Cranberry Orange Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

These Cranberry Orange Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting are everything you crave in a cozy homemade treat. They’re soft, fluffy, bursting with bright citrus flavor, and filled with a sweet-tart cranberry filling that makes each bite completely irresistible. The silky cream cheese frosting on top adds just the right amount of richness to balance it all out. Whether you’re making them for a lazy weekend breakfast or a festive holiday brunch, these rolls are guaranteed to impress — and yes, they’re easier to make than you think!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Unforgettable Flavor Combo: The sweet orange zest paired with tart cranberries creates a beautifully balanced flavor that stands out from your typical cinnamon rolls.
• Ultra Soft and Fluffy: The dough is tender, buttery, and bakes up pillowy soft — just like a bakery treat.
• Creamy Dreamy Frosting: The tangy cream cheese frosting melts into the warm rolls, giving you that perfect gooey finish.
• Great for Make-Ahead: These rolls can be prepped ahead of time and baked fresh in the morning. Ideal for holidays or weekend guests!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gather up these pantry and fridge staples to get started — no complicated ingredients here!

• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base of the dough and gives the rolls structure.
• Yeast: Active dry or instant yeast both work to help the dough rise into soft, fluffy perfection.
• Milk: Warmed slightly to activate the yeast and enrich the dough.
• Butter: Adds richness and softness to the dough and filling.
• Sugar: A little in the dough and more in the filling to sweeten the whole roll.
• Salt: Just a pinch enhances all the other flavors.
• Eggs: Make the dough more tender and rich.
• Cranberries: Use fresh or frozen cranberries for a tart pop in every bite. Dried cranberries can work in a pinch — just soak them in orange juice to plump them up.
• Orange Zest and Juice: The zest brightens up both the filling and the dough, while the juice sweetens the cranberry mix.
• Cinnamon: The warm, cozy spice that ties the filling together.
• Cream Cheese: The base of the frosting — it’s rich, creamy, and perfectly tangy.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the frosting without making it gritty.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth to the frosting.

Variations

Looking to tweak things? Here are a few fun ways to make this recipe your own:

• Nutty Crunch: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling for extra texture.
• Maple Glaze: Swap the cream cheese frosting for a drizzle of maple glaze if you prefer something lighter.
• Dried Fruit Twist: Use dried cherries or chopped dried apricots for a different fruity spin.
• Spice it Up: Add a pinch of cardamom or nutmeg to the filling for an extra layer of flavor.

How to Make Cranberry Orange Cinnamon Rolls

Step 1: Make the Dough

Start by activating your yeast in warm milk with a bit of sugar. Once it’s foamy, mix in the eggs, melted butter, salt, orange zest, and flour. Knead until the dough is smooth and elastic. Let it rise until doubled in size — usually about an hour.

Step 2: Make the Cranberry Orange Filling

While the dough rises, cook cranberries with orange juice, zest, sugar, and cinnamon until they burst and form a thick, jam-like mixture. Let it cool completely before spreading it on the dough.

Step 3: Roll and Slice

Roll out the dough into a large rectangle. Spread the cooled cranberry filling evenly over it. Starting from the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Slice into even pieces and place them in a greased baking dish.

Step 4: Second Rise

Cover and let the rolls rise again until puffy — about 30 to 45 minutes. This second rise makes the rolls extra fluffy.

Step 5: Bake

Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F until golden and cooked through — about 25 to 30 minutes. The kitchen will smell absolutely divine.

Step 6: Frost and Serve

While the rolls cool slightly, whip together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a splash of milk until smooth. Spread over warm rolls and serve!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Don’t Rush the Dough: Let it rise fully each time for the best texture — soft, fluffy rolls are worth the wait.
• Cool the Filling: Spreading hot cranberry mixture on the dough can make it hard to roll and may kill the yeast.
• Use Dental Floss to Cut Rolls: It’s a neat trick to keep the spirals from squishing when slicing.
• Frost While Warm: The frosting will melt slightly into the rolls and become one with that gooey center.

How to Serve

These rolls are best served warm, right out of the oven with the frosting melting into every swirl. Perfect for:

###Brunch Tables:
Pair with a strong cup of coffee, spiced chai, or fresh-squeezed orange juice for a perfect morning.

###Holiday Breakfasts:
A beautiful and festive addition to Thanksgiving or Christmas morning.

###Dessert:
Yes, they double beautifully as dessert — serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you’re feeling indulgent.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for 4-5 days.

Freezing

Unbaked rolls (after the second rise) can be frozen in the pan. Cover tightly and freeze. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake the next morning.

Reheating

Microwave individual rolls for about 20-30 seconds, or warm in a 300°F oven until heated through. Add a little extra frosting if desired!

FAQs

Can I use store-bought dough to save time?
Yes! If you’re short on time, feel free to use a good-quality store-bought cinnamon roll dough and add the cranberry-orange filling. It won’t be exactly the same, but it’ll still be delicious.

What if I don’t have fresh cranberries?
Frozen cranberries work perfectly, just don’t thaw them first. You can also use dried cranberries — soak them in orange juice for 15 minutes to soften.

Can I make these overnight?
Absolutely. Assemble the rolls the night before and cover the pan tightly. Let them rise in the fridge overnight. In the morning, let them come to room temp and rise slightly more before baking.

How do I keep the rolls from unraveling during baking?
Roll them tightly and place them snugly in the baking dish. This helps them support each other as they bake and prevents unraveling.

Final Thoughts

These Cranberry Orange Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting are pure joy in every bite — sweet, tangy, soft, and indulgently frosted. They’re special enough for the holidays but easy enough to make whenever you’re craving something comforting and delicious. Try them once, and they just might become your new go-to cinnamon roll recipe.

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