Orange Cinnamon Rolls

Orange cinnamon rolls! These remind me of childhood back home. My dad would always buy these orange cinnamon rolls and we would roll them out and bake them on Sunday mornings. I would just eat the orange glaze by the spoonful it was the best. This is like those but not out of a can and a whole lot better! Fresh orange zest mixed with cinnamon sugar rolled up in this fluffy buttery dough!

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 tsp. dry active yeast
• 3/4 cup warm milk
• 2 tbsp. honey
• 3 1/2 – 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter room temperature
• 3 eggs, room temperature
• 2 1/2 tbsp orange zest
• 1 tbsp. ground cinnamon
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 6 tbsp butter, room temperature

Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

• 8 oz cream cheese softened
• 4 tbsp. butter, room temperature
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp. fresh orange juice
• 1 tbsp. vanilla extract

Directions

For the dough, in a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment combine the warm milk, yeast and honey. Mix together and then let sit for about 5 minutes until its bubbly on top. Then add in 3 1/2 cups flour, salt, butter and eggs. Mix it together on a low speed until the dough starts to come together. If it seems to sticky add a little more flour. Dump out onto a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes just until it’s a smooth ball.

Place it back into a greased bowl and let sit covered with a towel for about 1-2 hours or until doubled in size.

While the dough is rising, in a small bowl mix together the orange zest, cinnamon and granulated sugar. Grease a 8×8 inch baking pan.

Once the dough is doubled, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick and a 10×15 inch rectangle. Spread the softened 6 tbsp of butter over the dough leaving a small boarder. Then generously sprinkle the orange cinnamon sugar over the butter. Then starting with the edge closest to you, carefully roll the dough into a log as tightly as possible. Try not to let too much sugar spill out. When you get to the edge pinch the dough together to seal it up. Then using a sharp knife cut the dough into 8-10 rolls. Place the rolls cut side up into the prepared baking pan, cover and let them rise for another 20-30 minutes, or in the fridge to rise overnight.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

While the oven is preheating make the frosting, in a medium bowl with an electric mixer. Blend the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Making sure to scrape down the sides. Then add in the sugar, orange juice and vanilla extract. Continue until it’s really whipped and smooth.

Bake the rolls for about 20-25 minutes until light golden brown. Serve warm with the orange cream cheese frosting on top!