Description
These Cranberry Orange Sweet Rolls are a delightful blend of tart cranberries, bright orange zest, and sweet dough, finished with a luscious orange glaze. Perfect for holiday brunches or any special occasion, these rolls offer a delicious balance of tangy, sweet, and aromatic flavors wrapped in a tender, buttery dough.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 1 cup milk
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 packet rapid rise (or instant) yeast
- 4 cups flour
- 1/3 cup white sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 large egg
Orange Filling
- 1/3 cup butter, room temperature
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
Cranberry Filling
- 2 cups cranberries
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 orange, zested and juiced
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon clove
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Orange Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1/2 tablespoon orange zest
Instructions
- Prepare Cranberry Filling: Combine all cranberry filling ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently until the cranberries burst (3-5 minutes). Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 10-15 minutes until thickened.
- Activate Yeast: Melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl, add milk and heat until warm but not hot. Stir in yeast packet and let sit for 1-2 minutes to activate.
- Make Dough: In a mixer bowl, combine dry ingredients (use only 3 cups flour initially). Pour in the milk, butter, and yeast mixture, add the egg, and beat on medium-high with paddle attachment until incorporated. Mix in orange zest.
- Knead Dough: Switch to dough hook attachment and gradually add remaining 1 cup flour. Beat until fully incorporated and then continue kneading for 5 minutes to develop gluten.
- Prepare Orange Filling: Mix all orange filling ingredients in a small bowl until well combined.
- Assemble Rolls: Roll dough into a long rectangle on a floured surface. Evenly spread orange filling over dough, then spoon cranberry filling on top, leaving edges clear. Roll dough tightly into a log, sealing the edge to prevent filling leakage.
- Cut and Rise: Slice the rolled dough into 1 1/2 inch rolls. Place in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, cover with towel, and let rise in a warm area for 1 hour until puffy.
- Bake Rolls: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls for 20-30 minutes until tops are golden brown and centers are cooked through.
- Make Glaze: Combine melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract with powdered sugar using an electric mixer on high. Add orange juice and zest; mix until just incorporated.
- Serve: Drizzle orange glaze over warm rolls. Serve warm or at room temperature for best flavor. Enjoy!
Notes
- Adapted from Our Best Bites.
- Make Ahead Instructions: Dough can be refrigerated overnight either before baking or after rising. Allow extra rising time (2-3 hours) if starting chilled.
- Freezing: Rolls can be frozen baked or unbaked. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before baking or reheating. Allow extra rising time for frozen unbaked rolls (3-4 hours).
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast / Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cranberry rolls, orange sweet rolls, holiday brunch, sweet yeast rolls, citrus glaze, festive breakfast
