Cranberry Orange Crescent Rolls Recipe (2024)

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5 from 2 votes

Posted by Andrea Updyke

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.

Cranberry Orange Crescent Rolls Recipe (2)

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
Cranberry Orange Crescent Rolls Recipe (3)

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.

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Chop cranberries in a food processor or hand chopper until coarse. Stir into cream cheese mixture.

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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.

Cranberry Orange Crescent Rolls Recipe (6)

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.

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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.

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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.

Cranberry Orange Crescent Rolls Recipe (9)

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.

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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.

Cranberry Orange Crescent Rolls Recipe (11)

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!

Cranberry Orange Crescent Rolls Recipe (12)

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 Recipe (13)

SavePrint

Cranberry Orange Crescent Rolls

5 from 2 votes

The perfect addition to your holiday table, our cranberry orange crescent rolls are stuffed with fresh cranberries, orange juice, and cream cheese and topped with the most amazing orange glaze ever!

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 15 minutes mins

Total: 30 minutes mins

Yield: 16

By: Andrea Updyke

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

Serving: 1g, Calories: 176kcal, Carbohydrates: 19g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 31mg, Sodium: 160mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 9g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

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About Andrea Updyke

Andrea Updyke is a married mom of two boys living in Raleigh, NC. She is a published author and blogger of more than 18 years and loves to celebrate the little things that make life awesome.

Whether she's sharing tasty recipes, traveling or hanging with the family, Andrea's goal is to help make your days a little easier and a lot more fun! Email inquiries to andreaupdyke@gmail.com.

Read More About Me

Cranberry Orange Crescent Rolls Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Are crescent rolls and croissants the same thing? ›

Crescent rolls have a similar crescent-moon shape as croissants, but most aspects of these baked goods are different. Unlike croissants, crescent rolls are not laminated. This makes crescent rolls more bread-like than croissants.

How long can crescent rolls sit out before baking? ›

Crescent Rolls can be shaped and placed on cookie sheets up to 2 hours before baking. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate. Just before baking, brush each with a beaten egg.

Is cranberry relish good for you? ›

Cranberries naturally contain the flavonoid, proanthocyanidin (PAC) and other polyphenols that have potential health benefits such as fighting infection and healthy aging. 1 cup of fresh, chopped cranberries has 5.1 g of fiber, 94 mg of potassium and over 20% of the daily value of vitamin C.

Can you let Pillsbury crescent rolls rise? ›

Let rise in warm place (80° to 85°F.) 30 minutes or until doubled in size. HEAT oven to 375°F.

Can you use crescent dough sheets instead of puff pastry? ›

Lucky for you, easy-bake crescents stand in for traditional puff pastry. It's a classic dessert with convenience!

Is croissant dough just puff pastry? ›

While both puff pastry and croissant doughs are laminated, puff pastry does not include yeast and croissant dough does. The yeast gives the dough an even lighter texture. Croissant doughs also contain more sugar than puff pastry.

What happens if you don't let croissant dough rest? ›

Failing to proof your croissant dough for long enough is a common mistake that most commonly results in croissants leaking butter while baking, a tight crumb, and a flat, undeveloped flavor.

How do you keep crescent rolls crispy? ›

To keep the crispiness of your croissant, use a paper bag and leave it partially open to let the croissants breathe. Another option is to use perforated cardboard boxes or plastic clamshells. Also, avoid stacking the croissants so that they do not get crushed.

How do you keep crescent rolls from getting soggy? ›

Wrap them tightly. This will help to prevent moisture from escaping and air from getting in. You can use plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or a resealable bag.

Does cranberry sauce lower blood pressure? ›

According to a recent study, regularly consuming cranberry or cranberry juice reduces high blood pressure and improves blood circulation.

How do you jazz up canned cranberries? ›

Adding a teaspoon or two of fresh lemon or orange zest, a tablespoon of chopped candied peel, or even a splash of juice to your canned sauce will brighten flavors and bring in some homemade flavor.

Can diabetics eat cranberry relish? ›

Full of fresh cranberries, a whole orange, and nuts, It's a crunchy, no-cook version of cranberry sauce. Not only is it significantly lower in sugar than traditional cranberry relish or sauce, but it's also higher in fiber, making it diabetes-friendly.

Can you use outdated crescent rolls? ›

Eating expired crescent rolls can potentially be harmful, depending on the extent of spoilage. Bacteria or mold growth is a concern with any outdated baked product, which can lead to foodborne illnesses.

Why are Pillsbury crescent rolls so good? ›

The spongy dough, the prefabricated demarcations for separating each piece into its own obtuse triangle, the saccharine smell as they bake off, puffing up higher and higher until the layers finally congeal and toast to the perfect golden color.

Is crescent roll dough croissant dough? ›

Basically, a crescent roll is made by rolling out bread dough, shaping it into acrescent, and baking. A croissant, however, is made of a puff pastry type of dough. The thin leaves of dough are layered with butter, folded, rolled, and shaped. ... Acroissant has less of a yeast flavor and is flakier.

What is a substitute for crescent roll pastry? ›

You want what is called puff pastry dough. It is usually found near pie crusts at the store. It is sold flat or folded, but isn't sold in a roll like crescent dough.

Is a crescent a croissant? ›

A croissant (UK: /ˈkrwʌsɒ̃, ˈkrwæsɒ̃/, US: /krəˈsɒnt, krwɑːˈsɒ̃/; French: [kʁwasɑ̃]) is a French pastry made from puff pastry in a crescent shape. It is a buttery, flaky, viennoiserie pastry inspired by the shape of the Austrian kipferl, but using the French yeast-leavened laminated dough.

Why are croissants not crescent shaped? ›

Why are your croissant not crescent shaped? According to Raymond Calvel croissants laminated with margarine are formed into the crescent shape, while croissants laminated with butter are left in the straight form. We say, use whichever shape you like best, but do use real (organic) butter!

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