Slow Cooker Orange Sweet Rolls

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Soft, fluffy sweet rolls filled with a cinnamon-orange filling and topped with a sweet orange glaze. These orange sweet rolls take just over two hours to make and no proofing of the dough is required because everything happens in the slow cooker as the rolls bake. All you have to do is mix the dough and fill it with the filling. The rolls will rise during the slow bake in the slow cooker. The process couldn’t be easier!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Red Star®

Slow Cooker Orange Sweet Rolls on brown paper

As much as I love my cranberry orange sweet rolls, sometimes you just want a sweet roll without all the fuss. Right?

These orange sweet rolls solve all your woes when it comes to working with yeast dough. They are made in the slow cooker so they don’t require rise time.

Can you believe it? It’s become my favorite way to make things like slow cooker monkey bread.

Using the slow cooker method decreases the prep time so you can enjoy sweet rolls sooner. The rising and baking happen in the slow cooker in just two hours.

The dough for these sweet rolls comes together quickly and easily. Mix it up in a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment and you won’t need to knead it.

oranges and yeast packets on brown paper

Use quality yeast like Red Star Platinum Instant Yeast for best results with this recipe.

Once the dough comes together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and let it rest for about 10 minutes. This will allow the gluten to relax, making it easier to roll out.

Line a large slow cooker with parchment paper and spray the paper lightly with nonstick spray. This will prevent the rolls from sticking and it makes clean up a breeze.

overhead view of Orange Sweet Rolls in a slow cooker

Roll the dough out into a rectangle, brush it with melted butter, and sprinkle tons of cinnamon orange sugar over it. Roll the dough up to form a tight log and slice it into 10 to 12 pieces.

If your slow cooker is smaller, you may want fewer but longer slices.

Arrange the cut pieces in the bottom of the slow cooker and cook on high for two hours. The sides will turn a gorgeous golden brown.

The icing is a simple mix of confectioners’ sugar, orange zest, orange juice, and heavy cream. Drizzle it over the top while the rolls are still warm and enjoy.

Glazed Slow Cooker Orange Sweet Rolls on brown paper

Minimal work and big, bold flavor make these slow cooker orange sweet rolls a very special treat for breakfast.

Visit Red Star Yeast on Facebook to learn more about their products.

Slow Cooker Orange Sweet Rolls

4.84 from 12 votes
Slow Cooker Orange Sweet Rolls on brown paper
These are the best orange sweet rolls – soft, light, fluffy, with a hint of cinnamon orange flavor. Topped with a bold orange glaze, they’re completely irresistible. The dough is simple and doesn’t require time for rising because it all happens in the slow cooker. This is the easiest and most delicious sweet roll recipe ever!
Jen Sobjack
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Serving Size 10

Ingredients

For the rolls

  • 1 cup (240 ml) milk
  • ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar, plus 1 teaspoon, divided
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast, 1 packet
  • 2 ¾ – 3 ¼ cups (357 – 422 g) bread flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ cups (113 g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled, divided
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the filling

  • ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar, packed
  • ½ tablespoon orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the glaze

  • 1 ⅓ cups (170 g) confectioners' sugar
  • ½ teaspoon orange zest
  • 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
  • 3-4 tablespoons heavy cream

Instructions

  • Line a slow cooker with parchment paper and spray the paper lightly with nonstick cooking spray.

Make the dough

  • Heat milk and 1 teaspoon of the sugar in a small saucepan until it reaches 105°F. Remove from heat and stir in the yeast. Set aside for 5 minutes, until yeast has dissolved and the mixture begins to foam.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, stir together 2 cups of the flour, salt, and remaining sugar. Add the yeast mixture, ¼ cup of the butter, egg, and vanilla. Mix on low speed until combined. With the mixer on low speed, add the remaining flour, ¼ cup at a time, until a soft dough forms. You may not need all the flour. The dough will be ready when it no longer sticks to the sides of the mixing bowl. It should feel soft but not sticky. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and let rest for 10 minutes.

Make the filling

  • In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, orange zest, and cinnamon.
  • Roll the dough out into an 8×13 inch rectangle. Gently brush the remaining butter over the dough and sprinkle the filling evenly over the butter. Starting with the long side, tightly roll the dough into a log and pinch the seam to seal.
  • Place the roll, seam-side down, on a cutting board. Cut the dough into 10 to 12 equal pieces and arrange them inside the prepared slow cooker. Place a double layer of paper towel under the lid to prevent condensation from dripping onto the rolls.
  • Turn the slow cooker on high and cook for 2 hours or until the rolls are cooked through. Remove the rolls by lifting them out with the parchment paper.

Make the glaze

  • In a small bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar, orange zest, orange juice, and heavy cream. Drizzle the glaze over the rolls while they are still warm and serve right away.

Nutrition

Serving: 1roll | Calories: 377kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 257mg | Potassium: 131mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 423IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 1mg

The nutrition information provided is for convenience and as a courtesy only. It is not guaranteed to be accurate because nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For precise nutritional data use your preferred nutrition calculator and input the exact ingredients and brands you used in the recipe.

Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American

53 Comments

  1. Genius! You know I’m in love with my slow cooker, so this recipe sounds amazing for a holiday brunch!

    1. Yes! You’d love how easy this is, Blair!

  2. Platter Talk says:

    New idea for me. Will really come in handy on weekend AM’s and looks delicious. Thanks.

    1. I hope you give it a try!

  3. Aish Padihari says:

    I use my slow cooker only for soups or stews. Now i know, I can use it for cinnamon rolls as well. yay

  4. These orange rolls look divine!! I bet your house smelled incredible when it was cooking!!

  5. Making sweet rolls in a slow cooker is genius- also loving the orange flavor… would love to try the glaze with a dash of orange liqeur!

    1. Orange liqueur is such a great idea!

  6. Lane & Holly @ With Two Spoons says:

    Wow! these look amazing…and did I really read “Slow cooker”? I must be dreaming because this is my total heaven!

    1. Your life will be changed once you give it a try!

  7. Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry says:

    A great way to use the slow cooker. I haven’t heard of Red Star Yeast but will check out their fb page.

    1. Red Star is the best when it comes to quality yeast.

  8. jackie @ superman cooks says:

    These look delicious Jen! I think I may have been living under a rock, because I had no idea you could bake like this using a slow cooker! I must try it, because your rolls look soft, chewy and amazing!! Thanks for sharing.

    1. Yes, do try it. It’s so much easier this way!!

  9. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says:

    Sweet rolls in the slow cooker?! Sign me up! Such a great idea, Jen! I’ve never had an orange sweet roll before, so I definitely need to try this out. I bet your house smelled AMAZING when this was cooking!

    1. The rolls seem much lighter because of the bright citrus flavor. It’s easier to eat more than one though…

  10. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says:

    I have never tried cinnamon rolls in my slow cooker Jen, so I will definitely be giving this recipe a try! I love that it rises right in the slow cooker. And love the orange flavor!

    1. It’s so much easier that way!

    2. I agree with Mary Ann. I’ve never even thought of it! Can’t wait to try this. Sounds perfect for a Christmas morning breakfast.

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