How to Make Luscious Orange-Cranberry Sweet Rolls - A Step-by-Step Guide

There's nothing quite like the irresistible combination of citrusy orange and tart cranberry. And when you add these flavors to a sweet, pillowy roll, you have a recipe that is sure to delight your taste buds. Luscious Orange-Cranberry Sweet Rolls are the perfect treat for a leisurely weekend breakfast or a cozy brunch with friends and family.

Imagine waking up to the aroma of freshly baked sweet rolls wafting through your kitchen. With each bite, you'll experience the bright, zesty n...

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup milk, warmed
  • 1 tablespoon instant yeast
  • 1 tablespoon white sugar
  • ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1 egg
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest
  • 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ⅓ cup dried cranberries
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 2 tablespoons grated orange zest, or more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • ½ (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest

Information

  • Prep Time: 30 mins
  • Cook Time: 25 mins
  • Additional Time: 2 hrs 20 mins
  • Total Time: 3 hrs 15 mins
  • Servings: 12
  • Yield: 12 rolls

  • Place warm milk in the bowl of stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. Add yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar. Let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes. Add orange juice, egg, butter, and orange zest to the bowl. Mix for 1 minute on low speed.
  • Add 3 cups flour and salt. Start mixing on low speed for 1 minute, then increase speed to medium for 2 minutes. Add dried cranberries. Mix in remaining 1/4 cup flour if needed; dough will be sticky.
  • Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover, and allow to rise for 1 1/2 hours.
  • While dough is rising, prepare the filling. Pour sugar into a medium bowl. Add orange zest and cardamom; work into the sugar with your fingers. Add softened butter and mix thoroughly. Set aside.
  • Turn dough out onto a large surface sprinkled with flour. Sprinkle more flour across the top. Roll into a large rectangle using a rolling pin. Spread the filling evenly over the rectangle. Roll up tightly from 1 long side. Cut log in half using a serrated knife. Cut each half in two so that the log is now quartered. Cut each quarter into 3, for 12 rolls total.
  • Place rolls into a lightly greased pan. Cover and let rise for 45 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place the pan of rolls on a foil-lined baking sheet in case any of the filling spills over.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until golden, about 25 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, make the orange icing. Whip cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl with an electric mixer. Add powdered sugar and mix for 1 minute. Add orange juice and zest. Continue mixing until icing is smooth and spreadable. Place in the refrigerator until rolls are ready.
  • Remove rolls from the oven and cover immediately with icing.
  • Nutrition

    429 cal.

    • Total Fat: 19g
    • Saturated Fat: 12g
    • Cholesterol: 66mg
    • Sodium: 239mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 60g
    • Dietary Fiber: 2g
    • Total Sugars: 32g
    • Protein: 6g
    • Vitamin C: 8mg
    • Calcium: 48mg
    • Iron: 2mg
    • Potassium: 139mg