Cozy Grandma’s Overnight Orange Roll Casserole

by

Grandma’s Overnight Orange Roll Casserole

This recipe is designed to be prepped before you go to bed, allowing the dough to “relax” and soak up the orange cream overnight.

CategoryDetails
Prep Time10 minutes
Bake Time25–30 minutes
Total Time35 mins + Overnight
Yield8 servings

🍴 Ingredients

  • The Dough:
    • 2 cans (12.4 oz each) Refrigerated Orange Rolls with icing (like Pillsbury)
  • The “Cream Soak”:
    • 1/3 cup Heavy cream
    • ¼ cup Unsalted butter, melted
  • The Zesty Punch:
    • 1/3 cup Granulated sugar
    • 1 tbsp Fresh orange zest (about 1 large orange)
    • Optional: ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. The Quarter Cut

  • Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  • Open the orange roll cans and set the icing containers aside in the fridge.
  • Cut each individual orange roll into quarters. Scatter the pieces evenly in the baking dish.

2. The Cream Bath

  • Whisk together the heavy cream and melted butter.
  • Pour this mixture over the dough pieces. This is the secret to the “Crock-Pot” style softness—the cream prevents the rolls from drying out and creates a custard-like bottom.

3. The Zest Rub

  • In a small bowl, combine the sugar and orange zest. Rub them together until the sugar is fragrant and moist.
  • Sprinkle this orange sugar (and the nuts, if using) over the top of the casserole.

4. The Overnight Sleep

  • Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator overnight (or for at least 4 hours). This slow rise allows the flavors to meld and the dough to become incredibly tender.

5. The Morning Bake

  • Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F).
  • Remove the plastic wrap and bake for 25–30 minutes until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
  • The Glaze Finish: While the casserole is still hot, warm up the reserved icing in the microwave for 10 seconds and drizzle it generously over the entire dish.

The “Adult” Twist: If you want a more “Mimosa” style flavor, add 1 tablespoon of Grand Marnier or a similar orange liqueur to the icing before drizzling. It adds a sophisticated depth that balances the sweetness.

Print 🖨

Leave a Comment