Easy Overnight Orange Rolls (Printable)

Fluffy, tender rolls bursting with fresh orange zest and a zesty glaze, made with an overnight rise.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 1/4 teaspoons instant dry yeast
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 3/4 cup whole milk, lukewarm
06 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
07 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
08 - Zest of 2 large oranges

→ Filling

09 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
11 - Zest of 1 large orange

→ Glaze

12 - 1 cup powdered sugar
13 - 2 to 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
14 - 1 teaspoon orange zest

# Preparation Steps:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, instant dry yeast, and salt until evenly distributed.
02 - In a separate bowl, combine lukewarm milk, melted butter, eggs, and orange zest until well combined.
03 - Add the wet ingredient mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until a sticky dough forms.
04 - Knead by hand or with a stand mixer using the dough hook attachment for 7 to 8 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
05 - Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and allow to rise in a warm location for 1 to 2 hours until the volume has doubled.
06 - Punch down the dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a 10 by 16 inch rectangle.
07 - Spread softened butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle with granulated sugar and orange zest.
08 - Starting from the longer edge, roll up the dough tightly and cut into 12 even rolls using a sharp knife or dental floss.
09 - Place the rolls in a greased 9 by 13 inch baking dish in a single layer. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
10 - In the morning, remove the rolls from the refrigerator and allow them to sit at room temperature for 45 to 60 minutes until noticeably puffy.
11 - Set oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and allow to fully preheat.
12 - Bake the rolls for 22 to 25 minutes until the tops turn golden brown.
13 - While the rolls bake, whisk together powdered sugar, fresh orange juice, and orange zest in a small bowl until the mixture reaches a smooth consistency.
14 - Drizzle the prepared glaze over the warm rolls immediately after removing them from the oven and serve.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The whole overnight thing means you actually get to sleep instead of waking up at 5 a.m. to tend dough.
  • Fresh orange zest transforms ordinary rolls into something that tastes like a bakery decided to move into your kitchen.
  • Twelve rolls means enough for guests, enough for freezing, enough for those moments when you just want two with your coffee.
02 -
  • If your rolls are dense instead of fluffy, your yeast was likely dead or the milk was too hot—always test yeast in a tiny bit of warm water first, and it should bubble within five minutes.
  • Overnight rising in the fridge isn't just a convenience hack; it's where the flavor develops, so don't skip it even if you're tempted.
  • Room temperature matters more than you think—cold eggs and cold dough resist each other, so plan ahead or let ingredients sit out for thirty minutes.
03 -
  • If your kitchen is cold, turn your oven on for thirty seconds, then turn it off—that little warmth helps the dough rise faster and more reliably.
  • Dental floss cuts rolls without dragging or squishing, making twelve even pieces that bake uniformly.
  • You can freeze unbaked rolls in the baking dish for up to three weeks—just thaw and let them come to room temperature before baking.
Return