There’s something about the smell of orange and cinnamon baking in the oven that says Christmas morning. If you grew up with a church cookbook on the kitchen shelf, you probably remember easy orange sweet rolls just like these.
These easy sweet orange rolls are made with Bisquick, so there’s no yeast and no waiting around for dough to rise. You can go from bowl to oven in about 15 minutes.
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Why You’ll Love These Orange Rolls
These are the kind of old-fashioned sweet rolls that don’t ask much of you. No mixer, no fancy pans, and no hard-to-find ingredients.
They’re perfect for busy holiday mornings when you want something homemade but don’t want to be tied to the kitchen. The brown sugar, cinnamon, and orange zest filling tastes like a classic cinnamon roll with a bright, sunny twist.
Here’s what makes them a keeper:
- No yeast and no rising time. The biscuit mix does the work for you.
- Simple pantry ingredients. Bisquick, yogurt, milk, butter, and brown sugar.
- Just 9 rolls. A good size for a family breakfast or a small holiday brunch.
- Fresh orange flavor. Zest in the filling and juice in the glaze make them taste like Christmas.
What You’ll Need
Everything here is easy to find at any grocery store. If you bake from old community cookbooks, I’d guess you already have most of it.
For the dough:
- Bisquick mix
- vanilla yogurt
- milk
- all-purpose flour for rolling
For the orange filling:
- butter, softened
- brown sugar, packed
- orange zest
- ground cinnamon
- pecans, finely chopped
For the orange glaze:
- orange juice
- powdered sugar (also called icing sugar)
How to Make Orange Sweet Rolls with Bisquick
These come together fast, so get your oven going first. Then work through the steps one at a time.
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pan
Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 9×9-inch (22×22 cm) pan with parchment paper.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
Combine the Bisquick, vanilla yogurt, and milk in a medium bowl. Stir just until moistened. Don’t overmix it.
Step 3: Knead and Roll Out the Dough
Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface. Knead it gently 10 to 12 times, sprinkling on a little more flour if it gets sticky.
Roll the dough into a 12×12-inch (30×30 cm) square.
Step 4: Add the Orange Cinnamon Filling
In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, orange zest, and cinnamon until combined. Spread it evenly over the dough. Sprinkle the chopped pecans on top.
Step 5: Roll, Slice, and Bake
Roll the dough up tightly and pinch the seam closed. Trim off both ends, then cut the roll into 9 slices.
Arrange the slices cut side down in your prepared pan. Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden.
Step 6: Glaze the Warm Rolls
While the rolls bake, stir the orange juice and powdered sugar together in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle it over the rolls while they’re still warm.
Helpful Tips
A few little things help these turn out soft and pretty every time.
- Don’t overwork the dough. Biscuit-style dough gets tough if you handle it too much, so stick to those 10 to 12 gentle kneads.
- Use plenty of flour on your counter. The dough can be a bit sticky, and a well-floured surface makes rolling much easier.
- Zest before you juice. Grate the zest from your orange first, then squeeze the juice for the glaze.
- Roll tightly. A snug roll keeps the filling inside and gives you nice, even swirls.
- Glaze while warm. The glaze soaks in just a little and sets into a lovely shiny finish.
Easy Ways to Change It Up
Pecans are classic, but walnuts work well too. If you have a nut allergy at the table, you can leave them out and the rolls will still taste great.
A bit of extra orange zest in the glaze gives you a stronger orange flavor. Go easy, though, since a little goes a long way.
How to Store Leftover Orange Rolls
Cover any leftovers and keep them at room temperature for a day or two. A few seconds in the microwave brings back that fresh-baked softness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, and that’s the beauty of this recipe. The Bisquick mix has leavening built right in, so there’s no yeast and no rising time.
Any all-purpose baking mix, or biscuit mix, should work. Just use the same amount.
Vanilla yogurt adds a little sweetness and tenderness to the dough. If you only have plain, it will work, though the rolls may taste slightly less sweet.
Yes. Fresh is lovely, but bottled works fine. You’ll still want a fresh orange for the zest in the filling.
They’re made for it. They’re quick, they smell wonderful, and they let you enjoy the morning with your family instead of waiting on dough.
A Simple Holiday Treat Worth Making
These easy orange sweet rolls are the kind of recipe that earns a spot in your Christmas morning tradition. They’re simple, they’re nostalgic, and they taste like something that came straight out of a well-loved community cookbook.
Share your baking!
If you make these orange sweet rolls be sure to leave a comment. I love hearing from you! Also, if you make this recipe, I’d love for you to share your photos on Instagram. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #bakersbookshelf.
Sweet Orange Rolls with Bisquick
Ingredients
- 2 cups Bisquick mix
- ½ cup vanilla yogurt
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoon butter softened
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅓ cup pecans finely chopped
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 375F (190C)
- Line a 9×9-inch (22×22 cm) pan with parchment paper.
- Combine biscuit mix, yogurt and milk in a medium bowl until just moistened.
- Turn dough out onto a well-floured surface and knead gently 10 – 12 times. Sprinkle over some more flour if you need to to prevent sticking.
- Roll the dough out to a 12.12 inch (30×30 cm) square.
- Combine butter, brown sugar, orange zest and cinnamon in a small bowl until combined. Spread evenly over the dough.
- Roll the dough tightly along the long edge and pinch the edge closed. Trim both ends and then cut the dough into 9 slices. Arrange cut side down in the prepared pan.
- Bake for 30 minutes until golden.
- For the Orange Glaze
- Stir orange juice and icing sugar in a separate small bowl until smooth. Drizzle over warm rolls.
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