Homemade Orange Cinnamon Rolls

This year is all about inspiration-and there is nothing more 'inspiring' for me, then turning up the volume on an existing recipe-and making it even yummier!!



Which is exactly what I did Tuesday morning-when I made a simple-yet VERY delicious change to my homemade cinnamon roll recipe!!!

Now don't get me wrong.  There was absolutely nothing wrong with the original recipe for these fluffy-gooey sweet rolls, that have become a family favorite for breakfast/brunch.

But even the BEST sweet roll recipe-can become a tad 'boring' after awhile-right?  So why not add a little 'zest'-and bring that recipe to a whole new level?

Of course-there may have been another reason why I decided to amp up my original recipe....

Um....like the fact that hubby bought a whole passel of oranges while I was sick-and I was running out of ways to use them up!!!  I mean-come on-I can only drink so much fresh squeezed orange juice!

Oh well-regardless of the reason for my inspiration-I acted upon it-and I'm so glad I did.  These puffy, zingy, sweet rolls, are definitely worth the effort-and once you make them-I guarantee you will never buy a canned sweet roll EVER again!!!

Orange Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients:

Dough:

• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 cup butter
• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 envelope‘rapid rise’ yeast (approx. 2 1/4 tsp)
• 1 egg

Filling:

• 1/2 cup white sugar
•  1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 2 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon
• 1/2 cup softened butter (1 stick)
• 1 tsp orange zest

Icing:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1-2 tablespoon orange juice (I used fresh squeezed)
• 1 tsp orange zest

Preheat oven to 350.

Directions for dough:

Combine milk and butter in a glass measuring cup (or a microwave-safe bowl.) Microwave for 1 min.  Remove and stir.  Repeat for 20 seconds, or until butter is melted and milk is warm to the touch.  (Not hot!!). Combine flour (3 cups), sugar and salt, in a large mixing bowl.Pour contents of yeast packet into bowl of stand mixer.  Add milk mixture, and stir until combined.

 Add flour mixture and egg.  Using dough hook attachment-begin mixing on low speed until combined-and then medium speed for 1 minute.  If dough sticks to the side of bowl-add remaining 1/4 cup of flour.  Mix on medium speed for 5 min.  Cover dough and let sit for 10 minutes.

Directions for filling:
Combine sugars, cinnamon, and orange zest in a medium bowl. Mix well.  Set aside.

 Prepare surface for rolling with flour.  Lay dough onto floured surface and roll into 15"x10" rectangle. Spread the 1/2 cup butter evenly across the dough.  Pour filling on top-spreading evenly.

Beginning at the long end (15') tightly roll dough-pinching ends at the seam to ensure all that sweet goodness doesn't fall out!

Cut rolled dough into 12 cinnamon rolls.

Place rolls into a greased 9x13 pan. Cover rolls and place in a warm location for 25 minutes to rise.

Bake rolls in 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes-or until golden brown. 

Directions for icing:

Combine powdered sugar, butter, orange zest, vanilla, and  1 tablespoon orange juice.  Beat until smooth.  If icing is to thick for your taste-you can add remaining orange juice.  Drizzle icing over warm rolls and enjoy!!!!

I will be linking up to these amazing parties today-so stop on over and be inspired!!!

Katherine's Corner
 Jann Olson

Blessings,

Christine