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Cranberry Swirl Buns

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Cranberry Swirl Buns - soft almond scented yeast buns swirled with a fresh cranberry filling then topped with a simple drizzle of fresh orange juice mixed with confectioners' sugar.

When the holidays are past and your heart is full of memories made with family and friends, you might find yourself with one last bag of fresh cranberries hiding in the back of your fridge.   If this is your scenario, I hope you will give these Cranberry Swirl Buns a try.  To say “my husband went nuts for these” is an understatement.  The fresh cranberry filling scented with a little orange zest is the perfect combination of tangy and sweet.

 

Cranberry Swirl Buns - soft almond scented yeast buns swirled with a fresh cranberry filling then topped with a simple drizzle of fresh orange juice mixed with confectioners' sugar.

The yeasted buns are soft and flavorful and so much fun to make in a muffin pan.  I get excited over the little things and love this rustic freeform style.

 

Cranberry Swirl Buns - soft almond scented yeast buns swirled with a fresh cranberry filling then topped with a simple drizzle of fresh orange juice mixed with confectioners' sugar.

The dough is flavored with almond extract (big surprise!) and comes together in minutes in your stand mixer.  There are two rise times at 60 minutes each so this is a great project when you’ll be home for a few hours.  I really don’t care for doing the laundry but if I get to bake in between folding clothes and starting another load, it seems to be much more fun!  The hands on time is minimal and the results are fantastic!

 

Cranberry Swirl Buns - soft almond scented yeast buns swirled with a fresh cranberry filling then topped with a simple drizzle of fresh orange juice mixed with confectioners' sugar.

Drizzled with an icing made with confectioners’ sugar and fresh blood orange juice (pink!) they’re just sweet enough!

 

Cranberry Swirl Buns - soft almond scented yeast buns swirled with a fresh cranberry filling then topped with a simple drizzle of fresh orange juice mixed with confectioners' sugar.

2 from 1 vote

Cranberry Swirl Buns

Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Yield: 12 buns
Course: Sweet Bread
Author: Tricia
PRINT RECIPE
Soft almond scented yeast buns swirled with a fresh cranberry filling then topped with a simple drizzle of fresh orange juice mixed with powdered sugar

Ingredients

For the dough:

  • 1 1/4 cups lukewarm water, about 90 degrees on an instant read thermometer
  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus a few extra tablespoons if needed
  • 3 tablespoons nonfat dry milk (I use Carnation brand)
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 2 teaspoons almond extract

For the cranberry filling:

  • 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries
  • zest from 1/2 a fresh orange
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons water

For the icing:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • Juice from 1/2 an orange, more or less as needed for the desired consistency

Instructions

To prepare the filling:

  • Combine the fresh cranberries, sugar and water in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the cranberries burst. Mash the cranberries and continue cooking until the filling thickens, about 5-6 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the orange zest. Set aside to cool or refrigerate. Stir before spreading on the dough.

To prepare the dough:

  • Add the lukewarm water to the mixing bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. Sprinkle the yeast over the water and set aside for 5-10 minutes or until the yeast is dissolved. Add all remaining dough ingredients to the water and yeast mixture, and mix on low until combined. Increase the speed to medium-low and knead until you have a soft, smooth dough. If the dough appears sticky add a little more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough cleans the sides of the bowl.
  • Cover the dough with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm place free from drafts for 1 hour, or until puffy.
  • Lightly grease a 12 cup muffin pan and set aside.
  • Gently scoop the dough out of the mixing bowl and place on a clean, lightly floured work surface. Roll the dough into a 16x18 inch rectangle, taking care to make sure the dough is even from one side to the other with the short sides (16”) at the top and bottom.
  • Spread the cranberry filling evenly over the dough leaving a 1-inch wide border at the bottom. Starting at the top (farthest away), roll the dough tightly, coming toward you. As you roll, stretch the dough away from you then roll toward you tightly, repeat until the entire roll is done. By stretching the dough and rolling it tightly, you will achieve the cork-screw top (hopefully - that’s the idea anyway)
  • Slice the log into 12 equal pieces.
  • Lightly push the bottom of the bun up in the middle to start the spiral. Place the buns in the muffin tins (cut side up). Once the pan is full, move to a warm place and let them rise for 60 minutes (I use my microwave as a proofing oven to let bread rise - with the task light on the microwave stays warm.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake the buns for 24-25 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from the oven and cool in the pan while preparing the icing.

To prepare the icing:

  • Combine the powdered sugar and orange juice. Whisk until smooth adding more orange juice or sugar as needed for the desired consistency. Drizzle on the warm buns and serve.

Recipe Notes

  • Store leftovers in the refrigerator. Buns can be microwaved for about 20 seconds to rewarm.
  • Yeast bun recipe adapted from King Arthur Flour

Don’t forget your PIN!

Cranberry Swirl Buns - soft almond scented yeast buns swirled with a fresh cranberry filling then topped with a simple drizzle of fresh orange juice mixed with confectioners' sugar | www.savingdessert.com

 

 

I went to the mall today – it was crazy!  Last minute shopping is not my thing – hope you didn’t have to go out there 🙂

I also hope you have a wonderful holiday filled with family fun and fabulous food.  Blessing to you and yours!

Merry Christmas!

Tricia

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43 Comments

  1. Nancy Henke says

    March 27, 2021 at 12:34 pm

    2 stars
    This is the wrong dough for this recipe. I thought they would be like a cinnamon roll, but the texture is like bread. This dough would be better used for a savory filling; it is a good dough. It lacks the butter needed for the soft texture that a cinnamon roll offers.

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      March 29, 2021 at 7:42 am

      Sorry you didn’t like the recipe Nancy.These have always been very soft for me.

      reply to this comment >
  2. De says

    November 28, 2017 at 9:40 am

    If we don’t have dry milk, can we just replace the dry milk + water, with 1 1/4 cup milk warmed?

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      November 28, 2017 at 4:35 pm

      Hi De. I haven’t tested this recipe leaving out the dry milk. I don’t think you should add more liquid, but may try just leaving the dry milk out all together. Good luck – hope it works out for you. The powdered milk is easy to find in the grocery store, and keeps in the refrigerator for a good while. We like the Carnation brand. Thanks again.

      reply to this comment >
      • De says

        November 28, 2017 at 5:21 pm

        Right, I know I shouldn’t add more liquid, I was thinking I’d REPLACE the water with milk, since isn’t the point of dry milk to “make” “milk” with dry milk + water? Basically my question was how much water your container says to mix 3 tablespoons of dry milk into to make milk, and whether it is more or less than the amount of water in this recipe.

        reply to this comment >
        • Tricia Buice says

          November 29, 2017 at 7:26 am

          Sorry I misunderstood De. I don’t have a package of the dry powered milk right now but I looked on the product information on Amazon. They have a photo of the back of the package displayed. The instructions say to mix 1/3 cup of powdered milk with 1 cup of water to make 8 ounces. The recipe calls for 3 tablespoons powdered milk. There are 5 1/3 tablespoons in 1/3 cup and 4 tablespoons in 1/4 cup. Perhaps you can replace 1/4 of the water with regular milk and hopefully get the same results. Good luck!

          reply to this comment >
  3. Kay says

    November 28, 2016 at 4:17 pm

    I made these for my Sunday School class this past week and they were a huge hit! I loved them and were easy to put together; will be making again.

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      November 28, 2016 at 8:03 pm

      Thank you so much for letting me know Kay! Our readers really appreciate knowing that the recipes turn out good. So thank you so much for trying it and commenting! Have a wonderful holiday season 🙂

      reply to this comment >
  4. Daniela says

    December 25, 2015 at 8:01 am

    Merry Christmas, dear friend!
    And thank you for this delicious looking and festive post.

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      December 25, 2015 at 8:07 am

      Merry Christmas to you Daniela and happy travels 🙂

      reply to this comment >
  5. Gerlinde @ Sunnycovechef says

    December 24, 2015 at 1:10 am

    I love cranberries and always freeze some for later use. Your rolls are so pretty and I’m sure they taste real good. Have a wonderful Christmas.

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      December 24, 2015 at 9:13 am

      Thanks Gerlinde – Merry Christmas!

      reply to this comment >
  6. michael says

    December 23, 2015 at 9:28 pm

    oh Tricia, those look delicious!! You are just a wonderful baker and cook!! 🙂

    Awesome food photographs!! 🙂

    Merry Christmas!!
    Michael

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      December 24, 2015 at 9:13 am

      Great to hear from you Michael! Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas 🙂 Thank you!

      reply to this comment >
  7. Becky Green says

    December 23, 2015 at 8:42 pm

    WOW!!! These rolls are BEAUTIFUL!!! AND I can ONLY GUESS, they’re SCRUMPTIOUS!!! Would you believe, I FORGOT the cranberries this Christmas????? I have a Jello-O thing doing it’s magic in the refrigerator…THANK GOODNESS, we have CANNED cranberries! LOL MERRY CHRISTMAS TRICIA to you & yours! HOPE you have a WONDERFUL time together!!! I KNOW you’ll eat WELL!!! 😉

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      December 24, 2015 at 9:13 am

      Merry Christmas Becky!~ Jell-O magic in the refrigerator sounds great! My mom always made the best cranberry thingy 🙂 Blessing to you and yours!

      reply to this comment >
  8. Monique says

    December 23, 2015 at 3:15 pm

    So so cute and festive Tricia..

    Happy Holidays!

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      December 23, 2015 at 5:37 pm

      Thanks Monique – you too!

      reply to this comment >
  9. John/Kitchen Riffs says

    December 23, 2015 at 12:49 pm

    Cranberry is so good, isn’t it? Love it any time of the year, but particularly right now. Happy Holidays, and see you next year!

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      December 23, 2015 at 5:36 pm

      Yes, yes it is John! I love a good zing of flavor and the color is pretty awesome too! Hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

      reply to this comment >
  10. 2 Sisters Recipes.. by anna and liz says

    December 23, 2015 at 11:37 am

    SO true, what to do with a bag of cranberries? Genius idea! And your photos are unbelievable- as always.
    Have a wonderful Christmas! Blessings to you and your family!
    xoxo Anna and Liz

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      December 23, 2015 at 5:36 pm

      Awwww – thanks so much! Big hugs to you from Virginia!!! Merry Christmas 🙂

      reply to this comment >
  11. Dom says

    December 23, 2015 at 11:19 am

    oh wow…I LOVE them. So pretty and quite dainty for a Christmas treat. Wishing you and yours a very merry christmas!

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      December 23, 2015 at 5:35 pm

      And to you too Dom! I bet you have your lovely little cottage all decorated – I want photos!!!

      reply to this comment >
  12. [email protected]'s Recipes says

    December 23, 2015 at 10:41 am

    These cranberry rolls look absolutely stunning, Tricia.

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      December 23, 2015 at 5:35 pm

      Thank you Angie – Merry Christmas!

      reply to this comment >
  13. Monica says

    December 23, 2015 at 10:28 am

    These buns are so, so beautiful, Tricia! I could print up that first pic and put it next to my computer and just stare at it all day. So pretty with that red swirl and white icing! : ) And I think you must be able to look into my daydreams. I have been thinking about making buns/rolls in a muffin pan and the almond scented yeast dough sounds perfect. Wishing I had cranberries right now. So, so pretty…have I mentioned that already?? ; )

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      December 23, 2015 at 5:35 pm

      You are amazing Monica – thank you for being such a faithful reader and commenter. Hope you have a terrific Christmas and maybe some snow? We’re having record high temperatures – boo 🙂

      reply to this comment >
  14. Susan says

    December 23, 2015 at 10:23 am

    This recipe makes me want to get to the grocery store and get some more cranberries just so I can make these! I never tire of almond extract either and cranberries are a personal favorite of mine. They are beautiful too! Again, Merry Christmas, Tricia, to you and your family!

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      December 23, 2015 at 5:34 pm

      Merry Christmas Susan and thank you so much!!!

      reply to this comment >
  15. Amy says

    December 23, 2015 at 9:43 am

    Oh my, these area really beautiful. Just something about them makes my day.

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      December 23, 2015 at 5:33 pm

      Thank you Amy!

      reply to this comment >
  16. handmade by amalia says

    December 23, 2015 at 9:25 am

    I can’t believe I only found your blog in 2015, Tricia, I feel like I’ve becoming to your beautiful blog and finding delicious treats for much longer. A very happy holiday to you and yours.
    Amalia
    xo

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      December 23, 2015 at 5:33 pm

      Thank you Amalia – you are a sweet lady and so happy to have gotten to know you this year!~

      reply to this comment >
  17. Wendy says

    December 22, 2015 at 10:03 pm

    Oh, what lovely, colorful swirl buns! (I really like Sue’s use of “voluptuous”! They are!) I stock up on cranberries this time of year and freeze them. That way I can make these beauties any time of year! Your description of this being a fun project, has me willing to overcome my yeast phobia! I hope your holidays are full of fun and sweetness, Tricia. Merry Christmas.

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      December 23, 2015 at 5:32 pm

      Thank you Wendy! I hope you will try working with yeast – it is such fun (when it comes out okay – haha!) Have a wonderful holiday and thanks so much for reading and commenting!

      reply to this comment >
  18. sue|theviewfromgreatisland says

    December 22, 2015 at 8:29 pm

    Those swirls are absolutely voluptuous — I love how they rose every which way!

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      December 22, 2015 at 8:46 pm

      I was a little lax in rolling them up and got lazy at the end. But I thought it added a lot of interest to each bun! Such a fun baking project and tasty too. Merry Christmas Sue!

      reply to this comment >
  19. Chris Scheuer says

    December 22, 2015 at 8:08 pm

    I really don’t like the fact that so often, cranberries are relegated to Thanksgiving and Christmas. They are so delicious in so many things. These rolls are so pretty and sound fantastic. They would cheer up the dreariest of days!

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      December 22, 2015 at 8:46 pm

      Thank you Chris and Merry Christmas to you and Scott!

      reply to this comment >
  20. Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says

    December 22, 2015 at 8:03 pm

    I never tire of cranberry and this is the perfect way to highlight them. Love the hit of orange, too! Perfect 🙂

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      December 22, 2015 at 8:47 pm

      Thanks Jennifer – I loved your pumpkin swirl buns so much I couldn’t resist trying another version – tasty! Merry Christmas!!!

      reply to this comment >

Trackbacks

  1. Cranberry Breakfast Recipes (Over 20!) | This Gal Cooks says:
    December 12, 2016 at 9:16 pm

    […] Cranberry Swirl Buns […]

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