Say hello to the kind of homemade treat that makes every brunch table a little brighter—these Orange Glazed Butterflake Rolls are soft, buttery layers brushed with citrus glaze that feel downright celebratory. Imagine peeling apart golden, tender rolls that fill the kitchen with a sweet, sunny aroma, and then biting into fluffy bread kissed by fresh orange zest. Whether you’re serving them for a special occasion or just jazzing up a weekend breakfast, these beauties never fail to get rave reviews. They’re part showstopper, part comfort food, and every bit worth the little bit of extra love in their preparation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe relies on a few straightforward, powerhouse ingredients, each playing a role in creating the tender texture and vibrant flavor of the Orange Glazed Butterflake Rolls. Don’t skip any—and I promise, together, they’ll deliver pure magic.
- All-purpose flour: The sturdy backbone of the dough, offering just enough structure for those beautiful butterflake layers.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough without overpowering the orange notes, giving a lightly sweet touch.
- Active dry yeast: For that lovely rise and airy interior—make sure your yeast is fresh for the best lift.
- Salt: Essential for balancing flavors and enhancing the natural sweetness of the bread and glaze.
- Whole milk: Adds richness and helps keep the rolls perfectly tender.
- Water: Combines with the milk to ensure the dough is soft but not dense.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Enriches the dough and adds that classic melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Large eggs: Give structure and a golden color to the finished rolls.
- Zest of 1 orange: The secret to the Orange Glazed Butterflake Rolls’ bright, citrusy fragrance and flavor.
- Unsalted butter (melted, for layering): Helps separate the dough flakes for that irresistible, pull-apart effect.
- Powdered sugar: The silky base for the perfectly pourable glaze.
- Freshly squeezed orange juice: Delivers the tangy punch that makes the glaze truly pop with fresh citrus flavor.
- Vanilla extract: Adds an aromatic warmth to the sweet glaze, rounding out every bite.
How to Make Orange Glazed Butterflake Rolls
Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Start by combining 1 ½ cups of the flour with the sugar, yeast, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Give it a good whisk—this blend sets the foundation for your dough, allowing the yeast and sugar to work their magic the moment moisture hits.
Step 2: Warm the Wet Ingredients
In a small saucepan, gently heat the milk, water, and softened butter until the mixture is just warm to the touch, about 110°F. Don’t let it get too hot or it may kill the yeast before the rolls get a chance to rise. Pour this cozy mixture over the dry ingredients for a head start on kneading.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Orange Zest
Crack in your eggs and add the fresh orange zest right into the bowl. Beat everything together until you have a buttery, citrus-scented base. The eggs create richness and help the dough form those signature layers, while the zest already hints at the treat to come.
Step 4: Knead the Dough
Gradually sprinkle in the remaining flour, forming a soft, slightly sticky dough that just comes together. Dust your counter with a little more flour and knead for 6 to 8 minutes, stretching and folding until the dough is smooth and bounces back when poked. It’s a mini arm workout, but so worth it for the final texture.
Step 5: Let the Dough Rise
Place your dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel or wrap, and set it somewhere cozy for about an hour. Watch as it plumps up, doubling in size—a sure sign your Orange Glazed Butterflake Rolls will bake up light and pillowy.
Step 6: Shape the Butterflake Layers
Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 even pieces. Roll each into a circle or oval, then brush generously with melted butter. Stack three to four pieces, overlap slightly, and fold in half before nestling each bundle vertically into a greased muffin tin. This trick is the secret to those wonderful, pull-apart layers.
Step 7: Final Rise
Cover the rolls once again and let them rise for 30 to 45 minutes. The stacks will puff up and fill the muffin cups, promising sky-high layers once they hit the oven.
Step 8: Bake and Glaze
Preheat to 375°F and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, watching for that gorgeous golden color. While they’re baking, whisk together powdered sugar, orange juice, and vanilla to create the glaze. As soon as the rolls emerge, drizzle the glaze over the warm rolls for glossy, citrusy perfection.
How to Serve Orange Glazed Butterflake Rolls
Garnishes
For an elegant finish, scatter a little extra orange zest or fine strips of candied orange peel on top while the glaze is still wet. A dusting of powdered sugar also looks beautiful and makes each roll look bakery-worthy.
Side Dishes
Orange Glazed Butterflake Rolls are fantastic on their own, but they love company! Serve them alongside a bright fruit salad, creamy scrambled eggs, or even a platter of smoked salmon to balance their sweet, citrusy notes. They shine at brunch buffets and pair wonderfully with a cup of coffee or fragrant tea.
Creative Ways to Present
Try arranging the finished rolls in a blooming circle on a cake stand for a centerpiece-worthy presentation, or serve in a rustic basket lined with a cheery napkin for a cozy, family-style vibe. For parties, you can even wrap individual rolls in parchment and tie with twine for a charming, portable treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftover Orange Glazed Butterflake Rolls (lucky you!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. The glaze helps keep them moist, but you can always add a fresh drizzle before serving to revive their shine.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze these rolls! Once cooled and unglazed, wrap each roll in plastic and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to two months. When you’re ready, let them thaw at room temperature, then glaze and warm as desired for that fresh-baked taste.
Reheating
To enjoy that just-baked feel, reheat your Orange Glazed Butterflake Rolls in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes, covered loosely with foil to prevent drying. For a quick fix, a microwave at low power for 10–15 seconds also works—just enough to make them soft and fragrant again.
FAQs
Can I make Orange Glazed Butterflake Rolls the night before?
Yes! Once you’ve shaped the rolls and placed them in the muffin tin, cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. Bring them to room temperature and let rise for about 30 minutes before baking as usual in the morning.
What’s the best way to zest the orange?
A microplane grater or fine zester works best, avoiding the bitter white pith. Zest directly over the bowl so every aromatic oil lands right in the dough—this is where the signature citrus flavor comes from.
Can I substitute instant yeast for active dry yeast?
Absolutely! Use the same amount of instant yeast. You can skip the initial activation step, but you’ll still want to warm your liquids for a smooth dough and proper rise.
Can these be made dairy-free?
Yes, simply use a rich, unsweetened plant-based milk and swap the butter for a high-quality vegan alternative. The rolls will still be wonderfully flavorful and just as fluffy.
Why are my rolls dense and not soft?
This often happens if the dough isn’t kneaded long enough, doesn’t rise fully, or if there’s too much flour added. Be gentle in measuring, knead until smooth, and don’t rush those rising times for the airiest Orange Glazed Butterflake Rolls.
Final Thoughts
There’s honestly nothing like a warm batch of Orange Glazed Butterflake Rolls to make everyone feel at home. Their buttery layers, citrus aroma, and sweet, glossy finish make any day feel special. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try and share it with friends and family—they’re sure to disappear faster than you can bake a second batch!
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Orange Glazed Butterflake Rolls Recipe
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 rolls
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Orange Glazed Butterflake Rolls are a delightful sweet treat perfect for brunch or a special holiday breakfast. Soft, buttery rolls with a hint of orange zest, topped with a sweet orange glaze, make for a deliciously indulgent pastry.
Ingredients
Dough:
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup whole milk
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
2 large eggs
zest of 1 orange
For Layering:
1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
Orange Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
2–3 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of the flour with sugar, yeast, and salt.
- Assembly: Punch down the dough and divide into 12 equal portions.
- Baking: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake rolls for 12–15 minutes until golden brown.
- Glaze: While rolls bake, whisk powdered sugar, orange juice, and vanilla to make the glaze.
In a small saucepan, warm the milk, water, and softened butter until just warm (about 110°F).
Add the warm liquid to the dry ingredients and mix until combined.
Beat in eggs and orange zest, then gradually add remaining flour to form a soft dough.
Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
Roll each portion into a small circle or oval, brush with melted butter, and stack 3–4 pieces slightly overlapping.
Fold the stack in half and place vertically into a greased muffin tin.
Repeat with remaining dough.
Cover and let rise again for 30–45 minutes.
Drizzle glaze over warm rolls before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add 1/2 tsp orange extract to the glaze.
- These rolls are best enjoyed warm but can be reheated in a low oven.
- Dough can be prepared ahead and refrigerated overnight.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
