Easy Overnight Orange Rolls (Print)

Tender orange-flavored rolls with a sweet citrus glaze, ideal for a cozy breakfast or brunch.

# Ingredients:

→ Dough

01 - 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 1/4 teaspoons instant dry yeast
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 3/4 cup whole milk, lukewarm
06 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
07 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
08 - Zest of 2 large oranges

→ Filling

09 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
11 - Zest of 1 large orange

→ Glaze

12 - 1 cup powdered sugar
13 - 2 to 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
14 - 1 teaspoon orange zest

# Directions:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, yeast, and salt until evenly distributed.
02 - In a separate bowl, combine milk, melted butter, eggs, and orange zest, stirring until well incorporated.
03 - Add the wet ingredient mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until a sticky dough forms.
04 - Knead by hand or with a stand mixer using the dough hook for 7 to 8 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
05 - Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 2 hours until doubled in size.
06 - Punch down the dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface to a 10 by 16-inch rectangle.
07 - Spread softened butter over the dough, then sprinkle with sugar and orange zest for the filling.
08 - Roll up the dough tightly from the longer edge and cut into 12 even rolls using a sharp knife or dental floss.
09 - Arrange rolls in a greased 9 by 13-inch baking dish. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
10 - In the morning, let the rolls sit at room temperature for 45 to 60 minutes until they become puffy.
11 - Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
12 - Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until the rolls are golden brown.
13 - While baking, prepare the glaze by whisking together powdered sugar, orange juice, and zest until smooth.
14 - Drizzle glaze over warm rolls immediately before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • You prep everything the night before, so breakfast practically makes itself while you're still half asleep.
  • The fresh orange zest gives you that café-quality flavor without any fancy techniques or weird ingredients.
  • They're impossibly soft and fluffy, the kind of rolls that disappear faster than you can pour the coffee.
02 -
  • The overnight cold rise isn't just convenient—it's actually better for flavor development and structure, so don't skip it or rush it by leaving rolls on the counter overnight.
  • When the rolls come out of the fridge in the morning, they should look puffy and soft to the touch, not dense or flat; if they're not proofed enough, give them another 15-20 minutes at room temperature.
03 -
  • Dental floss or kitchen twine cuts clean rolls better than a serrated knife because it doesn't compress the dough as you slice.
  • If you're short on time, you can skip the overnight refrigeration and let the rolls rise at room temperature for 2-3 hours instead, though the flavor won't be quite as developed.
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