Name: Orange Knotted Sweet Rolls Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 50 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

Orange Knotted Sweet Rolls Recipe is one of those delightful treats that fill your kitchen with the scent of fresh oranges and warm dough. These tender, slightly sweet rolls shaped into adorable knots are perfect for weekend brunches or special family gatherings. Trust me, once you make them, you'll wonder how you ever lived without their citrusy charm.

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 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’ve made plenty of sweet rolls over the years, but there’s something incredibly satisfying about these knotted orange rolls. The blend of fresh orange zest in both the dough and glaze makes this recipe truly stand out, instantly brightening your morning. Plus, the knot shape adds a fun twist that’s just as tasty as it is pretty on the plate.

Fresh Orange Flavor: The zest and juice create a vibrant citrus note that’s uplifting and natural, not artificial.
Soft, Tender Dough: The milk and eggs make the bread rich yet fluffy, perfect for a sweet breakfast roll.
Fun Knot Shape: These aren’t your typical buns — they’re whimsical, bite-sized, and fun to shape with family or friends.
Versatile & Customizable: Whether you want to add nuts, spices, or swap the glaze, it’s easy to make this recipe your own.

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

Each ingredient in this Orange Knotted Sweet Rolls Recipe plays a crucial role in building flavor, texture, and that delightful orange aroma that makes these rolls so memorable. Here’s what you need and a bit about why it works so well.

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: Using sugar in two stages helps activate the yeast and sweeten the filling, giving the rolls balanced sweetness.
Active Dry Yeast: The magic behind those light, fluffy knots, it helps the dough to rise perfectly.
Warm Water: Essential for proofing the yeast, it wakes the yeast gently without killing it.
Whole Milk: Scalding the milk adds richness and tenderness to the dough by impacting gluten development.
Eggs: They enrich the dough, giving softness and a slight golden hue after baking.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
Orange Zest: Freshly grated zest is key—full of essential oils that make the rolls smell and taste amazing.
All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the dough, providing structure but remaining tender.
Salted Butter: For the filling, softened to spread easily and adds a creamy richness that melts during baking.
Powdered Sugar: For the glaze, it melts smoothly and balances the tartness of the orange juice.
Orange Juice: Fresh squeezed juices give the glaze that perfect citrus punch without added artificial flavors.

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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 this Orange Knotted Sweet Rolls Recipe is how easy it is to add your own spin. I like to play with the filling or try different garnishes depending on the season or mood. You should definitely make it your own!

Zesty Cinnamon Variation: I love sprinkling a little cinnamon along with the orange zest for a warming twist. It’s perfect for cozy mornings.
Nutty Add-ins: Toasted pecans or walnuts folded into the filling add a delightful crunch and complement the citrus beautifully.
Dairy-Free Option: Swap the butter for coconut oil and use a plant-based milk to make these rolls dairy-free — they stay soft and delicious!
Extra Sweet Glaze: If you’re in the mood for indulgence, drizzle extra glaze or add a splash of vanilla to your orange icing.

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

Step 1: Activate Your Yeast and Prepare the Milk

Start by proofing your yeast: mix warm water, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and the dry yeast until it’s foamy—about 5 minutes. This tells you the yeast is alive and ready. Meanwhile, scald your milk by heating it until you see bubbles along the edges and a little steam. This step helps develop a tender dough — just be sure to cool the milk for about 10 minutes before adding it to prevent killing the yeast.

Step 2: Mix and Knead the Dough

Once your yeast is bubbly, stir in the remaining sugar and salt. Add your eggs, cooled scalded milk, 2 cups of flour, and orange zest. Beat on medium for two minutes until smooth. Switch to your dough hook and add the rest of the flour a cup at a time, kneading until you get a smooth, slightly sticky dough—it usually takes about five minutes. Don’t rush here; kneading well makes all the difference for that soft texture.

Step 3: First Rise and Rolling Out

Transfer your dough to a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise until doubled, about an hour. Once it’s puffed up beautifully, roll it out into a big rectangle. Spread softened butter all over, then sprinkle sugar and extra orange zest on top for that lovely, sweet citrus layer.

Step 4: Folding and Cutting Strips

Fold one long side of your dough over by about a third, then fold the other long side over to meet it—kind of like folding a letter. This layering traps the butter and sugar inside the dough layers. Now cut the dough into 16–20 strips, each about one inch wide. I use a pizza cutter—it’s faster and cleaner than a knife for this step.

Step 5: Knotting Your Rolls

Grab one strip, cross one end over the other to form a loop, then push one end through the loop to make a knot. Place each knotted roll on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Don’t worry if they look uneven—that rustic charm is part of the fun. Cover loosely and let them rise for another 30 minutes until puffy and ready to bake.

Step 6: Baking and Glazing

Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 8 to 10 minutes, keeping an eye on them as they should turn just lightly golden on top. While they bake, whisk together powdered sugar, orange zest, and orange juice until smooth for the glaze. Once your rolls are out of the oven and slightly cooled, drizzle or brush the glaze generously over the warm knots and let it set for 30–45 minutes before serving.

Top Tip

Over the years of making these, a few details have transformed my baking—trust me, these tips will make your Orange Knotted Sweet Rolls Recipe truly shine.

Proof Your Yeast Properly: Always check that your yeast foams within 5 minutes in warm water with some sugar. If it doesn’t, starting over will save you frustration later.
Scald Your Milk: Don’t skip this step—the slight heating changes the proteins and keeps your rolls ultra-soft and tender.
Don’t Over-Flour Dough: The dough should feel slightly sticky but pliable. Adding too much flour will dry your rolls out.
Let Rolls Cool a Bit Before Glazing: If they’re too hot, the glaze will melt off completely, losing that pretty shine and flavor.

How to Serve Orange Knotted Sweet Rolls Recipe

Orange Knotted Sweet Rolls - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually top these rolls with a little extra fresh orange zest right after glazing for a pop of color and an extra boost of aroma. Sometimes, I add a few edible flowers or a light dusting of powdered sugar when serving to guests — it feels like a celebration in each bite.

Side Dishes

Pairing these rolls with fresh fruit salad or a dollop of whipped cream makes breakfast feel extra special. I also love them alongside scrambled eggs or a creamy yogurt parfait for a balanced weekend brunch.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I arrange these knotted sweet rolls in a circular pattern on a big platter, making an edible wreath that’s irresistible. Another fun idea is placing them in muffin tins so they bake into perfectly portioned bundles—great for serving at parties!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover rolls store beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. I usually wrap them in plastic wrap and place them in a bread box or cupboard to keep them soft without drying out.

Freezing

These rolls freeze wonderfully! I let them cool completely, then wrap each one individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. When I want them, I thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently.

Reheating

To revive the rolls, I pop them in a 350°F oven for about 5–10 minutes or until warmed through. This makes the crust soft again and refreshes the orange glaze without drying them out. Microwave is quick but can make them a bit chewy, so I prefer the oven method.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes! You can substitute instant yeast for active dry yeast using the same amount. Just mix it directly into the flour before adding liquids, and you can skip the proofing step. However, proofing active dry yeast helps confirm it’s active, so if you use instant yeast, your dough might rise a bit faster.

How important is the orange zest in this recipe?

The orange zest is a star ingredient here. It contains essential oils that give these rolls their bright, fresh citrus aroma and flavor. Using fresh zest (not dried) from unwaxed oranges gives the best taste. Without it, the rolls lose their signature orange punch.

Can I make these rolls ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can prepare the dough, shape the rolls, then refrigerate them overnight during the second rise. The next day, just bake them fresh for best texture and flavor. Alternatively, bake ahead and freeze the rolls for later reheating.

What’s the best way to avoid dough sticking while shaping?

Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin, but don’t overdo it—too much flour can dry the dough. Also, keep your hands lightly floured to prevent sticking while tying the knots. Using a pizza cutter helps create clean edges, making knotted shaping easier.

Final Thoughts

Making these Orange Knotted Sweet Rolls Recipe has become a little weekend tradition for me—and something I’m always excited to share at brunch. Their light citrus flavor, soft texture, and charming shape never fail to impress. I hope you enjoy baking and eating them as much as I do. Give it a try in your kitchen, and I promise they’ll brighten your day in the best possible way.