Cranberry Sweet Rolls

Total Time:Prep: 55 min. + rising Bake: 25 min.

By Taste Of Home Editorial Team

Recipe by Otto (Germaine) Stank, Pound, Wisconsin

Tested by Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Updated on Sep. 13, 2023

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

TEST KITCHEN APPROVED

Cranberry Sweet Rolls

Contest Winner
Yield:15 servings
Prep:55 min
Cook:25 min

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
Shop Recipe

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.