Citrus Cream Cheese Sweet Rolls

Dripping in tangy citrus cream cheese frosting, these sweet rolls will make you get an immediate cavity after the first bite. But let me tell you, it is worth it. The doughy center part of the roll is my favorite part. The cracks and crevices of the roll are filled with the sweet gooey icing and make for the perfect start to a day. Yeah, its lots of carbs and yes this isn’t something you should eat everyday but once in awhile its ok to eat the fattening, doughy, full of gluten, sweet treat :)

Ingredients:

Dough:

1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast

1/2 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup buttermilk

1 cup warm water

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

2 eggs

3 cups all purpose flour

3 cups bread flour

Filling:

8 tablespoons butter (softened)

1 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons orange juice

4 tablespoons orange zest

1 tablespoon cinnamon

Orange Frosting:

8 Tablespoons butter (softened)

4 tablespoons orange juice

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

8 oz cream cheese (softened)

2 Tablespoons orange zest

3 cups powdered sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

In a stand mixer fit with a dough hook, add milk, water, sugar and yeast. Mix and then let sit for about 10 min, it will start bubbling when ready. Add the salt, eggs and flour. Mix for about 7 minutes. Once done, cover the bowl with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap and allow the dough to rest for about 10 min.

While the dough is resting, prepare the filling. In a mixing bowl, add the sugar, cinnamon, orange zest and orange juice. Stir until well incorporated.

Roll out dough onto a floured surface. Roll the dough into a 14”x18” rectangle. Using a butter knife or back of a spoon, lather the butter over the top of the dough. Sprinkle the orange zest sugar mixture on top of the butter.

Starting with the long side roll the dough into a log. Cut into 12 large rolls. Lay in a large casserole dish or a baking sheet. Both will have needed to been greased with cooking spray or by using parchment paper.

Bake for 25 min or until golden.

In a mixing bowl with a hand held mixer or using your stand mixer, beat the butter until smooth. Add the cinnamon, powdered sugar and orange zest. Beat for about 2 min, getting out any lumps. Add the cream cheese and mix until smooth.

Once you have removed the rolls, let them sit for about five min and then frost the rolls with tons of icing so it can get into all the nooks and crannies of the sweet roll. Eat for breakfast or dessert or a midnight snack. It is good all times of day.