Name: Orange Sweet Rolls with Knotted Design Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 30 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

Nothing quite beats the fresh warmth and zesty aroma of homemade orange-infused rolls. This Orange Sweet Rolls with Knotted Design Recipe brings a cheerful twist to breakfast or brunch, with its fluffy texture, bright citrus flavor, and that charming knotted look that feels like a little handmade gift. You’ll love the way they smell as they bake and how every bite is just a perfect balance of sweet, buttery, and bright.

The image shows several small twisted pastries with a golden brown color and a shiny, slightly translucent glaze on top. Each pastry has a soft, slightly puffy texture with visible layers twisted together. Around the pastries are fresh orange slices with bright orange flesh and a smooth white marbled surface underneath them. The pastries and orange slices are arranged casually, filling the frame naturally. 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 Sweet Rolls with Knotted Design Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Orange Sweet Rolls with Knotted Design Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Orange Sweet Rolls with Knotted Design Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Orange Sweet Rolls with Knotted Design Recipe is one of those recipes I return to because it’s both impressive and surprisingly manageable. It’s perfect for when you want bakery-worthy rolls at home but also crave something a little different—thanks to that bright orange flavor and the fun knotted shape.

Unique Shape: The knotted design makes each roll a little work of art and a conversation starter at the table.
Citrus Brightness: Orange zest and juice brighten the flavor, making these rolls refreshingly different from your regular sweet bread.
Soft, Buttery Texture: The dough is enriched with eggs and milk for softness, while the butter and sugar filling adds a melt-in-your-mouth quality.
Make-Ahead Friendly: These rolls freeze beautifully and reheat well, so you can bake in advance for busy mornings or special occasions.

A baking tray with nine light golden brown twisted rolls that have a soft, fluffy texture with visible layers of dough spiraled into each roll. A woman's hand is holding a spoon overhead, pouring a smooth, white glaze onto the closest roll, which is centered in the front of the tray. The shiny glaze drips slowly onto the warm roll, highlighting its delicate folds. In the background, two whole bright orange oranges rest slightly out of focus on a white marbled surface, adding a pop of color to the soft, neutral tones of the rolls and tray. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients in this recipe work harmoniously to create a dough that’s both tender and easy to shape, with layers of fresh orange flavor throughout. Make sure to pick fresh oranges with vibrant zest and fresh yeast to get the best rise.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of warm water, a small white ceramic bowl with active dry yeast granules, two whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of orange juice, a fresh whole orange next to a small pile of bright orange zest, a half cup of salted butter cut into small cubes on a white ceramic plate, a mound of all-purpose flour on a simple white ceramic plate, and a pinch of salt in a tiny white ceramic bowl, all arranged with perfect symmetry 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

Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and feeds the yeast, helping the dough rise beautifully.
Active dry yeast: Vital for the dough to rise and get that light, fluffy crumb.
Warm water: Helps activate the yeast—don’t make it too hot or you’ll kill the yeast.
Whole milk: Scalded milk adds richness and improves the dough’s softness.
Eggs: Enrich the dough, adding moisture, structure, and tenderness.
Salt: Balances sweetness and strengthens gluten structure.
Orange zest: Infuses the rolls with bright, fresh citrus flavor; make sure to zest only the colored part to avoid bitterness.
All-purpose flour: Provides structure; measure carefully for consistent dough texture.
Salted butter: Used in the filling for richness and moisture inside the rolls.
Powdered sugar and orange juice: Create a glossy, flavorful glaze that ties the whole roll together perfectly.

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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

One of my favorite things about the Orange Sweet Rolls with Knotted Design Recipe is how easily you can tweak it to suit your mood or pantry. Whether you want them extra sweet, more citrusy, or lightly spiced, these rolls are versatile buddies in the kitchen.

Citrus Swap: I sometimes swap half the orange zest for lemon zest for a mixed citrus zing—fresh and bright on the palate.
Spice it Up: When the weather gets cozy, adding a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom to the filling feels so comforting.
Vegan Version: You can replace the butter and milk with plant-based alternatives; just expect a slightly different crumb but still delicious.
Nutrition Boost: Toss in some finely chopped nuts or seeds in the filling if you like a bit of crunch.

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

Step 1: Proof the Yeast and Scald the Milk

Start by mixing the warm water, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and active dry yeast in a small bowl. Let it sit for about five minutes until the mixture turns foamy—that’s your sign the yeast is active! Meanwhile, gently scald the milk by heating it just until bubbles form around the edges and it starts to steam. This step helps to get the right texture for the dough. Take the milk off the heat and let it cool for 10 minutes; too hot and it can hurt the yeast in the next steps.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

Once your yeast is bubbly, add the remaining sugar, salt, eggs, the warm but not hot scalded milk, 2 cups of flour, and orange zest. Using a paddle attachment, beat it all together until smooth, about 2 minutes. Then swap over to your dough hook and add the rest of the flour, 1 cup at a time, kneading until you get a soft, smooth dough—this usually takes about 5 minutes on medium speed. If it feels sticky, just add flour a little at a time; it should feel soft but not sloppy.

Step 3: Let It Rise

Place your dough into a greased bowl, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size—usually about an hour. I like to put mine in the oven with just the light on for a perfect cozy environment.

Step 4: Roll Out and Add Filling

Turn your dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll it into a large rectangle. Spread softened salted butter evenly all over the dough, then sprinkle with sugar and the remaining orange zest. That citrus-sugar layer is what makes these rolls sing with flavor.

Step 5: Fold and Cut Strips

Fold one long side of the dough about a third of the way toward the center, then do the same with the other side, like folding a letter. This creates layers and delicious pockets inside the rolls. Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to slice the dough into 16-20 strips, about an inch wide.

Step 6: Make the Knots

Grab one strip at a time, cross the ends over to make a loop, then push an end through to form a knot. Place your knotted rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat with all strips. Cover loosely with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let the rolls rise again for 30 minutes until puffy.

Step 7: Bake

Bake your rolls in a preheated 400°F oven for 8-10 minutes. You want a lovely light golden brown top—don't let them get too dark or they might dry out.

Step 8: Glaze and Serve

While the rolls bake, whisk together powdered sugar, orange zest, and enough orange juice to make a smooth glaze. Drizzle or brush this over the rolls as soon as they come out of the oven, then let them rest for 30-45 minutes so the glaze can set. The glaze adds a sunny sweetness and attractive shine.

Top Tip

Having made these orange sweet rolls countless times, I've learned a few little tricks that make all the difference between good rolls and fantastic rolls.

Perfect Dough Temperature: Make sure your scalded milk has cooled enough before adding to the yeast mixture; overheated milk can kill your yeast and result in dense rolls.
Kneading Time: Don’t rush the kneading step—5 minutes with a stand mixer is usually just right to develop gluten without making the dough tough.
Knots Don’t Have to Be Perfect: The knotted design is charming even if it’s a little rustic—no need to stress over perfectly neat knots; they all bake up deliciously.
Glaze While Warm: Brushing the glaze right after baking helps it soak in nicely without making a mess.

How to Serve Orange Sweet Rolls with Knotted Design Recipe

Garnishes

I often add a sprinkle of finely chopped pistachios or thin orange peel curls on top of the glaze for a bit of color and texture. A light dusting of powdered sugar just before serving adds some extra charm as well.

Side Dishes

These rolls shine on their own but pair beautifully with fresh fruit salad, a dollop of yogurt, or even a smear of cream cheese for a lovely brunch spread. A hot cup of coffee or freshly brewed tea always makes the experience complete.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like arranging the knotted rolls in a circle on a large serving platter, brushing them with extra glaze, and scattering edible flowers or herbs like mint for a vibrant presentation. It makes breakfast feel festive and brightens up the table.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. I find wrapping them individually in plastic wrap before placing them in the container helps keep them soft and fresh.

Freezing

You can freeze these orange sweet rolls either before or after baking. Just wrap each roll tightly in plastic wrap and place them all in a freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to 3 months. When you want to enjoy them, thaw at room temperature, then warm gently for the best texture.

Reheating

I pop leftovers onto a baking sheet and warm them in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes. This restores that just-baked softness and lets the glaze perk right back up. If reheating frozen rolls, I let them thaw before warming to avoid drying them out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use orange juice instead of zest in the dough?

While orange juice adds flavor, orange zest contains oils that are more concentrated and aromatic, giving a brighter flavor. It's best to keep the zest in the dough and use juice in the glaze for best results.

What if my dough is too sticky to handle?

Add flour gradually, a tablespoon at a time, while kneading until the dough is soft but no longer sticks to your hands or the bowl. Be careful not to add too much flour or the rolls will be dry and tough.

How do I know when the rolls are perfectly baked?

Look for a light golden brown color on top. The rolls should sound hollow when tapped gently on the bottom. Avoid overbaking to keep them soft and tender inside.

Can I prepare the dough the night before?

Yes! Prepare the dough and let it rise in the fridge overnight covered tightly. Let it come to room temperature and complete the shaping and second rise in the morning for fresh rolls.

Final Thoughts

This Orange Sweet Rolls with Knotted Design Recipe holds a special place in my heart—it’s the kind of recipe that’s warm, inviting, and makes every kitchen smell like happiness. Whether you’re sharing them with friends over morning coffee or savoring one quietly on a lazy weekend, these rolls bring a touch of sunshine to your day. Give them a try; I promise you’ll enjoy the process and the delicious result as much as I do.