Cranberry Orange Crescent Rolls Recipe
on Aug 03, 2021, Updated Feb 09, 2024
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If you have never tried cranberry orange crescent rolls, you are in for a treat. This recipe is a family favorite that I learned at a Pampered Chef party years ago.
Using refrigerated crescent rolls, fresh cranberries, cream cheese and orange juice, these stuffed croissants are unmatched in flavor.
My family requests them every holiday season and they are so good that I can only make them on holidays because I want to eat at least 4 at a time.
Seriously, cranberry orange sweet rolls are the kind of treat that make you sneak back into the kitchen while everyone else thinks you are “checking on the baby”.
If you’re looking for an alternative to cinnamon rolls, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s make them!
What to Buy
A quick trip for groceries will set you up for a delicious day in the kitchen. Here’s what you need for this 5-ingredient recipe.
Shopping list:
- Refrigerated crescent rolls
- Cream cheese, softened
- Powdered sugar
- Fresh oranges
- Fresh cranberries
I prefer using fresh fruit in my rolls, but you may substitute frozen cranberries and orange juice in a pinch.
The orange zest really kicks the flavor into high gear, so do try to get that orange!
You will also need a food chopper or processor, mixing bowls and spoon, a zester, measuring cups, baking sheets and parchment paper or oil spray.
Prepare the Cran-Orange Cream Cheese Filling
These rolls are stuffed with the most delicious filling and it’s so easy to make.
Note: You can use an electric mixer if you want, but as long as the cream cheese is softened or close to room temperature, mixing with a spoon gets the job done with fewer dishes to wash.
Preheat your oven to 375°F.
In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, orange zest, and orange juice until well combined.
Chop cranberries in a food processor or hand chopper until coarse. Stir into cream cheese mixture.
Set aside.
Unroll the crescent triangles onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
You can fit all 16 onto an oven-size baking sheet, or in two batches with standard cookie sheets.
Drop a spoonful of filling onto the largest part of the crescent dough and roll up with the point facing down.
Optional: gently turn corner points in to create a crescent shape.
If you overstuff or leave the ends open, your filling may leak out. This can be messy but it doesn’t affect the taste.
Bake the orange cranberry croissant rolls until cooked through and golden brown on the outside.
Let cool on a wire rack while you make the orange glaze.
Make the Orange Glaze
This glaze y’all. It is SO good. I love glaze. I really do.
Whether it’s vanilla glaze on a pound cake, strawberry glaze on just about anything, or this orange glaze right here. It’s magical.
In a small bowl, add powdered sugar, orange zest and orange juice and mix well. You can add a little more sugar or juice to get the consistency you like.
I don’t like it too runny so I add the OJ a little at a time until the consistency is right.
After the rolls are baked and cooling on a wire rack over a cookie sheet, drizzle the glaze over the rolls and wait a few minutes to set. Be sure the rolls aren’t too warm or the glaze will run right off.
Serve warm and enjoy with a cup of coffee or other breakfast items during a holiday meal.
If you somehow find yourself with leftovers, place them in an airtight container or on a plate with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
To reheat, place roll on a plate and microwave for 5-10 seconds. It won’t take much!
These sweet rolls really balance out our delicious sausage and bacon casserole, which is another holiday favorite.
This treat is one of my favorite things about the holiday season. They also make a great gift for neighbors, teachers, and other members of the community.
For another delicious holiday dessert, check out this no-bake peppermint pie recipe!
Print the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Crescent Rolls
This is a big hit during the holiday season, but you can make them any time of year. I have been known to freeze fresh cranberries to be sure I can have them in the off season. Just sayin.
Cranberry Orange Crescent Rolls
Ingredients
- 16 oz refrifgerated crescent rolls , 2 pkgs
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 2 teaspoons orange juice
- 1/4 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, coarsely chopped
- For the Glaze:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 2-3 teaspoons orange juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, orange zest and juice.
- Coarsely chop cranberries and stir into the cream cheese mixture.
- Unroll crescent dough and separate into triangles
- Drop spoonfuls of cream cheese mixture onto the large side of each triangle.
- Roll each triangle and arrange rolls on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, point sides down.
- Bake for 15-20 mins or until golden brown.
- Cool on a wire rack over a cookie sheet and prepare glaze.
- For glaze, combine powdered sugar, orange zest and juice in a small bowl.
- Drizzle over crescent rolls and enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
