Easy Orange Rolls
Do you have those moments in your life that, no matter if they happened twenty, thirty, or fifty years ago, they can be called upon at a moment’s notice and replayed in your mind as if they were only yesterday? Last week while I was filming on the set of Beat The Chefs, I had one of those moments when I walked outside of the studio and looked up at the moon.
I was on the tail end of a two week filming session consisting of twelve+ hour days working with some of the most wonderful people you could ever encounter. I’m blessed on many levels but most importantly, I’m blessed because I have the wisdom to realize and see my blessings around me. That is a key factor that a lot of people miss.
But I missed my family something fierce, so much so that my heart was just in a constant state of aching.
I looked up at the moon and went back in time.
It was a night just like that one, a moon just like the one I was seeing. My great grandmother had called me out to join her in the driveway. “Come ‘ere Christy” she said. “I want you to look up at this moon.” I stepped out onto the smooth cool concrete in my bare feet and looked up at her. Her face was weathered from a lifetime of hard work and caring for her family. There was that usual hint of a smile around the corners of her mouth and that little twinkle in her eyes that made you feel she knew something you didn’t. Her countenance was made all the more beautiful by hair the color of the moon’s glow and wrinkles from smiles dating back to 1902.
I followed her gaze up to the tilted crescent moon. “That’s my favorite moon” she said. “When it’s a layin’ on it’s back like that it looks like it’s restin’ “. Her lips curled up into a smile as she looked down to make sure I was looking up as she spoke. “Always did like to step out and look at the moon when it was like that.”
Lela had lived a hard life, with years of working in the cotton fields and many times having to provide for her four kids on her own. Long hard days had given her strength that even advanced age couldn’t take away, and here she was, looking up and admiring the resting moon. I could just imagine how much it meant to her, when her back was nigh on breaking from picking cotton, to be able to find solace in knowing that even the moon got to rest sometimes.
The sky in Alabama is darker than it is in Los Angeles. The sky all those years ago was deep as pitch and the moon and stars were so bright they lit your path wherever you wanted to go, providing far more light than street lamps along city streets. Lela was wearing her dark blue house coat, just like the one of hers that I have neatly folded and tucked away in a box of treasures, that still has her smell of rose scented lotion and vita moist face cream. She smiled up at the moon in a way that made me think she was stepping back to another moment, just like I do when I think of that night and find myself standing under the carport with her and stepping to the edge to gaze up at the moon at her insistence that I do so.
I like it when it’s resting like that too, Lela. And thank you for giving me a little of home as I looked at it again through your eyes. We’re never as far from home as we think we are.
~takes a deep breath~
So today, I’m home. Back where I belong. With that in mind, it’s time to get cooking again, something I have been doing all weekend. Oh how I missed having my kitchen! Today’s recipe is a small and dainty orange roll. They are somewhat like cinnamon rolls in their concept but not much like them at all in taste. Alabama has a few places that are known for their orange rolls, served alongside your lunch plate or placed upon your table in baskets, and I’ve never even tried any of those. Yes, I am probably the only person in Alabama who has never eaten at All Steak in Cullman – but I never did say I was well traveled. Given the chance to go or stay, I generally choose stay whenever possible 
It’s not that I’m a homebody, it’s just that I realize how blessed I am to have my home and everyone in it and I need a few lifetimes in order to enjoy it fully.
Here is my simple take on orange rolls and I hope you get to try them soon because they are surprisingly low fuss and supremely divine!
You’ll need: Frozen Orange Juice Concentrate, butter, one orange, sugar, confectioner’s sugar, and one loaf of frozen bread dough.
I get my dough at the grocery store in the freezer section. Rhode’s bread dough sells packages of three frozen loafs like this and Kroger has their brand that usually comes in packages of four or five loafs. You need to set this out on a plate, cover, and allow it to thaw completely.
Okay now we need to zest our orange. Whatever kind of orange you have is just fine so don’t worry about that.
I can’t find my zester, though, and I hate digging through the abyss that is my kitchen drawers so I just grabbed this grater thingiemawhosit and it’ll work just fine.
Some folks might tell you not to do this so if they do, just don’t show them this post. I’m a big girl so I can make these executive decisions
Bada! Orange zest. About a tablespoon.
Now get a heaping tablespoon of orange juice concentrate.
Add all of that in a mixing bowl with your softened butter.
And mix it until it is well combined like this.
Now take your thawed bread dough and place it on a well floured surface.
It is important that you thaw it.
Roll that out a bit.
Like this.
I would estimate that this is about seventeen inches long and six or seven inches tall.
Here is a great tip to rolling out dough:
It will be hard to roll out and take some muscle so I roll it out as best I can and then let it sit for five minutes. This relaxes the dough. After five minutes, finish rolling it out to the size you want it to be and it will be much easier.
Spread the dough with your orange butter but leave about 1/2 of an inch around the sides.
Sprinkle it with your sugar.
We’re only using 2-3 tablespoons of white sugar here because it doesn’t take much.
Now, to make our small little orange rolls, take a pizza cutter and cut right down the center of your dough to divide it into two looooonnnnnng skinny rectangles.
Starting on the inside, roll 1/2 of your dough up into a log and squeeze it together lightly to help it hold.
Repeat with the other one.
Time to cut! I cut each log into 12 equal sized pieces.
I don’t use the end pieces but if you want to use them, just place them in a separate small baking dish.
Grease a 24 cup mini muffin tin. Yes, mine is well used but I’m just keeping it real here
Place one slice into each muffin cup.
Like this.
Cover with waxed paper or a cloth towel and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in size, anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.
Like this.
Now bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes or until just lightly browned.
Remove your hot rolls from the oven.
Like this.
Time to mix up our WONDERMOUS glaze!
I like to use orange juice concentrate because it gives you that POP of orange flavor that I love so much.
All you need is about a cup of confectioner’s sugar and two to three tablespoons of orange juice concentrate.
Stir that up until it’s nice and smooth.
YUM YUM!
You know you wanna taste it.
Brush the glaze over your warm orange rolls.
Can you look at this grin and not smile? I sure can’t!
ENJOY!
Ingredients
- 1 loaf frozen bread dough, completely thawed
- 1 stick butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon orange juice concentrate
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 2-3 tablespoons white sugar
Instructions
- Place dough on floured surface and roll out to a 17 x 6 inch rectangle (This is approximate, you can eyeball it- see post for helpful tips to make rolling it out easier).
- In a mixing bowl, place softened butter, orange zest, and 1 tablespoon orange juice concentrate. Mix with electric mixer until well blended.
- Spread orange butter over dough, leaving about 1/2 an inch all around on the outsides. Sprinkle with white sugar. Cut down the middle lengthwise with a pizza cutter (See photos in tutorial for visual).
- Beginning in the center, roll each side up into a log and press with hands to seal. Cut each log into 12 slices.
- Place slices in greased 24 cup mini muffin tin and cover. Allow to rise in warm place until doubled, 30 minutes to an hour.
- Bake in 350 oven for twenty minutes, or until lightly browned.
- 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
- 2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate
- Stir together glaze ingredients until smooth and creamy. Brush over hot rolls as soon as they come out of the oven. Enjoy!
Print This Recipe
I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.
~Abraham Lincoln
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Posted by Christy Jordan
on Jul 30 2012. Filed under Breads.
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That was a beautiful story and brought tears to my eyes because I miss my late grama, like crazy.
Anyhow-Yum-those looks scrumptious!
Thank you Brooke! I miss mine so much, too, but I’m glad you were blessed like me in having a wonderful grama who loved you so much!
Gratefully,
Christy
Those look so good I can almost smell them-orange anything is like a sprinkle of sunshine. I don’t have a mini-muffin tin, but am thinking I could just make them sweet roll size.
Oh absolutely! They’d work great as that – and folks would appreciate the bigger size once they taste them Elaine! Hope you’re having a great day!
Gratefully,
Christy
Welcome Home!! Glad you’re back!! We all miss knowing you are not in your spot! Have a great week!! Love ya!
Have printed the recipe, can not wait to try.
Thanks!
Who knew a post about orange rolls could make my eyes misty? Of course, it’s your sweet story about Lena that really did it.
These sound amazing, Christy. Thank you for sharing! I grew up going to The Club atop Red Mountain in Birmingham with my own grandmother. It’s just another place in our great state that’s known for delicious orange rolls. With a basket of those on the table, no dessert is necessary!
Love to moongaze, too! Love it when it shines through our windows! I turn off the TV and lights and just soak in the moon beams! Those rolls look as cute and the model holding the basket!! Gotta make these soon…although I’ll bet the Lemon Lover of the family is gonna wonder if I can make them with lemon sometime instead of orange. And of course, …..I’ll oblige! ;D
I can not find the frozen bread dough, have looked before when a recipe called for it.
Please give me some stores to check for this product.
Wal Mart, Publix, and Krogers all have it here, but it is never easy to spot. You have to bend down and look back up in there around the frozen biscuits and such. I know that sounds silly but seriously, I’ve never found it anywhere unless I bent down and looked up in there! lol
CHRISTY, YOU ARE SO RIGHT ABOUNT BENDING DOWN TO FIND THE BREAD DOUGH. WE ALL MUST LOOK LIKE WE ARE BOWING TO THE BREAD CASE
If you have trouble finding the frozen bread dough, just ask a manager or an employee, they are always happy to help you and saves you some time looking!
Thank you, Christy, for this wonderful recipe. I adore Orange Rolls and this is easy enough for even me!
Thank you Christy for that wonderful memory – my Great Grandma – Grammy – used to tell me stories at night – I’d spend the night and we’d lay awake as long as we could. I have one of her purses in a special place and when I open it up – it smells just like she did and always makes me smile. I’m gonna have to go open it up now. Big hug and thanks so much for the smile today.
What a beautiful story! My Grandma passed 21 years ago. I still miss her and think of ther often. When I was little, we lived next door to Grandma & Grandpa. Whenever there was a rainbow, she would call me to tell me about the rainbow. Rainbows just excited me. Now whenever I see a rainbow, it reminds me of my Grandma. Today, I show my daughter the rainbows and she appreciates them too. Thank you for sharing your story. The orange rolls look so good. I’m gonna have to make these very soon.
I’ve looked before & can’t find the Frozen Orange Concentrate here in the UK. Can you suggest a substitute?
The one thing that comes to my mind is to squeeze your orange juice as you would fresh and cook it down a bit to reduce its water content. There is also such an item as orange extract similar to vanilla or almond extracts.
Orange juice frozen in a can.
Reading your story brought tears to my eyes. I am reminded just how much I love your blog. Now when I see that moon I will think of your grandma. Love ya Christy and what a yummy treat…only thing I dont have on hand is the orange. Just may have to do something about that. So happy for you on the show, cant wait to see it. Much Love!
That was a wonderful story. Glad that you made it home safe. Home really is best and enjoy your babies while you can–they’ll be grown and gone before you know it! I will have to try this recipe soon. I bought your book and love it.
Christy, I loved my Grandma Hallie the same way you loved your G-Grandma Lela, with my whole heart. In my family, we say “Goodnight, Moon” (like the children’s book) when we see the moon, knowing others in the family will be doing the same thing if they see it. Can’t wait to try these orange rolls, either! =^..^=
What a sweet, sweet story. I’m so glad I took a few minutes to read it. It helped set my frame right for the rest of the day! And I can’t wait to try out these rolls!
Thank you Christy for such a beautiful story to start my Monday off!!! Made me miss my “granny” she was such a sweetie!!! I loved what you said ” it’s not that i’m a homebody, it’s just that I realize how BLESSED I am to have my home and everyone in it, and need a few lifetimes in order to enjoy it fully.” so many wait until they are old to relize this. I’m OLD, but relized a long time ago just how VERY BLESSED I am. We have had to sell our home and move to an apt. because my husband just couldn’t take care of it after his second heart attack, but relize everyday how BLESSED we are to have such a lovely place to live.
The orange roll sound wonderful!!! I will be trying them out on my Women’s Circle at Church on my next turn to serve breakfast.
Keep up the GOOD work, I LOVE Southern Plate!!! And LOVE you TOO!!!!
Maryanna Foster
Jasper, Alabama
Christy, I enjoy your family stories so much. These rolls will be made before they day is over! As you are blessed and grow in your career please stay real. You make it a joy to share your journey’s – not an intimidating experience. It seems you carry a lot of us with you on your adventures. Blessings in bunches to you!!
Oh did i miss you Christy .So glad you are back home .
I have not tried the orange roll yet but just knowthey will be awesome .
Loved your story Christy .It touched my heart.
Hey! Glad you are home! I know you made us all proud here at ” Southern Plate” with all your charm and all. What a sweet, sweet story. My relatives were cotton pickers too. Hard workers. Kids today don’t know that kind of work, I didn’t, but my parents did. Those orange rolls are yummy I’m sure and
that picture of KR holding them is precious!
Oh, btw, I haven’t been to “All Steak” either!
Oh Christy! You must, Must, MUST make it to the All Steak! I’ve never tasted a bad thing yet and have been going for 30 years! The orange rolls are to die for and their steak and seafood thermidor are nothing to sneeze at either. Can’t wait to try your orange rolls. Your recipe looks much easier than the one I have used in the past.
Christy i can relate so much to your story I loved my grandmother so muchand i could tell many stories she told me and share msny recipes that she gave me . I also lost my Mom May 22 , 2012. I miss them both so very much would u please pray for me and God Bless You and your Family…Thanks
my granny taught me so many wonderful things….my favorite recipe is her buttermilk friend chicken.. she made the best biscuits but to this day I can not top hers..thanks for the story, it brought back so many wonderful memories of my own grandmother and her teachings
WooHoo…..these Orange Rolls are to die for! As is your “Cornbread Salad” that I made for lunch today……YUM! YUM!
Love your recipes! And Thanks!
Oh, for the Cornbread, I used a Mexican Cornbread mix. YUM!
That was a beautiful story, Christy! It brought tears to my eyes. I haven’t tried this recipe but did try my first one of your others ….. Beef Tips. Incredibly simple and good. Husband loved it! Couldn’t believe it was only 2 ingredients. Love your site!
Thanks for sharing your touching reminder. It made me remember my mother and grandmother, but also think of leaving those kinds of memories with my own kids. My great-aunt used to make delicious orange rolls from scratch. I tried the recipe and literally ended up with flames in my oven! I think I’ll give these a try and see if they satisfy my craving. They sound yummy!
Frozen dough makes life so much easier than from scratch. These sounds mouth watering!
Ohh..I’m going to try these real soon. I thought of also
topping with sliced almonds. Thank you for the recipe
BEAUTIFUL , just like you and your little girl, i love orange rolls always wanted a simple take on it, I have been to All steak but i think these are going to be just as good if not better. Can’t wait to try, and thank you for being such a blessing in my life.
CHRISTY, THESE ROLLS SOUND AND LOOK DELICIOUS. I CAN’T WAIT TO MAKE THEM, THEY LOOK SO EASY TO MAKE, THAT I LIKE. THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL THE DELICIOUS RECIPES. RUBY
Christy, when our boys were little we would go out and look at the moon or stars, and even though their Daddy has told them at least a hundred times how to find the big dipper, they still listen today as he points up into the heavens to show them. Memories cannot be bought. No amount of money in the world could erase the look on those little fellows faces as we all gazed up in the dark country sky and sometimes even got to see a flash of a falling star or the mist around the moon. You are the real thing, Christy, and you deserve all the wonderful things happening in your life. Barbara from Tennessee
What a sweet story! Left a little tear in my eye. And even this MD gal has eaten orange rolls at Allsteak, just a little over a week ago while visiting my sweet baby grandaughter, oh and her momma and daddy.
Those orange rolls are something else! Can’t wait to try yours! Yum!
What a wonderful reminder of our grandmothers. I called mine “Ma.” She was more like my mother. Her cooking was like no other. She tried to teach me a few years before she died, but my cooking never tasted like hers. She never measured anything.
The thing I am most thankful for was she taught me about Jesus and read Bible stories to me every day. If it had not been for her, I probably would not know my Lord and Savior.
Thanks for reminding me how special she was.
That is a nutmeg grater that you used to get the orange zest. My mother had one when I was a kid, many years ago. I use one today. Freshly grated nutmeg is so much better than the already ground.
I’m a California girl so not Southern at all and trying to start a business so time is short always. However, I stop at your emails instantly and read them through. Don’t do that to any others that are not business related. Your emails are charming and make me think and remember my mom and dad. My dad was the greatest, most loving man that ever lived and I miss him and mom everyday. Your stories and memories bring back my own memories.
What a lovely remembrance of your grandmother you shared today. I’ll probably think of her myself next time I see that resting moon! Puts me in mind of my own sweet, sweet country grandmother who would allow us to do anything we wanted on her farm in NC. Chickens and cats in doll clothes? Not a problem. A real fire out in back of the well house to cook up weeds for coffee? Why not? She called it “Playin’ Missus.” It’s a wonder we didn’t burn the place down. LOL
My mother used to complain that no matter what time of night or day we arrived, she’d start making biscuits and then my father would expect her to do the same. She made everything on her old wood stove in her kitchen with no running water and she prepared the most delicious meals, including home-cured country ham, fried chicken, banana pudding and ice cold lemonade made from scratch. Then she would sit on the front porch in the swing with us surrounded by her beautiful garden of hollyhocks. How I loved that woman.
I am so grateful you posted a recipe for these! I prefer these to cinnamon rolls and cannot wait to try. It will also be my first time working with the frozen dough.
You will love how easy it is to use the frozen dough Sallie!! I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Christy…you always touch the tenderest places in our hearts…that’s why we love you so!!! Have made something similar for years, but since the fledglings have fled…not so much lately!! Wish I could give you a great big giant (((((((Hug)))))))))!
HUGS back to you Mary!!!
Now Christy, not only have you brought tears to my eyes, you brought back memories of my Nanny Mac, when I was but a little girl she took me outside on a full moon night. Told me stories about how her Mamma had told her when she got lonely or missing her she could look up at the moon and know that she was loved. My Nanny died when I was 9 yrs old, I snuck into her hospital room and she had me crawl up on the bed with her, we snuggled up close and she asked me if I remembered the Moon and how it lit the night when we were scared and lonely.. she then told me I could always know she was watching over me whenever I saw the moon, it would be a sign that God was in his heaven and all was going to be okay. I go outside every night and say special prayers this is my time with all those that I love that have gone before me. Thank you for sharing your story about your Grandmother, it touches my heart. Now how am I going to stick to a diet with dreams of these Orange Rolls dancing in my head?????? Love ya!!
Oh my goodness Marianne, you brought tears to my eyes~! What a precious and special memory. I love it and thank you so much for sharing it with us!!
Welcome home sweet girl! We missed you just knowing you were so far away from home…and in the “big city” on top of that!!! Thank you for sharing your memory of Ms. Lela. I’m gonna be watching to catch a glimpse of that moon when it’s resting! ♥
Thank you Marianne, for sharing your sweet memory of your Grandma. ♥
hi christy, loved your story. i didn’t experience having grandparents but i hope i am making these type of moments for my own grandkids. i can tell you love alabama the way i love new orleans, my hometown. don’t we all feel that way of where we grew up, especially if you have wonderful memories.
My gracious sakes a mercy! I just took these bad boys out of the oven. I hope somebody gets home soon to eat these, cause I could polish these off all by my lonesome! They better hurry up! Delicious…………….thank you for sharing!
Thanks for the recipe,having a trail ride this Saturday and will make them for the “workers” breakfast.Will double the recipe or I won’t get any !
these rolls are a little bit of heaven, just like all your recipes. love seeing photos of your sweet angel. may God continue to bless you, your family and all your endeavors.
I so love the step by step directions! You have awesome recipes. So easy the way you show the photos. Don’t stop.
I am so glad to hear that you are enjoying the recipes Joni!!
OMG! I just took the rolls out of the oven. Put the glaze on and oh Lord!!!!
These are awesome!! Thank YOU
JONI
Ohhh goodness, i can smell them from here. Please have one for me!!!
What a lovely story to share with us, you are so very good at helping all of us appreciate the things we have! You are one Blessed Lady.
Thank you o much Beth, I hope you have a blessed day!!
My mother and I would moon gaze and she taught me a little moon poem/prayer that I say to my children
I see the moon and the moon sees me
God bless the moon and God bless me
comforting to know even in a strange place some things are always there, hope to try these yummy rolls soon