Easy Overnight Orange Rolls (Print Version)

Tender rolls with fresh orange zest, glazed for a sweet breakfast or brunch treat.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, yeast, and salt until well incorporated.
02 - In a separate bowl, combine lukewarm milk, melted butter, eggs, and orange zest. Whisk until smooth.
03 - Add the wet ingredients 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 is 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 into a 10 by 16 inch rectangle.
07 - Spread softened butter over the dough, then sprinkle evenly with sugar and orange zest.
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.
10 - Refrigerate the covered rolls overnight for 8 hours or up to 12 hours.
11 - In the morning, remove rolls from refrigeration and let sit at room temperature for 45 to 60 minutes until puffy and risen.
12 - Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
13 - Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until golden brown on top.
14 - While rolls bake, whisk together powdered sugar, fresh orange juice, and orange zest until smooth and drizzle-able.
15 - Drizzle glaze over warm rolls immediately after removing from oven. Serve while warm.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • You do almost all the work the night before, so your morning feels leisurely instead of rushed.
  • Fresh orange zest makes your whole kitchen smell like you're in a citrus grove, and that flavor is genuinely addictive.
  • These rolls somehow manage to be fluffy and tender without requiring complicated techniques or fancy equipment.
02 -
  • If you forget to remove rolls from the fridge and they seem flat, give them another 30 minutes at room temperature before baking—they'll surprise you with how much they puff up.
  • The orange zest is not optional or decorative; it's the soul of these rolls, so use fresh oranges and a microplane for the best flavor.
03 -
  • For even more richness, replace half the milk with fresh orange juice in the dough—it gives you extra citrus depth without being overwhelming.
  • A tiny pinch of cardamom in the filling adds a subtle spiced note that people won't quite be able to identify but will notice is special.
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