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Orange Pull-Apart Bread Dessert Recipe

This Orange Pull-Apart Bread is a delightful, citrus-infused dessert recipe perfect for any occasion. It features soft, yeasted layers of bread infused with sweet orange zest, topped with a luscious orange glaze, making it a perfect pull-apart treat.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Rising Time 2 hours
Course Dessert
Servings 1 loaf

Ingredients
  

For the Dough:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour plus more for rolling out the dough
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 packet (2¼ teaspoons) instant yeast
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ⅔ cup whole milk
  • ¼ cup ½ stick unsalted butter
  • 2 large eggs at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the Orange Filling:

  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons freshly grated orange zest from about 2 oranges
  • ¼ cup ½ stick unsalted butter, at room temperature

For the Orange Glaze:

  • 1½ cups confectioners' sugar
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice from about 1 orange
  • 1 tablespoon whole milk
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated orange zest optional, for topping

Instructions
 

Prepare the Dough:

  • In a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Mix on low speed until well-blended.
  • In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the milk and butter. Heat in the microwave for about 45 seconds until the butter melts and the mixture is warm (not hot).
  • Pour this warm milk mixture into the dry ingredients. Add eggs and vanilla extract.
  • Mix at low speed, then increase to medium, kneading for 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth, elastic, and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
  • Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.

Make the Orange Filling:

  • In a small bowl, mix the granulated sugar and orange zest. Use your fingers to gently rub the zest into the sugar until fragrant. Set aside.

Shape the Dough:

  • Line a 1-pound loaf pan with parchment paper.
  • Turn the risen dough onto a lightly floured surface. Roll it out into a 12 x 19-inch rectangle.
  • Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough.
  • Sprinkle the orange sugar mixture evenly over the buttered dough.
  • Cut the dough crosswise into 6 strips, each about 3 inches wide. Stack the strips on top of each other, then cut the stack into 6 equal pieces.
  • Place the dough stacks upright into the prepared loaf pan, like pages in a book.

Final Rise:

  • Cover the pan with a damp cloth and let the dough rise again for about 1 hour until puffy.

Bake the Bread:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Bake the loaf for 45 minutes until the top is golden brown and the bread is fully baked.
  • Remove from the oven and let the bread cool in the pan for a few minutes.

Prepare the Orange Glaze:

  • In a bowl, whisk together confectioners' sugar, freshly squeezed orange juice, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.

Glaze the Bread:

  • Carefully remove the bread from the pan using the parchment paper.
  • Drizzle the orange glaze over the warm bread. If desired, sprinkle additional orange zest on top.

Notes

  • For a fragrant twist, substitute vanilla extract with orange blossom water in the glaze for a floral flavor.
  • Ensure the milk is warm but not hot to prevent killing the yeast.
  • This bread is best served slightly warm but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Keyword Citrus Dessert Recipes, dessert recipes, easy dessert recipes, Homemade orange bread, Pull-apart bread recipe, Sweet orange bread
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