30 Minute Orange Twists are a semi-homemade orange rolls are a favorite no fuss morning pastry that always impresses guests! They are pretty, bursting with orange flavor, and quick!
This past year I have been a guest contributor on a blog called Ella Claire Inspired. Kristin has amazing decorating, baking, and DIY talents. You’ve gotta go check her blog out!
I posted these Orange Twists on her blog last spring, around Mother’s Day. I thought they would be an easy breakfast in bed idea that Dads and kids could handle. Since then, I’ve been making them for special occasions, when I want to impress guests, and everyday breakfasts. Since they are impressive, delicious, and simple, I thought I better share them with you in time for the holidays! Enjoy!
Breakfast happens to be one of my favorite meals of the day! In fact, I could easily be convinced to eat breakfast for dinner a few nights a week. At my house, that meal is called “brinner”!
Mornings are the busiest time of the day for most moms. On top of finding homework, tying shoes, packing lunches, reminding the boys to brush their teeth, and watching for the bus…I’m supposed to create a great breakfast. Make ahead and quick breakfast ideas save my life, and my sanity!
30 Minute Orange Twists are not only quick to throw together but are insanely delicious! The smell of these little beauties wafting through the air gives my boys a reason to get out of bed!
You are going to be impressed with how simple these are to make. In fact, they are so simple and yummy I’m planning to make them for Easter brunch and Mother’s Day (Yes, I do the cooking on Mother’s Day). Take a can of biscuits and cut them in half.
Roll each half into ropes. Each rope will be about 6-8 inches long.
Tie each rope in a loose knot, just like the first knot you tie when you tie your shoe. Tuck the ends under.
Brush the top of each knot with melted butter. Then dip it in orange sugar mixture. Bake for about 10 minutes.
After they come out of the oven they will be buttery, flaky, and golden brown. One of my boys begged me to let him lick the sugar off the top. I convinced him that good things come to those who wait!
…Good things like orange glaze brushed on a warm sweet roll!
Of course, Orange Twists are best when they are still warm and dripping with glaze! If you know you are going to have a super busy morning you can always make them the night before and warm them up for a few seconds before serving them. You are going to be coming back to this recipe morning after morning! These cute little knots are that good!
30 Minute Orange Knots
Ingredients
- Knots:
- 1 16 oz. can refrigerated biscuits
- 3 T. butter melted
- 2 T. granulated sugar
- 1 T. orange zest
- Glaze:
- ½ c. powdered sugar
- 1 T. freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 tsp. orange zest
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix granulated sugar 1 T. of orange zest together in a shallow bowl.
- Cut each biscuit in half. Roll each biscuit into a rope. Tie each rope in a loose knot. Tuck the ends underneath the knot. Place on parchment paper lined baking sheet.
- Brush tops of knots with melted butter. Dip buttered tops in orange sugar mixture.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes. Watch carefully so the sugar doesn’t burn.
- While knots are baking make an orange glaze. Mix powdered sugar, orange juice and remaining orange zest together.
- While knots are still warm brush them with orange glaze.
- Let cool for about 2-3 minutes. Serve.
- You can store Orange Knots in an airtight container and serve the next day. They are best warmed in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds.
“This post was originally published at Ella Claire on March 17, 2015″
Kathleen says
Made these tonight . Pretty good. Mild orange flavor. Next time I will add more zest to sugar and more zest in glaze.
Amy Engberson says
The orange flavor is mild. Of course, you can add extra orange zest to amp up the flavor!
Brandie says
These are one of our new family favorites! They are easy to make and soo good!
Amy Engberson says
Quick and easy is the best! I’m glad you love them!
Snibb says
Outrageously good, fast and simple. I was making this for the kids coming over but not sure they’ll last. I can’t stop eating the!. Thank you-great idea and great recipe.
Amy Engberson says
I love it! They’re so easy to make you might have to make a few batches, one for yourself and one for the kids! Enjoy!
LC says
Yes…where is the actual recipe??
Amy Engberson says
If you scroll to the very bottom you will find it. There is also a button at the top of the page that says “Jump to Recipe” if it’s not showing up on your end let me know and I’ll email the recipe to you!
YouCharlene Wiley show pictures of wonderful looking recipes but then never can find the recipe I search and search and you’ll never find it. The orange 30 minute rolls look delicious but I Charlenecan’tCharlene find the recipe!!Charlene says
You show pictures of wonderful looking recipes but then never can find the recipe I search and search and you’ll never find it. The orange 30 minute rolls look delicious but I can’t find the recipe!!
Amy Engberson says
I just edited the post so the recipe is on the first page. It used to be so confusing! Scroll to the very bottom of the page and a printable recipe will be there! Let me know ift’s not showing up for you and I’ll be sure to email it to you1 These are delicious and EASY!
Jodi says
Made these for our Easter breakfast yesterday and they were amazing!! I didn’t have biscuits so I used 1 can of crescent rolls and cut the recipe in half (baked 9 min.). Scrumptious…a new favorite.
Amy Engberson says
That’s a great idea! I love substituting ingredients for whatever I have on hand! Glad you enjoyed them!
Shawn T says
My family loved these. I would either double the icing recipe or thin it out. Having said this; I used half and half and freshly squeezed orange juice to cut the acid and add creaminess. Also added 1/2 T melted butter and 1/8 tsp vanilla to deepen flavors. Will definitely make them again. ❤️
Amy Engberson says
Sounds delicious! This time of the year is perfect for orange and citrus!
Nicole says
I believe something is missing from the orange knots recipe?
The picture shows a glaze but the recipe ends with them coming out of the oven.
Amy Engberson says
Hi Nicole! Steps 6 and 7 gives instructions for making the glaze! 6. While knots are baking make an orange glaze. Mix powdered sugar, orange juice and remaining orange zest together.
7. While knots are still warm brush them with orange glaze. Hopefully that helps!
Glenna says
Hello Amy, I am going to make these tomorrow. How many inches long do you roll them out? Can you post a picture of the loose knot? I’m worried about making them too long and loose. Can’t wait to try these. I might just make them tonight to test them.
PS: I have an orange tree and always looking for ways to use them.
Amy Engberson says
Glenna I’m so jealous of your orange tree! My backyard is full of 4 foot snow drifts and how I’d love to go pick and orange out there right now! I think you’ll love these Orange Twists! I’m not sure what happened to the pictures that should have been showing up on on the post. I just went in and fixed them so hopefully you can see the step by step pictures now. If not let me know and I’ll be sure to get them to you. Basically you will roll each half of a biscuit into about a 6 inch rope. Then tie each one in the same knot as you would in the first knot you use when you tie your shoe. Then tuck the ends underneath. Like I said, you should be able to see a picture now. Hopefully you love them as much as we do! Enjoy those oranges!
Glenna says
Amy, I made them last night and they turned out very nice. I came back here saw all the photos. I’m making them again in the morning for a brunch that I will serve to 8 friends. I used to buy orange rolls but I always felt guilty since I have that tree. I wish you were nearby so I could share my citrus with you. These rolls look just like the ones I would get at the bakery, and they taste better because I made them.
Amy Engberson says
What a fun friend you are! I love that you are making time for the most important things in life. I hope your friends love these Orange Twists as much as we do! It would be lovely to come grab some freshly pickes oranges from you! I’d love that!
Glenna says
The orange knots were a big hit. I shared the recipe link with one of the girls. I also posted a photo of them on the I tried it link. I’m sure I’ll be making these all the time.
Amy Engberson says
Yay! Glad you enjoyed them! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Cynthia Massaro says
Has anyone tried to make these from frozen bread or pizza dough?
Amy Engberson says
I haven’t tried that yet but I think it would be fantastic! Let me know if you try it!
Helen says
question—can these knots be made ahead and frozen before or after baking? how do you make orange sugar mixture?thanks.
Amy Engberson says
I’ve never made them and frozen them before because they are so quick and easy to make. I’m guessing it would work just fine though. Let me know if you try it! The directions for making the orange sugar are in step 2 of the instructions. Basically you mix sugar and orange zest together! Happy Baking!
Candace says
In the picture u have a glaze on them yet it’s not mentioned in the recipe
Amy Engberson says
The glaze ingredients are listed at the very bottom of the ingredients list. The instructions for making the glaze are on number 6 in the instructions section. Let me know if you can’t find it! (The recipe is on the last page of the post. You will have to click through a few pages to get the recipe.)
Lynn says
I love you comments about your life you wrote above. I have the same language of love for food. I have spent hours preparing dishes in the past only for them to be devoured in minutes. and one wonders why?? creativity and love for me. I’ve also had people tell me many times I should open a restaurant and I’ve always said no. I want to cook because I want to..not because I have to…big difference.
Amy Engberson says
Baking and cooking can be such a creative outlet! I agree, cooking is more fun when it’s not a job. And if you were owned a restaurant you would be cooking the same few items listed on the menu over and over, not much room for new creativity there! I bet your family and friends love your hobby! I know mine do!
Tracy says
I made these tonight. They are super easy and delicious!
Amy Engberson says
Super easy and delicious is the best combination! Glad they worked out for you!
Eileen says
Can I make these the night before anhave them still taste fresh ?
Amy Engberson says
I have made them the night before. I microwave them for a few seconds before serving just to freshen them up a bit!
Robbie says
Looks yummy! What kind of refrigerated biscuits? Meaning flaky, original, buttermilk, homestyle?
Amy Engberson says
I used flaky, however I think you could use any variety and they would still make delicious orange twists!
Kayla says
The finished product looks glazed so I was wondering if I was missing a step. If not, my eyes must just be playing tricks on me. Look super yummy!
Amy Engberson says
You are right!They are glazed because what is a sweet bread without glaze right? The glaze ingredients are listed in the recipe and the instructions are in step 6! Good luck!
Katie says
Just made these for brunch as my boyfriend likes the pillsbury version (yuck) so thought I’d give it a try! Yum! I’m not a great zester but overall easy, fast and delish. I used the Pillsbury Simply refrigerator biscuits and zest from a blood orange and baked for 10 min. I’ll be making again.
Amy Engberson says
I’m glad you like them! My microplane zester makes zesting and orange easy and fun! Glad you enjoyed them!
Darla says
I pinned this recipe back in November. I also made it. Delicious and so easy. Since then it’s been repinned from my board thousands and thousands of times. Yes, thousands!
Denise Routson says
Amy, these look amazing! I definitely need to make these and report back!!!
Amy Engberson says
These are little gems are the easiest thing in the world to make! You are gonna love them!