Description
These Cranberry Orange Sweet Rolls are a delightful combination of tart cranberries and bright orange zest baked into soft, fluffy rolls. Perfect for a festive breakfast or brunch, they are topped with a sweet orange glaze that enhances their fruity flavors. Soft, tender, and bursting with citrus, these rolls make a wonderful treat to enjoy any time.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 packet instant yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup milk, warmed
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
Filling and Topping
- 1 cup fresh cranberries, chopped
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for icing)
- 2 tablespoons orange juice (for icing)
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, instant yeast, and salt. Stir well to evenly distribute all the dry ingredients.
- Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the warmed milk, melted unsalted butter, and eggs until fully combined.
- Make the Dough: Gradually add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring until a rough dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Roll Out and Add Filling: After the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle shape. Evenly sprinkle the chopped cranberries and orange zest over the dough.
- Shape the Rolls: Carefully roll the dough tightly from one long edge to the other to form a log. Slice the log into 12 equal rolls using a sharp knife.
- Second Rise: Arrange the rolls cut-side up in a greased baking dish. Cover and let them rise again in a warm spot for 30 minutes until puffy.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Prepare Icing and Serve: While the rolls bake, mix powdered sugar and orange juice in a small bowl to create a smooth glaze. Drizzle the warm rolls with the orange icing before serving for a delicious finishing touch.
Notes
- Warm the milk to about 110°F (43°C) to activate the yeast without killing it.
- Chopped fresh cranberries can be substituted with dried cranberries, but omit any additional sugar if using dried as they are sweeter.
- For an extra soft texture, brush the tops with melted butter right after baking.
- Make sure to let the dough rise in a draft-free warm area to ensure good fermentation.
- This recipe can be made a day ahead; cover and store the baked rolls at room temperature, then warm before serving.
