Tessa’s Recipe Rundown
Taste: Just as the name describes! Bright, sweet, and citrusy.
Texture: For all of the shortcuts taken to make this recipe quick and easy, these rolls are shockingly fluffy and tender.
Ease: Super easy, but a little messy.
Pros: Nostalgic and delicious, but easy enough to make for a special breakfast or brunch.
Cons: None!
Would I make this again? Have already made these several times!
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Orange Sweet Rolls are comfort food with a fresh citrus twist!
Take cinnamon rolls, but replace all of the cinnamon flavor with bright and fresh orange flavor and you’ve got this delightful recipe. It’s absolutely perfect for any spring brunch, like Easter or Mother’s Day.
This recipe takes a lot of shortcuts to save time and energy. It relies on the power of instant yeast to make fluffy rolls with just 10 minutes of “rising” time. You may notice these are slightly less puffy and fluffy than traditional rolls, but they’re still absolutely mouthwatering.

Actually, when I shared these rolls with my friend and photographer, Constance, she was taken back to making similar rolls with her grandma as a kid.
That’s the beauty of baking.
More Recipes You’ll Love:
- Gooey Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (traditional cinnamon roll flavors with the fluffiest texture ever!)
- Cranberry Orange Coffee Cake
- Cranberry Orange Scones
- The Best Classic Banana Bread
- Old-Fashioned Sour Cream Doughnuts

Orange Sweet Rolls
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Ingredients
For the dough:
- 1 cup lukewarm milk
- 1/3 cup lukewarm water
- 1 package (2 1/4 teaspoons) instant yeast*
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 3 1/2 cups (445 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
For the filling:
- 3 tablespoons (43 grams) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup (200 grams) orange marmalade
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) light brown sugar
For the icing:
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 cup (125 grams) powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
For the dough:
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine all the dough ingredients and stir until combined. Turn the mixer on medium speed and knead for 5 minutes, or until smooth. Remove the dough to a floured work surface, cover, and let rest for 10 minutes.
For the filling:
- In a small bowl combine the butter, marmalade, and salt.
- After the dough has rested, use a floured rolling pin to roll it out into about a 9 by 15-inch rectangle. Spread the butter mixture all over, leaving a 1/2-inch border at the far edge. Sprinkle the sugar all over. Roll the dough up, pinching with your fingers to keep it tightly rolled. Press the seam to seal before positioning the log seam side down.
- Use a very sharp knife to cut off the ends then cut the dough into 11 to 12 equal pieces. Place in greased pie pan or 9 by 13-inch baking pan.
MAKE AHEAD:
- At this point you could cover and refrigerate the rolls overnight then let them come back to room temperature for 1 hour before baking.
- Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Let cool on a wire rack for at least 5 minutes.
For the icing:
- While the rolls cool, whisk together the icing ingredients until smooth. Drizzle all over the warm rolls and serve.
Recipe Notes

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Photos by Constance Higley.
Nope still mot fixed cant dee video
I didn’t have any issues with it jumping. I’m watching from a new iPad. Hopefully the problems is fixed. I did however have to watch a commercial in the middle of one of your videos on this page. I understand the need for advertising but should be at the beginning and not in the middle. Thanks for the recipe, I’m make for breakfast this weekend.
I’m not sure what everyone is talking about regarding the jumping. I was able to view the post without any problem on my phone. I just noticed their posts are dated the 14th, so maybe it’s been fixed.
Anyway these rolls look yummy!
I’m not able to see the actual video. I saw the advertisement before but with no sound. Now unable to see the video at all. Screen remains blank with know sound either.
ditto with those ads…soon it’ll be like TV and we won’t be looking!
I’d like to read this, but the constant jumping of the screen is driving me nuts. Sorry – otherwise looks good.
I’m having the same jumping screen hard to read , thank so for the great recipe
I’m having the same problem. Impossible tomread
I have the same problem with the jumping it’s impossible to read the post!
I have the same screen jumping problem. I give up.
Hi! I am trying to read your email and recipe, but it keeps jumping ahead so it makes it impossible! It is almost pulsing as it jumps! Could it have something to do with the photos changing? As I type this , the screen keeps jumping out of sight and I have to scroll back to see what I am writing! There must be a glitch in your new format! This is a new iPad, so it isn’t on my end. Help!
Hi, Liz! I’m so sorry to hear that! I’m not having this problem on any device or browser myself so I’m really not sure what yiu guys mean when you say “jumping!” I’ll look into this.
Hi Tessa, they look great! I have also gotten into sweet yeast dough with fruits. You can also heat up sliced up strawberries, raspberries or other fruit with a bit of lemon juice and cornstarch and then place that inside the dough. So great and delicious!
Just one question, though. Is there no rise at all? Or maybe only one but you didn’t mention it? Thanks for letting me know.