Luscious Orange-Cranberry Sweet Rolls

1. Stage

Place warm milk in the bowl of stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. Add yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar. Let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes. Add orange juice, egg, butter, and orange zest to the bowl. Mix for 1 minute on low speed.

2. Stage

Add 3 cups flour and salt. Start mixing on low speed for 1 minute, then increase speed to medium for 2 minutes. Add dried cranberries. Mix in remaining 1/4 cup flour if needed; dough will be sticky.

3. Stage

Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover, and allow to rise for 1 1/2 hours.

4. Stage

While dough is rising, prepare the filling. Pour sugar into a medium bowl. Add orange zest and cardamom; work into the sugar with your fingers. Add softened butter and mix thoroughly. Set aside.

5. Stage

Turn dough out onto a large surface sprinkled with flour. Sprinkle more flour across the top. Roll into a large rectangle using a rolling pin. Spread the filling evenly over the rectangle. Roll up tightly from 1 long side. Cut log in half using a serrated knife. Cut each half in two so that the log is now quartered. Cut each quarter into 3, for 12 rolls total.

6. Stage

Place rolls into a lightly greased pan. Cover and let rise for 45 minutes.

7. Stage

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place the pan of rolls on a foil-lined baking sheet in case any of the filling spills over.

8. Stage

Bake in the preheated oven until golden, about 25 minutes.

9. Stage

Meanwhile, make the orange icing. Whip cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl with an electric mixer. Add powdered sugar and mix for 1 minute. Add orange juice and zest. Continue mixing until icing is smooth and spreadable. Place in the refrigerator until rolls are ready.

10. Stage

Remove rolls from the oven and cover immediately with icing.