Go Back
–+ servings
Fluffy cranberry orange sweet rolls with ruby red spiced cranberry compote filling and dripping vanilla cream cheese icing

Cranberry Orange Sweet Rolls

These Cranberry Orange Sweet Rolls are the ultimate festive holiday morning treat. Soft, cloud-like brioche dough is rolled with a vibrant, sweet-tart homemade cranberry orange compote and a hint of warm cinnamon, then baked until golden and lavishly smothered in a melting orange-scented cream cheese glaze.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 12 rolls
Calories: 340

Ingredients
  

Pillowy Brioche Dough
  • 3 1/2 to 4 cups 450g-500g all-purpose flour or bread flour
  • 1 packet 2 1/4 tsp / 7g active dry yeast
  • 3/4 cup 180ml whole milk, warmed to 110°F (43°C)
  • 1/3 cup 65g granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup 75g unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1 tbsp freshly grated navel orange zest kneaded directly into dough
Spiced Cranberry Orange Filling
  • 2 cups 200g fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1/2 cup 100g granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup 50g light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup 60ml fresh squeezed orange juice
  • 1 tbsp freshly grated orange zest
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water slurry
Orange Cream Cheese Glaze
  • 4 oz 115g cream cheese, softened
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter softened
  • 1 1/2 cups 180g confectioners powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp fresh orange juice
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • Extra orange zest curls for holiday garnish

Method
 

Step-by-Step Cooking Walkthrough
  1. Make the Cranberry Filling: In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, granulated sugar, brown sugar, orange juice, orange zest, and cinnamon. Simmer over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes until cranberries burst. Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook for 1 minute until thickened like a spreadable jam. Remove from heat and cool completely.
  2. Activate the Yeast: In a stand mixer bowl, whisk warm milk (110°F) and yeast with 1 teaspoon of sugar. Let sit for 5 to 7 minutes until frothy.
  3. Make the Dough: Add remaining sugar, softened butter, eggs, orange zest, salt, and 3 cups of flour. Using the dough hook attachment, knead on low speed for 6 to 8 minutes, adding remaining flour as needed, until dough is soft, smooth, and slightly tacky.
  4. First Rise: Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover with a warm towel, and let rise in a draft-free spot for 60 to 90 minutes until doubled in size.
  5. Roll & Fill: Punch down dough and roll out on a lightly floured surface into a 12x18-inch rectangle. Spread the cooled cranberry orange compote evenly over the surface, leaving a 1/2-inch border at the top.
  6. Roll & Slice: Roll the dough tightly from the long edge into an 18-inch log. Using unflavored dental floss or a serrated knife, slice into 12 equal rolls.
  7. Second Rise: Arrange rolls cut-side up in a buttered 9x13-inch baking dish. Cover loosely and let rise for 30 to 45 minutes until puffy.
  8. Bake to Golden Perfection: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls for 22 to 25 minutes until lightly golden brown on top and cooked through.
  9. Glaze & Serve: Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, orange juice, and vanilla until smooth and creamy. Spread generously over warm rolls so the glaze melts into every swirl. Top with orange zest curls and serve warm!

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 340kcalCarbohydrates: 54gProtein: 5gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 220mgPotassium: 140mgFiber: 2gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 380IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 1.8mg

Notes

Chef Secret: Use unflavored dental floss or clean sewing thread to slice your rolls instead of a knife! Sliding the string underneath the rolled dough log and crossing the ends over the top slices through the soft dough cleanly without squishing the spiral shape or squeezing out the luscious cranberry filling.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!