Homemade Orange Sweet Rolls with Fresh Milled Flour

We love cinnamon rolls and I find myself making them quite often, however, recently I decided to try orange rolls. Let me tell you, these orange sweet rolls made with fresh milled flour were a huge hit! We devoured them and I plan on making them quite often!

*This post contains affiliate links. I may make a small commission at no cost to you on sales*

Sometimes I feel like we need something sweet after dinner. It doesn’t happen every day or even every week, but it’s a craving we have occasionally.

When we have these cravings, it’s important to me to be able to make a wholesome, healthy, yet very delicious treat.

My husband and I love oranges and will often have one in the late evenings as a snack, so, the idea of orange sweet rolls was the perfect fit for us!

These orange sweet rolls would make the perfect Christmas morning breakfast. You can make ahead the day before and enjoy with a cup of coffee in the morning.

I don’t like fussy foods or spending hours preparing delicious food. I prefer to have a few easy recipes that I can transform into something else.

For these rolls, I used a basic bread recipe instead of a special recipe for the rolls.

This makes it super simple to whip up special dishes without taking so much time coming up with a recipe.

As you may know, I mill all of my own wheat for our bread products. I enjoy the process and know that it is the most healthy bread we can eat!

To make this recipe you will need

Flour

For this recipe I used freshly milled hard white wheat. This is the grain mill I have used for years: https://collabs.shop/rxide2

If you are brand new to milling your own wheat berries for flour, read this post: https://therosehomestead.com/using-freshly-milled-flour-in-your-kitchen/

While you can make these with all purpose flour or bread flour, I highly recommend trying them with fresh flour as the flavor is unmatched!

Water

For best results, use filtered water. Tap water often contains chlorine which may inhibit the yeast activating fully. Well water works fine.

Instant Yeast

I prefer instant yeast as it doesn’t require proofing before adding to recipes. If using active dry yeast, first proof the yeast in a small bowl with 1/4 cup of warm water for 5-10 minutes or until foamy. Add to recipe and deduct the 1/4 of water for the recipe.

Honey

I use raw honey. You can substitute maple syrup or Agave syrup.

Olive Oil

Use an organic extra virgin olive oil if possible. You can substitute with melted butter, melted coconut oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil.

Salt

Softened Butter

Use just enough softened butter to spread over the rectangle of dough before filling and rolling back up.

Orange (zest and juice)

Vanilla Extract

Sugar (for the filling)

I prefer to use an organic raw cane sugar in my baking. Brown sugar would also work very well.

Cream Cheese (for the icing)

Maple Syrup (for the icing)

For full ingredient amounts, see recipe card below

Step by Step Instructions for making Orange Sweet Rolls with freshly milled flour

Making the dough

To start, we need to make the basic bread portion of the recipe.

Add the warm water to the mixing bowl of a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment. Pour in the honey, oil, and salt.

This is the stand mixer I use and highly recommend: https://collabs.shop/xmipvy

Add 3 cups of the flour and mix until combined. Add the yeast and turn the mixer back on. I use speed 2.

Add the remaining flour until a soft dough forms and allow to knead for 10 minutes or until the dough is one cohesive ball.

*You may mix this in a large bowl and knead by hand as well with great results*

Letting the dough rise

Allow to rise at room temperature in a lightly greased bowl, covered with plastic wrap, for 1-2 hours or until doubled. This is the first rise.

If your kitchen is particularly cool, find a warm place for the dough to rise.

Shaping the rolls

Turn your dough onto a lightly floured surface. Roll dough out into a large rectangle 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick using a rolling pin on your work surface.

Spread the dough with softened butter, enough to cover the entire rectangle.

Sprinkle 3 tablespoons of raw cane sugar evenly over the butter. Grate the zest of one orange and sprinkle evenly over the sugar and butter.

Roll up the dough from the long side. Pinch the ends closed.

Cut the dough into rounds with a dough scraper or use dental floss to cut through the dough. Cut them as thin or as thick as you prefer. I cut mine about 3 inches size.

Preheat oven and let rolls rise for second time

Prepare a baking sheet and put the rolls on the baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise while you preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Baking the Rolls

Place the rolls in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

To Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

While the rolls are baking, place 1 package of softened cream cheese, the maple syrup, the fresh orange juice, and the vanilla extract to a large mixing bowl. Using an immersion blender, blend until smooth.

Allow the rolls to cool and ice them with the cream cheese icing.

If you are looking for a recipe for homemade cinnamon rolls, try this sourdough version: https://therosehomestead.com/the-easiest-sourdough-cinnamon-rolls/

Storage Tips

Store in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3 days.