These Cranberry Orange Sweet Rolls bring together the tanginess of cranberries and the brightness of oranges inside a soft, pillowy dough. When baked, they become golden, fragrant, and incredibly tender. The final touch of orange glaze makes every bite melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

What makes them special?

• The cranberry filling adds natural sweetness without being overpowering.
• Orange zest in the dough and glaze lifts the flavor and makes the rolls smell amazing.
• They are perfect for Christmas, Thanksgiving morning, or a cozy weekend breakfast.

🛒 Ingredients

For the Dough

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup warm milk
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp orange zest

For the Cranberry Filling

• 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• 1 tbsp orange juice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter

For the Orange Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2–3 tbsp fresh orange juice
• 1 tsp orange zest
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough

1. Warm the milk until it’s slightly above body temperature (not hot).
2. Add the yeast and a teaspoon of sugar, stir, and rest for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
3. In a large bowl, mix the flour, remaining sugar, salt, and orange zest.
4. Add the yeast mixture, egg, and softened butter.
5. Knead the dough for 7–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
6. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise for 1–1½ hours in a warm place.

2. Make the Cranberry Filling

1. In a saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, orange zest, and orange juice.
2. Cook over medium heat until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens (about 8–10 minutes).
3. Stir in butter and vanilla.
4. Let the filling cool completely before using.

3. Shape the Rolls

1. Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down gently.
2. Roll it into a large rectangle (about 12×18 inches).
3. Spread the cooled cranberry filling evenly over the dough.
4. Roll the dough tightly from the long side, forming a log.
5. Slice into 10–12 rolls with a sharp knife or dental floss.
6. Place rolls in a greased baking dish.
7. Cover and let them rise again for 30–45 minutes until puffy.

4. Bake

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Bake the rolls for 22–28 minutes, until lightly golden on top.
3. Let them cool slightly before glazing.

5. Make the Orange Glaze

1. Whisk powdered sugar, orange juice, vanilla, and zest.
2. Adjust thickness as needed (more juice to thin, more sugar to thicken).
3. Drizzle generously over warm rolls.

💡 Tips for Perfect Rolls

• Warm place = perfect rise → Place dough near warm oven or cover with a warm towel.
• Use room-temperature ingredients so the dough rises evenly.
• Let the filling cool so the dough doesn’t get soggy.
• Don’t overbake — remove when lightly golden; rolls continue baking from residual heat.

Variations You Can Try

➤ Cranberry Orange Cream Cheese Rolls

Spread a thin layer of cream cheese before adding cranberry filling for extra creaminess.

➤ Almond Orange Sweet Rolls

Add sliced almonds on top before baking for crunch.

➤ Chocolate Orange Rolls

Sprinkle mini dark chocolate chips inside for a richer dessert version.

📦 Storage & Reheating

To Store

• Keep rolls in an airtight container for 2 days at room temperature
• Or refrigerate for up to 5 days

To Freeze

Freeze unglazed rolls individually for up to 2 months. Thaw and glaze fresh.

To Reheat

Warm in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to make them soft again.

🧁 Final Thoughts

Cranberry Orange Sweet Rolls are bright, festive, and incredibly soft — a beautiful twist on classic cinnamon rolls. Whether you’re making them for a holiday breakfast or bringing them to a family gathering, these rolls never fail to impress