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Quick Cranberry Orange Sweet Rolls with Creamy Glaze

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These quick cranberry orange sweet rolls are the kind of recipe that makes you look like a hero when you’re actually just surviving. Ready in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients, they’re perfect for holiday mornings or last-minute gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup frozen cranberries (fresh works too, roughly chopped)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • Zest of 1 large orange
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for filling)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 can (8 ounces) refrigerated crescent roll dough
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for brushing dough)
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Make the cranberry filling: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine frozen cranberries, sugar, and orange zest. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cranberries have burst and mixture has thickened. Remove from heat and stir in melted butter and vanilla extract. Let cool for about 5 minutes.
  3. Prepare the dough: Unroll crescent roll dough onto a clean surface. Press perforations together firmly to seal into one solid sheet. Brush entire surface with melted butter.
  4. Spread the filling: Using a spatula, spread cranberry mixture evenly over dough, leaving about a 1/2-inch border along one long edge.
  5. Roll it up: Starting from the long edge opposite the border, carefully roll dough into a log. Keep it tight but not so tight that filling squishes out.
  6. Cut the rolls: Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice log into 8 equal pieces. Place rolls cut-side up on prepared baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart.
  7. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until tops are golden brown and filling is bubbly. Let cool on baking sheet for about 5 minutes before glazing.
  8. Make the glaze: In a medium bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar, orange juice, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Whisk until smooth and creamy. Adjust consistency with more orange juice or powdered sugar as needed.
  9. Glaze and serve: Drizzle glaze over warm rolls. Serve warm for best experience.

Notes

Don’t overfill the dough—about 1/4 cup filling per roll is plenty. Use a sharp knife for clean cuts. Start checking at 12 minutes to avoid burning. Let rolls cool 5 minutes before glazing. For make-ahead: assemble up to step 6, cover and refrigerate overnight; let sit at room temperature 15 minutes before baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry orange sweet rolls, quick sweet rolls, crescent roll recipe, holiday breakfast, brunch recipe, easy sweet rolls

Find it online: https://forkmila.com/quick-cranberry-orange-sweet-rolls-with-creamy-glaze/