Cranberry Orange Sweet Rolls Recipe

Introduction

Cranberry Orange Sweet Rolls offer a delightful balance of tart cranberries and sweet, citrusy orange flavor, all wrapped in a soft, fluffy dough. These rolls are the perfect treat for breakfast, brunch, or a festive holiday gathering. Their bright, zesty taste paired with the rich buttery dough makes them an irresistible choice for anyone who loves a sweet, fruity pastry.

These rolls are filled with a cranberry-orange filling that’s sweetened with sugar and brightened by fresh orange zest. After baking, they’re topped with a creamy, tangy glaze that elevates the flavors and adds a beautiful finishing touch. Whether you’re making them for the holidays or simply craving a cozy, indulgent breakfast, Cranberry Orange Sweet Rolls are sure to satisfy.

This recipe will guide you through every step of the process, offering tips for success and ideas for customizing these rolls to suit your taste.

Why You’ll Love Cranberry Orange Sweet Rolls

• Perfect Balance of Sweet and Tart: The combination of sweet dough with tart cranberries and citrusy orange creates a flavor profile that’s both refreshing and indulgent.
• Soft, Fluffy Texture: The dough is light, airy, and pillowy, providing a perfect contrast to the sweet filling and tangy glaze.
• Visually Stunning: The rolls are topped with a beautiful, shiny orange glaze and studded with cranberries, making them perfect for special occasions or as a thoughtful gift.
• Ideal for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a holiday breakfast, a weekend brunch, or just a sweet snack, these rolls are the perfect addition to any meal or gathering.
• Simple, Accessible Ingredients: This recipe uses basic ingredients like flour, sugar, butter, and fresh cranberries, making it easy to prepare without needing any special equipment.

Preparation and Cooking Time

• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Preparation Time: 45 minutes
• Cooking Time: 25-30 minutes
• Servings: Approximately 12 rolls
• Calories per Serving: Around 250-300 calories per roll, depending on ingredients and portion sizes.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

• Calories: 250-300 kcal
• Fat: 10-12g
• Carbohydrates: 35-40g
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 20-22g

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup whole milk, warmed
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 3 ½ to 4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cranberry Orange Filling:

• 1 ½ cups fresh cranberries (or frozen, thawed)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons orange zest (about 2 oranges)
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (to thicken)

For the Orange Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Special Equipment

Making Cranberry Orange Sweet Rolls doesn’t require too much specialized equipment, but the following tools can make the process more efficient:

1. Stand Mixer with Dough Hook: While you can mix by hand, using a stand mixer equipped with a dough hook makes kneading the dough much easier and faster, ensuring that it’s soft and elastic.
2. Rolling Pin: A rolling pin is essential for rolling out the dough into a large rectangle before spreading the filling. It ensures an even thickness for the dough, leading to uniform rolls.
3. 9×13-inch Baking Pan: A 9×13-inch pan provides the perfect size for these sweet rolls, allowing them to bake evenly and rise together, forming soft, pull-apart rolls.
4. Shallow Bowls: A few shallow bowls will come in handy for mixing the cranberry filling ingredients and for preparing the glaze.
5. Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements are key to this recipe’s success. Use standard measuring cups and spoons to ensure you get the right proportions of flour, sugar, and other ingredients.
6. Cooling Rack: After the rolls are baked and glazed, a cooling rack is essential for ensuring they cool properly and don’t become soggy on the bottom.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough

Begin by activating the yeast. In a small bowl, combine the warm milk (around 110°F/43°C) with the sugar and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy. If the mixture doesn’t bubble, your yeast may be expired, and it’s best to try again with fresh yeast.

In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine 3 ½ cups of flour and salt. Make a well in the center and add the activated yeast mixture, softened butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Using the dough hook attachment (or a wooden spoon if mixing by hand), stir the ingredients together until they form a dough.

2. Knead the Dough

Knead the dough for about 6-8 minutes (if using a stand mixer) or 10 minutes by hand, adding more flour as necessary until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. It should be slightly sticky but should not stick to your hands or the sides of the bowl.

Once the dough is kneaded, form it into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.

3. Prepare the Cranberry Orange Filling

While the dough is rising, prepare the cranberry-orange filling. In a medium saucepan, combine the fresh cranberries, sugar, orange zest, and orange juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries begin to pop and break down, about 5-7 minutes.

Once the cranberries have softened, whisk in the cornstarch to thicken the mixture. Continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes until the filling is thickened. Remove from heat and let it cool while the dough rises.

4. Roll Out the Dough

Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll it out into a large rectangle, about 12×18 inches in size. Aim for an even thickness across the entire surface.

5. Spread the Filling

Spread the cooled cranberry-orange filling evenly over the rolled-out dough, leaving a small border along the edges. Be generous with the filling, ensuring it covers the entire surface for a burst of flavor in every bite.

6. Roll and Slice the Dough

Starting at one long edge, carefully roll the dough into a tight log. Once rolled, use a sharp knife to slice the dough into 12 equal rolls. If the dough is sticky, you can use a piece of dental floss to slice the rolls cleanly.

7. Place the Rolls in the Baking Pan

Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or non-stick spray. Arrange the rolls in the prepared pan, spacing them closely together. This helps them rise upwards instead of outwards, creating the signature soft, pull-apart texture.

Cover the pan with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and allow the rolls to rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until they’ve doubled in size.

8. Preheat the Oven and Bake the Rolls

While the rolls are rising, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once the rolls have risen, bake them for 25-30 minutes, or until they’re golden brown on top and fully cooked through.

To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of a roll—it should come out clean. The rolls should also be slightly firm to the touch and have a golden, slightly crispy exterior.

9. Prepare the Orange Glaze

While the rolls bake, prepare the orange glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, orange juice, melted butter, and vanilla extract. The glaze should be smooth and pourable. If it’s too thick, add a little more orange juice until you reach the desired consistency.

10. Glaze the Rolls

Once the rolls are finished baking, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool for 5-10 minutes in the pan. While they’re still warm, drizzle the orange glaze generously over the rolls. The glaze will soak into the rolls slightly, adding sweetness and citrus flavor.

11. Cool and Serve

Allow the rolls to cool slightly before serving. These Cranberry Orange Sweet Rolls are best enjoyed warm, but they can also be stored in an airtight container for a few days.

Tips for Perfect Cranberry Orange Sweet Rolls

• Fresh or Frozen Cranberries: Fresh cranberries are ideal, but you can also use frozen cranberries. Just make sure to thaw them before using, and consider draining any excess liquid.
• Don’t Overwork the Dough: When kneading the dough, be gentle and avoid overworking it. Overworking the dough can result in dense, tough rolls.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure the butter and eggs are at room temperature before adding them to the dough. Cold ingredients will result in a less smooth, evenly mixed dough.
• Adjust the Glaze: If you prefer a thicker glaze, use less orange juice. For a thinner glaze, add more orange juice for a more drizzle-like consistency.

Variations of Cranberry Orange Sweet Rolls

• Cinnamon-Sugar Cranberry Orange Rolls: Add a sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar to the cranberry filling for an extra layer of warmth and sweetness.
• Pecan Cranberry Orange Rolls: Add chopped pecans to the cranberry filling for added texture and a nutty flavor.
• Cream Cheese Filling: For a creamier filling, blend 8 oz of cream cheese with ¼ cup of sugar and spread it over the dough before adding the cranberry mixture.

Storage and Shelf Life

Cranberry Orange Sweet Rolls are best enjoyed fresh, but they can be stored for later. Store the cooled rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

For longer storage, freeze the rolls. Allow them to cool completely, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store them in a freezer-safe bag. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. To reheat, microwave for 20-30 seconds or bake at 300°F (150°C) for 10-15 minutes.

Side Dishes and Pairings for Cranberry Orange Sweet Rolls

Pair these rolls with complementary beverages and dishes:

• Coffee or Tea: These rolls pair perfectly with a hot cup of coffee or a mug of herbal tea, making them an ideal choice for breakfast or brunch.
• Scrambled Eggs: For a well-rounded breakfast, serve these rolls with scrambled eggs or a vegetable frittata.
• Fruit Salad: A refreshing fruit salad balances the richness of the rolls and complements their citrus flavor.
• Yogurt: Serve the rolls with a dollop of Greek yogurt for a creamy contrast that enhances the sweetness of the rolls.

Print

Conclusion

Cranberry Orange Sweet Rolls offer a perfect blend of tart cranberries and sweet orange in a soft, fluffy dough, topped with a tangy orange glaze. Whether you’re making them for a holiday brunch, a family gathering, or a special treat, these rolls are sure to delight. With their delicious flavor, tender texture, and festive appearance, they’ll quickly become a favorite in your baking repertoire.