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Cranberry Orange Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting

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These Cranberry Orange Cinnamon Rolls are soft, fluffy, and filled with a zesty orange-sugar swirl and tart cranberries. Topped with a rich cream cheese frosting, they’re bursting with holiday flavor in every bite. Great for Christmas morning, Thanksgiving brunch, or anytime you want a citrusy, cozy treat.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough:

  • 3/4 cup whole milk (warm, about 110°F)

  • 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)

  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar

  • 1 large egg

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

  • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1/2 tsp salt

  • Zest of 1 orange

For the Filling:

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar

  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar

  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon

  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

  • 1 cup fresh or dried cranberries (if using dried, soak in warm water for 10 minutes and drain)

  • Zest of 1 orange

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened

  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

  • 1 cup powdered sugar

  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

  • 1–2 tbsp orange juice (fresh)

Instructions

Make the Dough:

  1. In a large bowl, mix warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.

  2. Stir in the egg, melted butter, and orange zest. Add flour and salt. Mix until a dough forms.

  3. Knead on a floured surface for 6–8 minutes (or use a stand mixer). Dough should be soft and elastic.

  4. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled, about 1–1.5 hours.

Make the Filling:

  1. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and orange zest.

  2. After rising, roll dough into a 14×9 inch rectangle. Spread with softened butter and sprinkle with sugar mixture.

  3. Evenly scatter cranberries across the surface.

Roll, Cut, & Rise:

  1. Roll up dough tightly from the long edge. Cut into 9–12 rolls using a sharp knife or dental floss.

  2. Arrange in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Cover and let rise again for 30–45 minutes.

Bake:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

  2. Bake rolls for 22–25 minutes or until golden brown and the centers are cooked through.

Make the Frosting:

  1. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.

  2. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and orange juice. Mix until creamy and spreadable.

Frost & Serve:

  1. Let rolls cool slightly before frosting. Spread frosting over warm rolls and serve.

Notes

  • You can use cranberry sauce or compote instead of whole berries for a softer filling.

  • Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for extra texture.

  • Rolls can be made ahead and refrigerated overnight before baking.

Find it online: https://ukfinda.com/cranberry-orange-cinnamon-rolls-with-cream-cheese-frosting/