Orange Chocolate Rolls are a delightful treat that perfectly blend the zesty brightness of oranges with the rich, indulgent flavor of chocolate. As I embarked on creating this recipe, I was inspired by the classic combination of citrus and cocoa that has delighted taste buds for generations. These rolls not only offer a unique twist on traditional cinnamon rolls but also bring a touch of elegance to any breakfast or dessert table.
People love Orange Chocolate Rolls for their irresistible taste and texture; the soft, fluffy dough envelops a luscious filling that melts in your mouth. The sweet and tangy notes of orange zest harmonize beautifully with the smooth chocolate, creating a symphony of flavors that is both comforting and refreshing. Plus, they are surprisingly easy to make, making them a perfect choice for both novice bakers and seasoned pros alike. Join me as we dive into this scrumptious recipe that is sure to become a favorite in your home!

Ingredients:
- For the Dough:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup whole milk, warmed to about 110°F (43°C)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- Zest of 1 large orange
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparing the Dough
Lets start by making the dough, which is the foundation of our delicious Orange Chocolate Rolls. Follow these steps:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the top and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy. This means the yeast is active and ready to go!
- Once the yeast is frothy, add the melted butter and eggs to the mixture. Whisk until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring with a wooden spoon or spatula until a shaggy dough forms.
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead it for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle a little more flour as needed.
- Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
Preparing the Filling
While the dough is rising, lets prepare the filling that will give our rolls that delightful orange and chocolate flavor.
- In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Mix until it forms a smooth paste.
- Add the orange zest and fresh orange juice to the mixture, stirring until everything is well combined. This will add a lovely citrus flavor to the filling.
- Finally, fold in the dark chocolate chips. Set the filling aside while the dough continues to rise.
Rolling and Assembling
Once the dough has risen, its time to roll it out and assemble our delicious rolls!
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- After the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Transfer it to a floured surface and roll it out into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Aim for a size of approximately 16×24 inches.
- Spread the prepared filling evenly over the rolled-out dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Starting from one long edge, carefully roll the dough tightly into a log. Pinch the seam to seal it.
- Using a sharp knife or a piece of dental floss, slice the log into 12 equal pieces. Place the rolls cut-side up in the greased baking dish, leaving a little space between each roll.
- Cover the rolls with a kitchen towel and let them rise again for about 30-45 minutes, or until they have puffed up.
Baking the Rolls
Now that our rolls are assembled and have risen, its time to bake them to golden perfection!
- Once the rolls have risen, place the baking dish in the preheated oven and

Conclusion:
In summary, these Orange Chocolate Rolls are an absolute must-try for anyone looking to elevate their baking game. The delightful combination of zesty orange and rich chocolate creates a flavor profile that is both refreshing and indulgent, making these rolls perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even as a sweet treat to enjoy with your afternoon coffee. For serving suggestions, consider drizzling a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and orange juice over the top for an extra touch of sweetness. You can also experiment with variations by adding nuts, such as chopped walnuts or pecans, for added crunch, or even swapping out the chocolate for white chocolate or a different type of citrus zest to suit your taste. I encourage you to give this recipe a try and experience the joy of baking these delicious Orange Chocolate Rolls. Once you do, I would love to hear about your experience! Share your thoughts, any tweaks you made, or even a photo of your creation. Lets spread the love for these delightful rolls together! Happy baking! Print
Orange Chocolate Rolls: A Delicious Recipe for Sweet Indulgence
- Total Time: 180 minutes
- Yield: 12 rolls 1x
Description
Enjoy these Orange Chocolate Rolls, featuring a soft dough filled with rich chocolate and zesty orange, topped with a sweet glaze. Perfect for breakfast or dessert!
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup whole milk, warmed to about 110°F (43°C)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- Zest of 1 large orange
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the top and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- Add the melted butter and eggs to the mixture. Whisk until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until a shaggy dough forms.
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. If sticky, sprinkle more flour as needed.
- Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
- In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Mix until smooth.
- Add the orange zest and fresh orange juice, stirring until well combined. Fold in the dark chocolate chips and set aside.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Punch down the risen dough and roll it out into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick (approximately 16×24 inches).
- Spread the filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border.
- Roll the dough tightly from one long edge and pinch the seam to seal.
- Slice the log into 12 equal pieces and place them cut-side up in the greased baking dish, leaving space between each roll.
- Cover with a kitchen towel and let rise for 30-45 minutes until puffed.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Let cool in the baking dish for about 10 minutes.
- Whisk together the powdered sugar, fresh orange juice, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Drizzle the glaze over the warm rolls.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- For a richer flavor, you can use milk chocolate chips instead of dark chocolate.
- These rolls are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Feel free to experiment with different fillings, such as nuts or dried fruits!
- Prep Time: 150 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes