EASY FESTIVE CRANBERRY ROLL-UPS

Picture this: flaky, buttery pastry swirled with a vibrant, sweet-tart cranberry filling, all warm from the oven and dusted with powdered sugar. Sounds like a holiday dream, right? But what if I told you this delightful treat – Festive Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups – Easy Holiday Treat – is surprisingly simple to make, even for baking newbies? Get ready to impress your family and friends with a festive dessert that’s both delicious and easy to prepare!

Gathering Your Festive Ingredients

Alright, let’s get started! Here’s what you’ll need to create these amazing roll-ups. Don’t worry, most of it is stuff you probably already have!

For the Cranberry Filling:

• 1 (12 ounce) bag fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed is best!)
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of ground cloves

For the Roll-Ups:

• 2 sheets (14.1 ounces each) refrigerated puff pastry, thawed
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar, for sprinkling
• Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)

Crafting the Cranberry Magic: Why This Recipe Works

What makes these cranberry roll-ups so irresistible? It’s the perfect balance of flavors and textures! The cranberries offer a bright tartness that’s beautifully complemented by the sweetness of the sugar and the warmth of the spices. The puff pastry provides a light, flaky base that melts in your mouth. Plus, the whole process is incredibly straightforward, making it a fantastic option for busy holiday schedules.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Let’s Roll!

Okay, here comes the fun part! Follow these simple steps, and you’ll be enjoying warm cranberry roll-ups in no time.

Prepping the Cranberry Filling:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, orange juice, orange zest, cinnamon, and cloves.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens slightly. This should take about 10-15 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and let cool completely. Pro Tip: Cooling the filling is crucial! Warm filling will make the puff pastry soggy.

Assembling the Roll-Ups:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. On a lightly floured surface, unfold one sheet of puff pastry.
3. Brush the pastry with 1 tablespoon of melted butter.
4. Spread half of the cooled cranberry filling evenly over the buttered pastry.
5. Carefully roll the pastry into a tight log, starting from one long side.
6. Using a sharp knife, slice the log into approximately 1-inch thick rounds.
7. Place the roll-ups, cut-side up, on the prepared baking sheet.
8. Repeat steps 2-7 with the remaining puff pastry, butter, and cranberry filling.
9. Sprinkle the tops of the roll-ups with the remaining granulated sugar.

Baking to Golden Perfection:

1. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the roll-ups are golden brown and the pastry is cooked through.
2. Let cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
3. Dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.

Troubleshooting Tips & Tricks: Baking Bliss

Even the easiest recipes can sometimes throw us a curveball! Here are a few tips to ensure your cranberry roll-ups are a smashing success.

• Puff Pastry Perfection: Make sure your puff pastry is properly thawed but still cold. This will help it puff up beautifully in the oven. If it gets too warm, it will be difficult to work with.
• Avoiding Soggy Bottoms: Ensure the cranberry filling is completely cooled before spreading it on the puff pastry. Excess moisture is the enemy of crispy pastry!
• Clean Cuts: Use a sharp knife to slice the roll-ups. A dull knife will squish the pastry and make it difficult to get clean, even slices. A serrated knife works wonders!
• Even Baking: Rotate the baking sheet halfway through baking to ensure the roll-ups bake evenly.

Cranberry Creations: Variations and Substitutions

Want to put your own spin on these cranberry roll-ups? Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing!

• Nutty Delight: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the cranberry filling for a delightful crunch.
• Citrus Burst: Substitute lemon juice and zest for the orange juice and zest.
• Cream Cheese Swirl: For an extra decadent treat, spread a thin layer of cream cheese over the puff pastry before adding the cranberry filling.
• Spiced Up: Experiment with different spices like cardamom, ginger, or nutmeg.

Serving Suggestions: Make it a Holiday Feast

These cranberry roll-ups are delicious on their own, but they’re even better when paired with other holiday treats! Serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. They also make a fantastic addition to a holiday brunch spread. And if you’re looking for something else cranberry-filled, consider making CRANBERRY SAUCE or its sister recipe, CRANBERRY SAUCE. Both are fantastic additions to the holiday table.

Beyond Roll-Ups: Other Holiday Baking Adventures

Once you’ve mastered these cranberry roll-ups, why not expand your holiday baking repertoire? You could also try making APPLE CIDER CHEESECAKE COOKIES for a taste of fall flavor, or maybe even a CINNAMON ROLL CUPCAKE. And for a savory complement, give CRANBERRY JALAPENO DIP or CRANBERRY JALAPEÑO DIP a try. The possibilities are endless!

Storing Your Festive Treats: Keeping the Holiday Cheer Alive

If you have any leftover cranberry roll-ups (which is unlikely!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can also freeze them for longer storage. To reheat, simply warm them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until heated through.

Final Thoughts: A Holiday Baking Win!

So, there you have it – a simple yet stunning recipe for Festive Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups! These little gems are guaranteed to be a hit at your next holiday gathering. They’re easy to make, bursting with flavor, and utterly irresistible. Now go forth and bake up some holiday cheer!

Easy Festive Cranberry Roll-Ups

Amelia Chen-Morrison

These cranberry roll-ups feature flaky puff pastry swirled with a vibrant, sweet-tart cranberry filling, perfect for the holidays. Easy to make and bursting with flavor, they are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser at any festive gathering.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 16

Calories 250 kcal

Equipment

• Medium saucepan
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Baking Sheet
• Parchment paper
• Rolling Pin
• sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Wire rack

Ingredients

  

• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup orange juice
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of ground cloves
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• ¼ cup granulated sugar, for sprinkling
• Powdered sugar, for dusting optional
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, for dusting

Instructions

 

• In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, orange juice, orange zest, cinnamon, and cloves.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens slightly, about 10-15 minutes.
• Remove from heat and let cool completely.
• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• On a lightly floured surface, unfold one sheet of puff pastry.
• Brush the pastry with 1 tablespoon of melted butter.
• Spread half of the cooled cranberry filling evenly over the buttered pastry.
• Carefully roll the pastry into a tight log, starting from one long side.
• Using a sharp knife, slice the log into approximately 1-inch thick rounds.
• Place the roll-ups, cut-side up, on the prepared baking sheet.
• Repeat steps with the remaining puff pastry, butter, and cranberry filling.
• Sprinkle the tops of the roll-ups with the remaining granulated sugar.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the roll-ups are golden brown and the pastry is cooked through.
• Let cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.

Notes

Ensure the cranberry filling is completely cooled before assembling the roll-ups to prevent soggy pastry. For cleaner slices, use a sharp, serrated knife. Rotate the baking sheet halfway through baking for even browning. Store leftover roll-ups in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for longer storage. Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warmed through.