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Freshly baked cranberry orange sweet rolls topped with glaze

Cranberry Orange Sweet Rolls

Delightful cranberry orange sweet rolls perfect for holiday breakfasts, combining tart cranberries and zesty oranges in a fluffy dough.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 12 rolls
Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine: American, Holiday
Calories: 290
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Dough
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • 1 cup whole milk, warmed
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp salt
For the Filling
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 large orange, zest
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
For the Glaze
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2-3 tbsp fresh orange juice
  • 1 small orange, zest (for flavor)

Method
 

Preparation of Dough
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy.
  2. Add the melted butter, sugar, eggs, and salt to the yeast mixture, then mix until fully combined.
  3. Gradually add flour, one cup at a time, stirring with a wooden spoon until a soft dough forms.
Kneading the Dough
  1. On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  2. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean cloth, and let it rise in a warm area for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Preparing the Filling
  1. While the dough is rising, mix the chopped cranberries, brown sugar, orange zest, and cinnamon in a bowl. Set it aside.
Rolling Out the Dough
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle (about 1/4 inch thick).
Assembling the Rolls
  1. Spread the cranberry filling evenly over the dough rectangle, leaving a small edge.
  2. Roll the dough tightly from one end to the other, creating a log.
  3. Slice the log into 12 equal pieces and place them into a greased baking dish.
Baking
  1. Cover the rolls with a cloth and allow them to rise for another 30 minutes.
  2. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown.
Glazing the Rolls
  1. While the rolls are baking, mix powdered sugar with orange juice and zest until smooth.
  2. Once the rolls are out of the oven, drizzle the glaze over them while they are still warm.

Notes

For best results, use fresh cranberries when in season, or frozen if not. Add nuts for crunch or use a dairy-free option. Prepare dough one day in advance for convenience. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.