Go Back
+ servings

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

Enter your email below and we will send it straight to your inbox. Plus you will get great new recipes from us every week!

Featured Image for post Cranberry Citrus Cream Cheese Sweet Rolls
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Cranberry Citrus Cream Cheese Sweet Rolls

Cook Time20 minutes
Additional Time4 hours 40 minutes
Total Time5 hours
Servings: 12 Sweet Rolls
Author: Barbara Schieving

Ingredients 

Dough

  • 3 cups bread flour
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons yeast I used 1 package yeast Red Star Platinum Yeast
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup milk
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature

Citrus Sugar and Filling:

  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
  • ½ cup sweetened dried cranberries

Cream Cheese Topping:

  • 4 ounce cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
  • 1 large egg yolk

Glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 5 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, combine 2 cups flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
  • In saucepan or microwave safe dish, heat milk and butter until warm (120° – 130°).
  • Add liquids to flour mixture. Blend at low speed until moistened. Add eggs; beat 3 minutes at medium speed.
  • Switch to the dough hook and mix in the remaining flour a little at a time, to make a soft, slightly sticky dough, add more or less flour as needed. Knead the dough for 5 minutes. Place in greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover; let rise in warm place until double, about 45 minutes.
  • Make the citrus sugar by mixing ¾ cup sugar with the lemon and orange zests. Set aside
  • Punch down the dough and let it rest 5 minutes. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a 16-inch x 12-inch rectangle. Spread 2 tablespoons butter evenly over the dough with a rubber spatula or your fingers. Sprinkle ½ cup of the citrus sugar evenly over the butter. Sprinkle cranberries evenly over the sugar. Starting with the long end, roll the dough into a log, and cut it into 12 slices.
  • Place each piece, cut edges up, 1 inch apart on a parchment lined baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until double, about 30 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Make Cream Cheese Topping: Combine cream cheese, sugar, orange juice, and egg yolk; beat at medium speed of a mixer until well-blended.
  • Make a slight indentation in the center of each sweet roll. Fill the center of each roll with cream cheese topping. Sprinkle remaining citrus sugar over the tops of the sweet rolls.
  • Bake about 20 minutes until golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool on the pan for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Prepare glaze: Combine powdered sugar and lemon juice. Drizzle over rolls.