orange sweet rolls recipe, citrus breakfast rolls, homemade sweet rolls