Recipe: Cranberry Cream-Cheese Pull Aparts

Cranberry Cream-Cheese Pull Aparts

24 frozen bread rolls, thawed but still cold
1 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup granulated sugar, divided
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon each grated orange and lemon rinds
1 cup powdered sugar
5 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

Press about 5 to 6 cranberries into each thawed roll. Place rolls in a 9-by-13-inch pan coated with nonstick cooking spray.

Combine the butter, 1/2 cup of the granulated sugar, cream cheese and orange juice. Blend well and pour over the rolls. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until double in size. (Time will depend on temperature of your kitchen.)

Combine remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar, the rinds and any remaining cranberries. Sprinkle this mixture over the risen rolls. Bake immediately in a preheated 350 F. oven for 25 minutes or until the rolls in the center are done.

Combine powdered sugar and lemon juice. Drizzle over hot rolls. (Toss on extra cranberries, if you so desire.)

Makes 2 dozen pull aparts.

Source: Adapted from Rhodes Bake-N-Serv