Fresh orange zest and warm ground cardamom transform soft, buttery dough into an unforgettable morning pastry. These sweet yeast rolls feature a bright citrus glaze that melts right into the tops while they're still warm from the oven. You'll love how the fragrant spices balance the sweet citrus, making them a standout addition to any weekend brunch or holiday breakfast spread.
Prep
3 hr 20 min
Cook
25 min
Total
3 hr 45 min
Servings
12
Course
Lunch
Ingredients
1 (2¼-oz.) pkg. instant dry yeast
3 Tbsp. warm water (100°F to 110°F)
10.13 oz. (about 2¼ cups) plus 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour, plus more for surface
½ tsp. salt
¼ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup whole milk
1¼ tsp. vanilla extract, divided
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
5 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened, divided
⅓ cup packed brown sugar
1 Tbsp. grated orange zest, divided
1 tsp. ground cardamom
¾ cup powdered sugar
2 to 3 tsp. fresh orange juice
Instructions
1Combine the yeast and 3 tablespoons of warm water in a small bowl. Let it sit for 10 minutes until it becomes foamy.
2Lightly spoon the flour into dry measuring cups and level with a knife. Whisk the flour and salt together in a medium bowl.
3Beat the granulated sugar, milk, 1 teaspoon of the vanilla extract, egg, and egg yolk in a large bowl on medium-low speed until blended. Stir in the foamy yeast mixture.
4Add half of the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Beat on low speed for about 2 minutes until incorporated.
5Add the remaining flour mixture and beat on low speed for 5 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally.
6Add 4 tablespoons of the softened butter, one tablespoon at a time, beating well after each addition. Dust a work surface with flour and scrape the sticky dough out.
7Knead the dough for 3 to 4 minutes until it feels smooth and elastic. Kneading develops the gluten so the rolls hold their shape. Form it into a ball and place it in a large, lightly greased bowl, turning to coat the surface.
8Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place at 85°F for 2 hours.
9Stir the brown sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons of the orange zest, and the ground cardamom together in a small bowl.
10Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Gently pat it into a 12-by-8-inch rectangle and brush with the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Sprinkle evenly with the brown sugar mixture.
11Starting from one long side, roll the dough tightly like a jelly roll. Pinch the long seam to seal it, leaving the ends unsealed, and cut the log into 12 one-inch slices.
12Arrange the slices in greased muffin cups. Cover with lightly greased plastic wrap and let them rise for 45 minutes.
13Preheat the oven to 350°F.
14Uncover the rolls and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes before removing. The residual heat helps set the centers.
15Whisk the powdered sugar, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla, the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons of orange zest, and 2 teaspoons of the fresh orange juice in a small bowl until smooth.
16Stir in additional orange juice a few drops at a time if the glaze is too stiff to spread. Spread the glaze evenly over the warm rolls.
Notes
Scaling: To bake a second batch, double the dough in a large bowl. Divide the dough in half and place in separate bowls to rise.
Equipment swap: If you don't have enough muffin tins for 24 rolls, bake a 12-roll batch in an 8-inch square glass or ceramic baking dish, increasing the bake time to 20 to 23 minutes.
Storage: Keep leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Warm individual rolls in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds to soften the dough and melt the glaze slightly.