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Apple Cranberry Dinner Rolls

Apple Cranberry Dinner Rolls
The savory-sweet combo of these rolls is the perfect addition to your traditional holiday table.
Yield 12 rolls
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2

Reviews

Ingredients

  • 1 cup warm milk (110-115°F)
  • 1 (0.25oz) package (7g) or 2 1/4 teaspoons Platinum Yeast
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 cups bread flour, divided
  • 1/4 cup craisins
  • 1/2 cup apples, peeled and finely chopped
  • Melted butter for brushing on baked rolls

Instructions

  • In large mixing bowl whisk together warm milk, yeast and sugar. Set aside for five minutes.
  • Once yeast is proofed, stir in salt, butter and egg. Add one cup of flour, stirring lightly. Fold in craisins and apple. Stir in an additional 1 1/2 cups flour.
  • Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface and begin kneading dough, adding up to an additional ½ cup flour as needed. Knead dough for 5-10 minutes until smooth, round ball forms.
  • Place dough in a well greased bowl. Cover; let rise in warm area to for 1 hour.
  • Punch dough down. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide out into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a smooth ball. Place in greased 9-inch round baking pan. Cover; let rise in warm area for 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Bake rolls for 12-15 minutes, until lightly golden brown. Remove from oven and set on wire rack. Brush rolls with warm butter. Serve warm.

Notes

Recipe by Jenna Edmiston.

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Review & Comments

Linda | Reply

Can fresh/thawed frozen cranberries be used? I’d much prefer using those over dried, but I’m assuming they’d get smashed in the kneading process. But, not sure if that would be a BAD thing….
Has this recipe been tested using fresh cranberries?

Red Star Yeast | Reply

Hi Linda,

Unfortunately, it has not been tested using fresh cranberries. If you would like to try to use fresh I would suggest cooking them in sugar on the stove to release a lot of the water. I do think they may get smashed during the kneading process but I think it would still taste good. You could also try to fold them in by hand by flattening the dough after it is developed, add the cranberries and knead it a few times to distribute.

Happy Baking!

Allison | Reply

Can you make this using a stand mixer with the dough hook?

Red Star Yeast | Reply

Hi Allison – Yes. Start out with the paddle attachment in step 2, if you have one; or use a wooden spoon, spatula or dough whisk to mix ingredients together. Switch to the dough hook in step 3, and knead until dough is smooth and elastic.
Happy baking!

Ann | Reply

What kind of apples do you recommend? Granny Smith or ???

Red Star Yeast | Reply

Hi Ann – Granny Smith, Honey Crisp or any other apple that you typically bake with should work well in this recipe.
Happy baking!

Darlene Hennlich | Reply

Has anyone made this in a loaf pan or even a round loaf?

Red Star Yeast | Reply

Hi Darlene – You can use the dough to make a loaf. Rise and bake times may vary.
Happy baking!

Stephanie | Reply

5 stars
Amazing rolls!! Wondering if I could make these ahead of time and freeze before second rise??

Red Star Yeast | Reply

Hi Stephanie – We don’t recommend freezing during the bread-making process because it will damage the yeast and dough structure which will affect the quality of the final baked product. To break up some of the prep, you could make the dough the day before and refrigerate overnight. You could also freeze the finished rolls – simply let them cool completely after baking, then wrap air-tight in plastic wrap and foil, then place in a freezer zipper bag. More ‘prepare ahead’ info can be found here.

I hope you will find this information helpful.
Happy baking!

Bonnie | Reply

Could I use AP flour?

Red Star Yeast | Reply

Hi Bonnie – Bread flour is preferred because it is a stronger flour and helps created a better structure in the dough for yeast baking. You can use AP flour, just keep an eye on your dough as kneading and rising times may vary.
Happy baking!

Annie | Reply

Do you have directions for making this with 2 cups flour.

Red Star Yeast | Reply

Hi Annie,
This recipe uses 3 cups of flour. You could cut the recipe in half, which would be 1 1/2 cups flour.
Happy baking!

Lazy K | Reply

5 stars
Delicious! Hubby even loved them and he doesn’t like cranberries.
Yes, the apples did make for a sticky dough but not really a problem.
Next time I’ll add twice the cranberries. And since I live at high altitude it took about 40 minutes to bake!!

Bea | Reply

Waiting on these to rise right now. I found that it was a very sticky dough and needed extra flour. Can’t wait to see how they turn out!!

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