Description
Enjoy pillowy soft cranberry rolls bursting with tart cranberries and fresh orange zest, topped with a luscious orange cream cheese glaze. Perfect for festive mornings or special brunches.
Ingredients
- Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2¼ teaspoon active dry yeast (1 packet)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¾ cup whole milk, warmed
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Cranberry Orange Filling:
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- Zest of 1 orange
- 2 tablespoon orange juice
- Pinch of salt
- Orange Cream Cheese Glaze:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoon orange juice
- Zest of ½ orange
Instructions
- Proof Yeast: Warm the milk to 100–110°F. Stir in 1 tablespoon sugar and yeast. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Make Dough: In a large bowl, whisk flour, remaining sugar, and salt. In another bowl, whisk egg, melted butter, and vanilla. Combine with flour mixture and yeast mixture to form a shaggy dough. Knead on floured surface for 8–10 minutes (or with mixer for 5–6 minutes) until smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled, 1 to 1½ hours.
- Make Filling: In a saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, orange zest, orange juice, and salt. Simmer over medium heat 10–15 minutes until cranberries burst and mixture thickens. Let cool completely.
- Assemble Rolls: Roll dough into a 12×16-inch rectangle. Spread cooled filling over dough, leaving ½-inch border. Roll tightly from long edge and slice into 12 equal pieces. Place in greased or parchment-lined 9×13-inch pan.
- Second Rise: Cover and let rise 30–45 minutes until puffy.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls 25–30 minutes until golden brown. Let cool in pan 10–15 minutes.
- Make Glaze: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, orange juice, zest, and pinch of salt. Beat until fluffy, adjusting consistency with more juice or sugar if needed.
- Glaze and Serve: Spread glaze over warm rolls. Garnish with extra orange zest if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Use dental floss for clean roll slices without squishing.
- Make ahead: prepare rolls and refrigerate before second rise; bake in the morning.
- Filling can be made a day in advance and stored in the fridge.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 302
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
