Cranberry Sweet Rolls

Total Time Prep: 55 min. + rising Bake: 25 min.
Yield 15 servings
Contest Winner
Test Kitchen Approved
Christmas morning will be sweeter than ever when you serve these festive rolls topped with a rich and creamy frosting. They rise nice and high and hold their shape. Plus, the tart cranberry filling is a nice change of pace from cinnamon rolls.—Mrs. Otto (Germaine) Stank, Pound, Wisconsin

Ingredients

  • 1-1/4 cups sugar, divided
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 cups cranberries
  • 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
  • 2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
  • 1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 4-1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
  • Melted butter
  • CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 3 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon whole milk

Directions

  1. In a large saucepan, bring 3/4 cup sugar and the water to a boil. Add cranberries; return to a boil. Cook, uncovered, until cranberries begin to pop, about 6 minutes. Reduce heat; simmer 15 minutes longer or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Stir in orange zest; cover and chill.
  2. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the next 6 ingredients, plus the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and 3 cups flour; beat until smooth. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn the dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl; turn once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Preheat oven to 375°.
  3. Punch dough down. Roll it out into a 15x10-in. rectangle; brush with butter. Spread cranberry filling over dough to within 1 in. of edges. Roll up, jelly-roll style, starting with a long side.
  4. Cut into 15 slices; place slices cut side down in a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.
  5. Bake until golden brown, 25-30 minutes. Cool in pan 5 minutes; remove to a wire rack to cool.
  6. In a small bowl, beat cream cheese frosting ingredients until smooth; spread the frosting over the warm rolls.

Nutrition Facts

1 roll: 356 calories, 12g fat (7g saturated fat), 60mg cholesterol, 281mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein.

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