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Cranberry Cream Cheese Sweet Rolls
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5 from 5 votes

Cranberry Cream Cheese Sweet Rolls

Homemade dough is layered with sweetened cream cheese and fresh cranberries, then rolled and cut in this delicious pastry that's perfect for the holidays.
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Breakfast
Servings: 1 dozen
Calories: 722kcal
Author: Danelle

Ingredients

For the rolls

  • 1 cup milk
  • 4 tablespoons butter cubed
  • 3 1/4 – 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 package 2 1/4 teaspoons instant or rapid rise yeast
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg

For the filling

  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 5 tablespoons granulated sugar divided
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 cups fresh cranberries coarsely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons orange zest

For the frosting

  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 4 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 2 tablespoons butter softened
  • 2-3 tablespoons orange juice

Instructions

  • Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking pan and set aside.
  • To make the dough, place the milk and butter in a small saucepan and heat over medium low heat until the butter is melted and the milk is warm. Set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together 2 cups of flour, instant yeast, 1/4 cup sugar, and salt. Add the egg and the milk mixture to the flour mixture and continue to mix until thoroughly combined.
  • Substitute the dough hook for the paddle attachment and gradually add remaining flour or until dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl (you may not use all the flour). Continue to knead the dough for 5 minutes.
  • Place dough on a lightly floured work surface and let rest for 10 minutes while you prepare the filling. In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, 3 tablespoons of sugar and vanilla. Roll out dough into a 12 x 14 inch rectangle. Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the dough.
  • In a small bowl, combine cranberries, remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar, cornstarch and orange zest. Spread the cranberry filling over the cream cheese mixture.
  • Starting with a long end, roll the dough into a log and pinch edges closed. Cut into 12 equal slices. Place sweet rolls into the prepared pan and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Let rise in a warm place for 40-60 minutes, or until doubled in size.
  • Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. When the rolls are finished rising, bake them for 20-25 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
  • While the sweet rolls rolls are baking, prepare the frosting by beating the powdered sugar, cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually add the orange juice until frosting reaches desired consistency. Let rolls cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes before spreading the frosting evenly over the top.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 722kcal | Carbohydrates: 123g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 261mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 27g