If you’re looking for a recipe that captures the joy of Sunday mornings and fills your kitchen with sunshine, Sweet Roll Orange Knots are the answer. Imagine warm, pillowy knots of soft dough infused with bright orange zest and drizzled with a tangy orange glaze—each bite is light, zesty, and downright irresistible. These stunning little rolls are everything you want in a homemade treat: yeast-risen, gently sweet, and bursting with citrusy aroma. Whether you’re serving breakfast, brunch, or a cozy afternoon snack, Sweet Roll Orange Knots always steal the spotlight and leave everyone reaching for just one more.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What’s wonderful about these Sweet Roll Orange Knots is how the basic ingredients work together to create something truly special. Each ingredient brings its own magic, enhancing the tender, flavorful dough and the bright, glossy glaze.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the perfect soft structure for fluffy, chewy knots.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps activate the yeast for a lighter texture.
- Active dry yeast: The secret to that beautiful rise and irresistible pillowy crumb.
- Salt: Enhances flavor and balances out the sweetness in each bite.
- Whole milk (warmed): Adds richness and helps create a soft, tender dough.
- Unsalted butter (melted): Brings richness and that wonderful buttery aroma.
- Large egg: Acts as a binder and helps the dough rise with more tenderness.
- Orange zest: Infuses the knots and glaze with fragrant, sunny citrus flavor.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the sweetness and rounds out the citrusy notes.
- Powdered sugar (for glaze): Creates a silky smooth, sweet orange drizzle to finish each knot.
- Orange juice (for glaze): Adds a fresh, tangy punch for the perfect citrus finish.
How to Make Sweet Roll Orange Knots
Step 1: Mix the Dough Base
Start by grabbing a big mixing bowl; in it, combine 1 cup of all-purpose flour, the sugar, yeast, and salt. Give it a quick whisk to evenly distribute everything and set the stage for a perfectly risen batch of Sweet Roll Orange Knots. This dry blend ensures the yeast activates evenly, giving your rolls that signature lift.
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients
Pour in the warm milk, melted butter, egg, orange zest, and vanilla extract. Stir it all together until you’ve got a thick, slightly sticky batter. The warmth helps activate the yeast and infuses the dough with those beautiful orange and vanilla flavors that set Sweet Roll Orange Knots apart.
Step 3: Knead to Perfection
Gradually add in the rest of the flour, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5–7 minutes, or use your stand mixer’s dough hook. The dough should become smooth, elastic, and easy to handle—this step is key for achieving fluffy, golden knots.
Step 4: First Rise
Place your dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a towel, and set it somewhere warm and cozy. Let it rise for about an hour, or until doubled in size. Watching the dough grow is always rewarding; it means those Sweet Roll Orange Knots will be delightfully airy.
Step 5: Shape into Knots
After the dough has risen, punch it down to release extra air. Divide it into 12 equal pieces, then roll each piece into an 8-inch rope. Tie each rope into a loose knot and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. It’s fun and easy, and if they’re not perfectly uniform, that’s all part of their handcrafted charm.
Step 6: Second Rise
Cover the tray with a clean towel and let the knots rest for another 30 minutes. This final rise lets them puff up beautifully, ensuring your Sweet Roll Orange Knots will be ultra-light in texture once baked.
Step 7: Bake the Knots
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Bake the knots for 12–15 minutes, until they’re lightly golden and the kitchen smells invitingly of citrus and fresh baked bread. Don’t overbake—just a light kiss of color is all you need.
Step 8: Whisk and Glaze
While the knots bake, whisk together the powdered sugar, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract until you have a smooth, pourable glaze. Once the knots are out of the oven and slightly cooled, drizzle the glaze generously over each one. The glaze settles into the twists and turns, infusing every bite with bright citrus sweetness.
How to Serve Sweet Roll Orange Knots
Garnishes
For a fresh and festive finish, sprinkle a little extra orange zest over your Sweet Roll Orange Knots just before serving. If you want an extra pop of color, a few candied orange peels or a dusting of powdered sugar can make your platter look especially inviting.
Side Dishes
These knots shine on their own, but for a brunch spread, serve them alongside scrambled eggs, fresh fruit salad, or a bowl of thick Greek yogurt. If you’re feeling extra decadent, a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice or a frothy latte is the perfect pairing for these citrus-infused treats.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the Sweet Roll Orange Knots in a spiral pattern on a big platter or pile them high on a cake stand for an irresistible centerpiece. For breakfast gatherings, wrap each knot in a parchment square and serve in a basket for a casual, bakery-style vibe. You can even tuck a few into a pretty box for a homemade gift that screams thoughtfulness and sunshine.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have any Sweet Roll Orange Knots left (which can be a challenge!), pop them into an airtight container. They’ll stay soft and flavorful for up to two days at room temperature. You can always warm them up to bring back their just-baked goodness.
Freezing
These knots freeze beautifully. For the best results, store the unglazed, fully baked knots in a freezer bag, squeezing out as much air as possible. They’ll keep well for up to a month. When you’re ready to serve, thaw, reheat, and finish with fresh glaze.
Reheating
To reheat, simply pop the Sweet Roll Orange Knots in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds, or in a warm oven at 300°F for 5–7 minutes. This softens them right up and brings back all that delicious bakery-fresh texture—just wait to glaze if reheating from frozen!
FAQs
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes! If using instant yeast, you can add it directly with the flour and other dry ingredients. The rise times should stay roughly the same, although the dough may rise a little faster.
What’s the best way to make sure my dough rises well?
Find the warmest spot in your kitchen—often inside a turned-off oven with the light on, or a sunny window ledge. Yeast loves gentle warmth and will reward you with perfectly pillowy Sweet Roll Orange Knots every time.
Can I make the dough a day ahead?
Absolutely! After kneading, let the dough rise in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, let it come to room temperature and complete the shaping, second rise, and baking as usual for an effortless fresh breakfast.
Is it possible to substitute another citrus fruit?
Definitely. Swap orange zest and juice with lemon for a zippy twist, or try a mix of orange and grapefruit for extra complexity. Citrus options are endless, but nothing quite compares to the sunny flavor of classic Sweet Roll Orange Knots.
How do I prevent my rolls from drying out?
Always store cooled knots in an airtight container. If you plan on keeping them longer, freeze unglazed rolls and reheat as needed. When reheating, a damp paper towel in the microwave helps restore lost moisture quickly.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to brighten your breakfast table or share something special with friends, give these Sweet Roll Orange Knots a whirl. They’re easier than you’d think, bursting with citrus flavor, and guaranteed to bring smiles with every gorgeous, glazed bite. Enjoy baking—and even more, enjoy the delicious results!
Print
Sweet Roll Orange Knots Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes (including rising time)
- Yield: 12 knots 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Sweet Roll Orange Knots are a delightful citrus-infused treat perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack. Soft and fluffy knots drizzled with a zesty orange glaze, they are sure to brighten your day!
Ingredients
Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup whole milk (warmed)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Orange Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Stir in warm milk, melted butter, egg, orange zest, and vanilla until well blended.
- Add remaining flour gradually until a soft dough forms. Knead on a lightly floured surface for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic, or use a stand mixer with a dough hook.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into an 8-inch rope and tie into a loose knot.
- Place knots on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover, and let rise again for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake the knots for 12–15 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
- While the knots are baking, whisk together powdered sugar, orange juice, zest, and vanilla to make the glaze.
- Let the knots cool slightly, then drizzle with orange glaze before serving.
Notes
- These are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Reheat briefly before serving to soften.
- You can also freeze the baked (unglazed) knots for up to 1 month.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 knot
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 105mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
