Go Back
morning buns
Print

Flaky, Buttery Morning Buns

Delicious morning buns made with an easy Danish dough, and filled with orange and cinnamon. Glazed in a cream cheese icing with more orange flavor.
Course baking, Breakfast, sugar buns
Cuisine American
Diet Low Salt
Keyword danish, morning buns, orange
Servings 10 buns
Author Sarah Kieffer

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup whole milk warm (100-110F)
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 2 large egg yolks room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups (355g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) | 57g unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) | 170g unsalted butter, cold, cut in 1/2-inch pieces

Filling

  • ½ cup (99g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (99g) brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cinnamon
  • Zest of 2 oranges
  • Pinch salt
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled

Icing

  • 2 ounces cream cheese
  • Pinch salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2-4 tablespoons orange juice
  • 2 cups (226g) confectioner’s sugar

Instructions

For the easy Danish dough

  • Grease a large bowl.
  • In a large liquid measuring cup, combine the milk, egg, yolks, and vanilla.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle, mix the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt on low. Add the room temperature butter and mix on low until it is incorporated into the flour and no pieces are visible. Add the cold butter and mix on low, until it is broken down and smashed a bit, but still in 1/2-inch pieces. Add the milk mixture and mix on low until combined. The dough will be very sticky and there will be visible lumps of butter. Using a spatula, scrape the dough into the prepared bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight, or up to 3 days.
  • The next morning, transfer the dough to a well-floured work surface. Knead 10-12 times, until the dough forms a ball. Cover the top lightly with flour and cover with a tea towel, let rest until it comes to room temperature. Pat the dough into a 6-inch square and roll into a 16 by 20-inch rectangle. If the dough sticks at all, sprinkle more flour underneath it. Brush any excess flour off the dough, and, using a bench scraper, fold the short ends of the dough over the middle to made three layers, similar to a business letter. This is the first turn.
  • Flip the dough over (seam side down) and roll into an 8 x 16-inch rectangle. Fold the short ends over the middle, business letter style. Repeat the steps again, for a total of four turns.
  • On the last turn, gently use the rolling pin to compress the layers together slightly. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour before using or keep refrigerated for 2 days.

To assemble

  • Butter ten 3 x 2-inch soufflé molds (see note above about soufflé mold specifics). Line the bottom of each mold with parchment paper, and then generously coat with granulated sugar, tapping out any excess. Place the molds on a baking sheet.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the sugars, cinnamon, orange zest, and salt.
  • Roll the dough into a 16 x 12-inch rectangle. Brush the dough with the melted butter and sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the top, pressing it lightly into the butter so it adheres. Starting at the long side, roll the dough into a tight cylinder. Pinch the seam gently to seal it and position the dough seam side down. Use a scissors or a sharp knife to cut the dough into 10 equal pieces. Transfer the pieces to the prepared pans and place them cut side up. Cover the pans loosely with plastic wrap and let the dough rise until doubled, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
  • Adjust the oven rack to the middle lower position. Preheat the oven to 375F.
  • Remove the plastic and bake 22 to 30 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until the rolls are golden brown. While the rolls are baking prepare the icing.
  • Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let the morning buns cool for a few minutes. Use a kitchen towel or oven mitts to pick up each soufflé mold, then run a knife carefully around the edges of the pan, and flip the roll onto a wire rack. Carefully put the roll right side up, and repeat with the remaining rolls. Let cool for 5 minutes, then place a piece of parchment paper under the wire rack. Pour the icing over each roll. Serve warm.

For the icing

  • Place the cream cheese in a small bowl. Add the salt, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons orange juice and mix until smooth. Add the confectioner’s sugar and mix until combined, adding more orange juice if needed, until the desired consistency is reached.