Name: Orange Knotted Sweet Rolls Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 Tablespoons granulated sugar divided; 2 Tablespoons active dry yeast; 1/2 cup warm water; 1 1/3 cups whole milk scalded; 2 large eggs; 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; 1 Tablespoon orange zest (from 1 orange); 5 cups all-purpose flour (625g); 1/2 cup salted butter softened; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 2 Tablespoons orange zest (from 2 oranges); 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar; 1 Tablespoon orange zest; 2-3 Tablespoons orange juice

There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked orange sweet rolls filling your kitchen, and that’s exactly what you get with this Orange Knotted Sweet Rolls Recipe. These little knotted beauties are soft, tangy, and utterly addictive—the perfect way to brighten your morning or impress guests at brunch.

The image shows several small, twisted pastries with a light golden-brown crust and a shiny white glaze on top. Each pastry looks soft and layered, with some areas showing slightly darker spots from baking. The pastries are placed on white parchment paper over a white marbled surface. Around the pastries, there are bright orange fruit slices and wedges adding a fresh and colorful contrast. One pastry is gently held by a woman's hand on the side of the image. 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 Orange Knotted Sweet Rolls Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Orange Knotted Sweet Rolls Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Orange Knotted Sweet Rolls Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I honestly can't get enough of these rolls. What makes this Orange Knotted Sweet Rolls Recipe stand out is not just the bright citrus flavor but the knotted shape—it's fun to make and looks so charming on a platter. Plus, they stay soft and flavorful for days.

Bright, Fresh Flavor: The orange zest and juice really wake up the dough with a subtle citrus sweetness.
Fun and Unique Shape: The knotted design gives these rolls personality and makes them great for gatherings.
Soft, Tender Texture: Thanks to a rich dough and just the right rise time, these rolls are incredibly pillowy.
Versatility: Great for breakfast, brunch, or even an afternoon treat with coffee or tea.

A tray of eight golden-brown twisted buns sits on a silver baking sheet with a white marbled surface below, each bun showing layers of soft dough spiraled together with a slightly browned outer crust. A woman's hand holds a spoon above the closest bun, pouring a smooth, white glaze that drizzles slowly onto the top swirl, creating a glossy drop that contrasts with the textured baked dough. In the background, two bright orange fruits add a pop of vibrant color against the light, soft-focus backdrop. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe blends classic bread ingredients with fresh orange zest to create a sweet dough that’s both tender and flavorful. Using scalded milk really helps tenderize the gluten for a softer crumb, while the yeast gives you a lovely rise. Here are some notes on the key ingredients:

Flat lay of a small pile of bright fresh orange zest strands, two large brown eggs with clean shells, a small mound of fine granulated sugar, a small mound of powdered sugar, a half cup of softened golden salted butter shaped softly, a small white ceramic bowl filled with warm water, a small white ceramic bowl with steamy whole milk, a neat heap of pale all-purpose flour, and a small white ceramic bowl of freshly squeezed orange juice placed 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

Active dry yeast: Essential for that perfect rise and light texture—make sure to proof it until foamy for best results.
Whole milk: Scalding the milk softens the protein structure, which gives you those soft, tender rolls you want.
Orange zest: You’ll love how the bright zest infuses the dough and filling, layering in fresh citrus notes.
All-purpose flour: Five cups give structure to the dough while remaining soft enough to knot easily.
Granulated sugar: Divided between dough and filling, it balances the citrus brightness without overwhelming it.
Salt: Just enough to enhance flavor without dulling the sweetness and citrus zing.
Butter: Used softened in the filling for richness and moisture, making the interior luxuriously soft.
Powdered sugar and orange juice: For the glaze—a tangy-sweet finish that seals the deal.

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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 how this Orange Knotted Sweet Rolls Recipe lets you play around a bit with the shaping and filling. Sometimes I add a touch of ground cinnamon to the sugar filling for warmth, or swap out some orange zest for lemon zest if I want a slightly sharper zing. Feel free to make the recipe your own!

Variation: I once tried dipping the dough strips in melted butter instead of spreading softened butter before sprinkling sugar—this gave a richer, butterier flavor but the knots were a bit trickier to handle. Both methods work beautifully!

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

Step 1: Proof and Prep

Start by mixing warm water with 2 tablespoons of sugar and your yeast. Let it sit for about five minutes until it’s bubbly and fragrant—that’s how you know the yeast is alive and ready. Meanwhile, heat your milk gently until you see small bubbles at the edges—this scalds it, which is a trick to keep the rolls soft.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

Once your yeast proof is ready, stir in the remaining sugar and salt. Add the eggs, cooled milk, 2 cups of flour, and your orange zest. Beat this mixture until smooth with a paddle attachment or by hand—it should take around 2 minutes.

Step 3: Knead & Rise

Switch to your dough hook or knead by hand, adding the remaining flour gradually until the dough is soft, smooth, and elastic. It should pull away from the bowl easily after about 5 minutes. Pop it in a greased bowl, cover tightly, and let it double in size — usually about an hour.

Step 4: Shape the Knots

Roll your dough into a large rectangle. Spread softened butter evenly across the top, then sprinkle with sugar and extra orange zest to add that lovely sweetness and zing inside the rolls. Fold one side of the dough about ⅓ in, then fold the other side over it—kind of like folding a letter. Use a pizza cutter to slice 16 to 20 strips about 1 inch wide.

Here comes the fun part! Take each strip and form a loop by crossing the ends over. Push one end through the loop to create a knot, then place it on your baking sheet. Cover loosely and let these beauties rise again for 30 minutes.

Step 5: Bake & Glaze

Bake your rolls in a 400°F oven for about 8 to 10 minutes, until they’re a soft golden brown on top. While they’re baking, whisk together powdered sugar, orange zest, and enough orange juice to create a smooth glaze. As soon as your rolls come out, brush or drizzle the glaze generously over them. Wait at least 30 minutes for it to set—you’re in for a treat!

Top Tip

Having baked these rolls many times, I’ve learned that the little details make a big difference. These tips will help you get the best results every time.

Proof Your Yeast Properly: If your yeast doesn't foam up, it's dead and won’t leaven your dough—start over with fresh yeast to avoid flat rolls.
Don’t Skip Scalding Milk: It keeps the rolls soft and tender, and also improves the dough’s rise.
Keep Dough Slightly Sticky: Resist the urge to add too much flour; dough that’s too stiff won’t knot nicely or produce tender rolls.
Let Glaze Set Properly: Give at least 30 minutes after glazing so you get that perfect, slightly sticky finish without it sliding off.

How to Serve Orange Knotted Sweet Rolls Recipe

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a little extra fresh orange zest right on top after glazing—it adds a fresh pop of color and aroma. Sometimes, a dusting of finely chopped toasted pecans gives a delightful crunch contrast that’s unexpected but so good.

Side Dishes

These rolls pair beautifully with a hot cup of coffee, strong black tea, or even a chilled glass of fresh orange juice. For brunch, I often serve them alongside scrambled eggs or a creamy ricotta and fruit salad—it balances the sweetness nicely.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve arranged these knotted rolls in a circle on a large serving platter to create a wreath shape, perfect for holiday breakfasts or baby showers. You can even tuck some edible flowers or fresh mint sprigs in between for an elegant touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

These sweet rolls stay soft best when stored in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to two days. If they start to firm up, a short reheat does wonders to bring back that fresh-baked feel.

Freezing

I usually freeze them unglazed after baking—just wrap each roll individually with plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. When I'm ready, I thaw them on the counter and add the glaze fresh; this keeps the texture perfect.

Reheating

To warm leftovers, pop the rolls on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes. This nicely revives their softness without drying them out. Avoid microwaving if you can—it tends to make them gummy or tough.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes! You can substitute instant yeast for active dry yeast, but reduce the amount slightly (use about 1 ½ teaspoons). You can mix it directly with the flour instead of proofing it in water. Just keep an eye on the dough rising times, as instant yeast can act faster.

Is it okay to use orange extract instead of fresh zest?

Fresh orange zest is best because it adds both flavor and natural oils for that bright aroma and taste. If you don’t have fresh oranges, a small amount of orange extract can work, but use sparingly so it doesn’t overpower the dough.

Can I make these rolls vegan?

To make a vegan version, substitute the milk with a plant-based milk like almond or oat milk, replace butter with vegan margarine or coconut oil, and use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water) instead of eggs. Keep in mind, texture and flavor may vary slightly but they’ll still be delicious!

How long do these rolls stay fresh?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these sweet rolls stay fresh for up to two days. For longer storage, freezing is your best bet as mentioned above.

Final Thoughts

These Orange Knotted Sweet Rolls are such a delightful blend of flavor, texture, and charm. I’ve made them for everything from lazy weekend breakfasts to festive brunches, and each time they bring smiles around the kitchen table. Give this recipe a go—you’ll find it’s easier than it looks, and the orange aroma alone makes it totally worth the effort. Enjoy these rolls fresh, share with friends, and savor a little sunshine in every bite.