Luscious Orange-Cranberry Sweet Rolls

These sweet rolls are super soft and tastily flavored with orange, cranberry, and the tiniest bit of cardamom. This yeasted dough bakes up beautifully for a pull-apart treat!

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
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 12 servings

  • 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

  • cup dried cranberries

Filling:

  • 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

Orange Icing:

  • 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

Directions

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover, and allow to rise for 1 1/2 hours.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. Place rolls into a lightly greased pan. Cover and let rise for 45 minutes.

  7. 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.

  8. Bake in the preheated oven until golden, about 25 minutes.

  9. 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.

  10. Remove rolls from the oven and cover immediately with icing.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

429 Calories
19g Fat
60g Carbs
6g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 12
Calories 429
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 19g 24%
Saturated Fat 12g 58%
Cholesterol 66mg 22%
Sodium 239mg 10%
Total Carbohydrate 60g 22%
Dietary Fiber 2g 5%
Total Sugars 32g
Protein 6g 12%
Vitamin C 8mg 9%
Calcium 48mg 4%
Iron 2mg 11%
Potassium 139mg 3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.