Description
These Cranberry Orange Cinnamon Rolls are a delightful twist on classic cinnamon rolls, featuring tart cranberries and bright orange zest folded into a soft, fluffy dough, then baked to golden perfection and topped with a sweet icing. Perfect for a festive breakfast or brunch treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2¼ tsp active dry yeast
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
Filling Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh or dried cranberries, chopped
- Zest of 1 orange
- Butter (amount not specified, assumed ¼ cup softened for spreading)
Icing Ingredients
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- Optional: milk or orange juice for thinning (not specified, estimate 1-2 tbsp)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: Warm the milk to 110°F, then combine it with the granulated sugar and active dry yeast. Let this mixture sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy and bubbly, indicating the yeast is active.
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, salt, softened butter, and ground cinnamon. Pour in the yeast mixture and knead the dough for 5 to 7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover it, and allow it to rise in a warm spot for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Shape the Rolls: Once risen, roll the dough into a large rectangle on a floured surface. Spread a layer of softened butter over the dough, then evenly distribute the chopped cranberries and orange zest as the filling. Roll the dough tightly from one end to the other, then slice into 12 evenly sized pieces, ensuring consistent thickness for even baking.
- Second Rise and Bake: Arrange the rolled slices on a baking pan and allow them to rise for another 30 minutes to puff up. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), bake the rolls for 25 to 30 minutes until they are golden brown and an internal temperature of around 190°F is reached. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly.
- Prepare and Add Icing: While the rolls bake, mix the powdered sugar with a small amount of milk or fresh orange juice to create a smooth icing. Drizzle or spread the icing over the warm rolls before serving for a sweet finish.
Notes
- You can use fresh or dried cranberries; if dried, consider soaking them briefly in warm water or orange juice to soften.
- The amount of butter for spreading inside the rolls is not specified; typically, about ¼ cup works well for richness and moisture.
- For the icing, thin powdered sugar with a small amount of milk or orange juice until desired drizzle consistency is achieved.
- Ensure the milk is not too hot when activating yeast to avoid killing it.
- Keep the dough covered during rises to prevent it from drying out.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg or cloves to the cinnamon in the dough.
