Name: Sweet Glazed Orange Rolls Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 3 h 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour, or as needed; ¼ cup granulated sugar; 2 ¼ teaspoons instant dry yeast (one 1/4-ounce packet, Red Star Platinum recommended); Pinch salt, to taste; ½ cup unsalted butter, melted (1 stick); ½ cup buttermilk; 2 large eggs, lightly whisked; 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, very soft (3/4 of 1 stick); about 1 cup orange marmalade; ½ cup light brown sugar, packed; ¼ cup orange juice; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (orange extract may be substituted); 2 cups confectioners’ sugar; Pinch salt, optional and to taste; about 3 tablespoons milk or cream, as needed for consistency; 3 teaspoons orange zest, divided

Nothing quite beats the sensation of warm, citrusy comfort on a morning when you need a little sunshine indoors. The Sweet Glazed Orange Rolls Recipe I’m sharing today is exactly that — soft, buttery rolls kissed with bright orange marmalade and finished with a glossy citrus glaze that’s impossible to resist. Trust me, these rolls will fill your kitchen with the most delightful aroma and become your new favorite brunch treat.

The image shows a single cinnamon roll with a glaze on top, placed on a white plate. The roll is light brown with a shiny, sticky orange glaze that drips down the sides. The roll has a spiral shape with visible layers of dough and glaze. Around the plate, there are small crumbs and bits of glaze. In the background, there is a white bowl with more orange glaze and a slice of orange resting on its rim. A silver fork with some pieces of the cinnamon roll is partially visible to the left. The surface underneath the plate is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Sweet Glazed Orange Rolls Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Sweet Glazed Orange Rolls Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Sweet Glazed Orange Rolls Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the very first time I made these sweet orange rolls; the smell alone had my entire family wandering into the kitchen almost hypnotically. What makes this Sweet Glazed Orange Rolls Recipe stand out isn’t just the flavor but how it balances a tender, fluffy dough with a luscious, tangy glaze that’s just the right amount of sweet.

Bright and Fresh Flavor: The orange marmalade and zest shine through beautifully, giving you that fresh, vibrant citrus burst in every bite.
Soft yet Structured Dough: The enriched dough with buttermilk and butter stays fluffy but isn't overly dense or heavy, making it perfect for morning or afternoon treats.
Easy to Customize: Whether you want more marmalade or a different glaze twist, this recipe is flexible enough to suit your taste without gimmicks.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare the rolls the night before, refrigerate, and then bake fresh in the morning — total game-changer for busy weekends.

This image shows a baking tray lined with foil, filled with nine golden orange rolls arranged in three rows of three. Each roll has a smooth, shiny glaze, making the spirals of dough distinct, with a slightly sticky texture. The rolls have a soft, fluffy look under the glaze, and small bits of orange zest are visible on top, adding a speckled texture and bright color contrast. The tray is set on a white marbled surface with slices of fresh orange nearby, adding fresh and vibrant color to the scene. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients in this Sweet Glazed Orange Rolls Recipe come together perfectly to create a balance of richness, sweetness, and tart citrus notes. Each component plays a part — from the tender, enriched dough to the sweet, sticky filling and shiny glaze that finishes everything off.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl filled with granulated sugar, a pinch of fine salt on the white marble, two whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white ceramic bowl holding melted unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl of warm buttermilk, a small white ceramic bowl of orange marmalade, a small white ceramic bowl packed with light brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl containing fresh orange juice, a small white ceramic bowl filled with vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl of fine confectioners’ sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with fresh milk or cream, and fresh orange zest arranged neatly on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All-purpose flour: The foundation for your rolls; it provides just enough structure while remaining tender enough to create that soft crumb.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness to the dough and helps activate the yeast.
Instant dry yeast: I use Red Star Platinum for its reliable rise and flavor, but any good-quality instant yeast will work.
Salt: Enhances flavor and balances the sweetness, don’t skip it!
Unsalted butter (melted and soft): Adds richness to the dough and also in the filling for that melt-in-your-mouth quality.
Buttermilk: Makes the dough tender and adds a subtle tang; warming it properly ensures your yeast wakes up happily.
Eggs: Build structure and give softness, plus a lovely golden color.
Orange marmalade: The star glaze filling that imparts intense citrus flavor and a bit of sticky sweetness.
Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and caramel notes to the filling.
Orange juice, vanilla extract, and orange zest: Make up the glaze — bright, fresh, and glossy. The zest is a little punch of concentrated orange essential oils that amplifies the flavor beautifully.
Confectioners’ sugar: Creates the smooth glaze texture.
Milk or cream: Adjusts glaze consistency so it’s not too thick or runny.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love shaking up small bits of this recipe to keep it interesting and tailor it to my mood. You can tweak the filling by swapping marmalade for fresh orange curd, or add chopped toasted nuts for crunch. Honestly, it’s a playground for orange lovers.

Variation: Once, during a cozy fall morning, I tossed in a teaspoon of fresh ginger with the brown sugar filling — it gave the rolls a warming spice that paired beautifully with the orange.
Dairy-Free Swap: Try coconut milk or almond milk instead of buttermilk, and use a vegan butter alternative; the texture changes slightly but still delicious.
Gluten-Free Version: I experimented using a cup or two of gluten-free flour blends; the rolls are just as soft but require a little extra kneading — still well worth trying!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Sweet Glazed Orange Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Wake Up the Dough

Start by combining the dry ingredients in your mixer bowl: flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Meanwhile, melt your butter gently and mix it into warm buttermilk (remember, keep it just warm enough so you don’t kill the yeast!). Pour this liquid gold into your dry mix, add lightly whisked eggs, and let your machine knead on low for 5 to 7 minutes. The dough should come together but still feel slightly soft and tacky. If it’s too wet, add flour sparingly; too dry, drizzle a little more buttermilk.

Step 2: The Patient Rise

Pop your dough into an oiled bowl, turn it over so both sides get a light coating of oil, and cover tightly with plastic wrap. The magic happens best in a warm space—my trick is a preheated oven (turned off!) which gives the perfect gentle warmth. After about 2 to 2 ½ hours, your dough should double in size, promising soft, airy rolls.

Step 3: Roll, Spread & Sugar

Roll your dough out to roughly 26 x 13 inches on a floured surface. Spread the softened butter all over, leaving a small margin around the edges, then layer on orange marmalade evenly but not too thickly so you avoid leaks. Sprinkle brown sugar on top and lightly press it down so it sticks well with the butter and marmalade.

Step 4: Roll Up and Slice

Roll the dough starting from the long edge into a tight log, seam side down. To slice perfectly even rolls, mark hash lines about 1 to 1.5 inches apart. Here’s a trick I swear by: use plain unwaxed dental floss to slice through the log—it cuts cleanly without squashing your delicate dough.

Step 5: Final Rise & Bake

Arrange your rolls in a prepared pan, cover with plastic, and let them rise again for about an hour until nearly doubled. Bake at 375°F for 15 minutes or until the tops are just lightly golden—watch them closely here, even a minute too long can dry them out.

Step 6: Drizzle the Glaze

Whisk together orange juice, vanilla extract, confectioners’ sugar, a pinch of salt, and milk to get a smooth thick glaze. Stir in most of your reserved orange zest, then pour it over the baked, warm rolls. Sprinkle the last bit of zest on top for a fresh pop of color and flavor. Serve right away for best taste.

Top Tip

From my many tries with this recipe, a few tricks help guarantee your rolls come out soft, perfectly risen, and beautifully glazed every time.

Perfect Butter Temperature: Make sure your melted butter in the buttermilk isn’t hot—around 110-130°F is just right to activate yeast without killing it.
Use Dental Floss to Slice: It sounds funny, but floss slices through sticky rolled dough without crushing the delicate layers.
Warm Rising Spot: If your kitchen’s cold, create a warm nook by turning your oven to 400°F for a minute, then turning it off and placing your dough inside.
Watch the Bake: Ovens vary! Check your rolls a minute or two before time’s up to avoid drying out your buttery orange rolls.

How to Serve Sweet Glazed Orange Rolls Recipe

Garnishes

I like keeping things simple with just a sprinkle of fresh orange zest on top to emphasize that citrus zing. Sometimes, I add a few fresh mint leaves for color or even a dusting of powdered sugar for a snow-like finish — perfect for holiday brunch.

Side Dishes

Pair these orange rolls with a lightly brewed black tea or a creamy latte. On the plate, fresh fruit or a citrusy yogurt parfait complements the brightness of the rolls exceptionally well.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive brunch, arrange the rolls on a wooden board with edible flowers and small bowls of marmalade and cream cheese spread. I’ve also built a “orange roll tower” for birthday mornings — stack them gently on a tiered cake stand for an impressive yet cozy look.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover rolls stored in an airtight container at room temperature stay soft and flavorful up to four days. Just pop them in the microwave for 5 to 10 seconds before eating to bring back that fresh-baked warmth.

Freezing

I always bake my orange rolls completely and then freeze them individually wrapped for up to 6 months. When I want a treat, I thaw them overnight on the counter and drizzle fresh glaze right before serving. This keeps the rolls as fresh as day one — no soggy bottoms here!

Reheating

To reheat, I gently microwave the rolls for about 10 seconds or warm them in a low oven (300°F for 5-7 minutes) wrapped in foil to keep them soft without drying out. Add a little extra glaze after reheating if you want that fresh-from-the-oven shine.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Sweet Glazed Orange Rolls Recipe dairy-free?

Absolutely! Substitute regular butter with vegan or dairy-free alternatives, and swap buttermilk with coconut or almond milk mixed with a bit of lemon juice or vinegar to mimic the tang. The texture might vary slightly but the flavor stays bright and delicious.

How do I store and reheat leftover orange rolls?

Store the rolls airtight at room temperature for up to four days. To reheat, warm in the microwave for about 5-10 seconds or in a 300°F oven wrapped in foil for 5-7 minutes. Add fresh glaze after reheating if desired.

Can I prepare these rolls ahead of time?

Yes! After slicing and arranging the rolls in the pan, skip the final rise and cover them tightly. Refrigerate overnight (up to 16 hours) and let come back to room temperature for their final rise before baking. It’s a great time-saver for busy mornings.

What’s the best way to slice the rolls without squishing them?

Using plain, unwaxed dental floss to slice your rolled dough is the key. It glides smoothly without compressing the layers, keeping your rolls airy and beautiful after baking.

Final Thoughts

This Sweet Glazed Orange Rolls Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s not just about the finished rolls but about the whole process — the smells, the anticipation during rising, and the joy of sharing a warm batch with friends and family. I’m genuinely excited for you to try it and savor that citrusy soft goodness fresh out of your oven. It’s comfort and brightness all at once.