Homemade Delight: Easy Cherry Sweet Rolls with Icing

Nostalgic Appeal

These sweet rolls remind me of those warm and comforting bakery treats, but with a homemade touch that makes them even more special. The combination of soft dough, sweet cherry filling, and sugary icing is a classic for a reason. It’s a treat that evokes feelings of warmth, happiness, and those delightful moments savoring a delicious pastry with a cup of coffee or tea.

Homemade Focus

While you could certainly buy pre-made sweet rolls or pastries, there’s something truly special about making these Cherry Sweet Rolls from scratch. You control the quality of the ingredients, and the process of creating the dough, filling, and icing is a fun and rewarding experience.

Flavor Goal

The flavor profile I’m aiming for is a delightful balance of sweet, buttery, and fruity flavors with a hint of orange zest. The dough provides a soft and fluffy foundation, the cherry filling adds a burst of sweetness and tartness, and the icing provides a final touch of sweetness and a beautiful finish.

Ingredient Insights

Let’s explore the key ingredients that make these sweet rolls so special! For the dough, we use [active dry yeast, warm water, orange juice, orange zest, sugar, eggs, flour, melted butter, and salt, creating a soft and flavorful dough that rises beautifully]. For the filling, we use [cherry pie filling, adding a sweet and tart layer with a burst of fruity flavor]. And finally, for the icing, we use [powdered sugar and milk, creating a simple yet sweet icing].

Essential Equipment

For this recipe, you’ll need a few key pieces of equipment: a large bowl for mixing the dough, a zester for the orange peel, a rolling pin for rolling out the dough, a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and a small bowl for the icing.

Ingredients

• 1 envelope active dry yeast
• 3 tablespoons warm water
• 3 tablespoons orange juice
• 1/2 teaspoon grated orange peel
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 can cherry pie filling
• 2/3 cup powdered sugar
• 2 1/2 teaspoons milk

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Activate the Yeast: Add warm water to a large bowl, then sprinkle your yeast on top. You can mix it up a little. Then let it rest for about 5 minutes.
2. Prepare the Orange: Zest your orange while you wait for your yeast to proof. Then after you zest, cut your orange in half and squeeze the juice out of it into a small bowl for the recipe.
3. Make the Dough: Add the orange juice, orange peel, sugar, salt, melted butter, and egg to the bowl with your proofed yeast in it. Stir in 1 cup of the flour and mix until smooth. Then gradually stir in the remaining 3/4 cup of flour to make a soft dough. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
4. Fill and Shape: After the dough has risen, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and roll into a large rectangle. Spread with the cherry filling, leaving about 1/2 inch to 1 inch around the edges. Roll up lengthwise and cut into one-inch slices.
5. Bake: Place the slices in a lightly greased 8-inch round pan or 8×8 or 9×9 baking dish. Let rise again until doubled if you want. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes in a 375°F (190°C) oven.
6. Make the Icing: Mix your powdered sugar and milk for icing. Start with 1 teaspoon of milk at a time.
7. Ice and Serve: Pour the icing over the warm rolls and serve warm or cold.

Troubleshooting

• Dough is not rising: Make sure the yeast is fresh and that the water is warm, not hot. You can also try adding a pinch of sugar to the yeast mixture to help activate it.
• Rolls are dry: Avoid overbaking the rolls. Start checking for doneness at around 35 minutes.
• Icing is too runny: Add more powdered sugar to thicken the icing.

Tips and Variations

• Use different flavors of pie filling, such as blueberry, apple, or peach.
• Add chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the dough for extra flavor and texture.
• Drizzle with melted chocolate or a simple glaze made with powdered sugar and milk for an extra touch of sweetness.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

These Easy Cherry Sweet Rolls with Icing are delicious on their own, but they also pair well with a cup of coffee or tea. They’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack any time of day.

Nutritional Information (Estimated, per serving)

(This information is an estimate based on average values for the ingredients used and a serving size of one sweet roll. Actual values may vary depending on specific brands, ingredient substitutions, and portion sizes.)

• Calories: Approximately 250-300
• Fat: Approximately 10-12g
• Saturated Fat: Approximately 6-7g
• Cholesterol: Approximately 30-40mg
• Protein: Approximately 4-5g
• Carbohydrates: Approximately 40-45g
• Fiber: Approximately 1-2g
• Sugar: Approximately 20-25g
• Sodium: Approximately 150-200mg

To get more precise nutritional information:

1. Use a nutrition calculator: Many online calculators allow you to input the specific brands and quantities of ingredients you use. This will give you the most accurate results.
2. Check food labels: Pay close attention to the nutrition facts panels on the packaging of your ingredients.
3. Adjust for variations: If you make substitutions (e.g., different type of pie filling), adjust the calculations accordingly.

Print

Recipe Summary and Q&A

Q: Can I make these sweet rolls ahead of time?

A: Yes! You can prepare the dough and filling ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator. Assemble and bake the rolls when you’re ready to serve.

Q: Can I freeze these sweet rolls?

A: Yes, you can freeze them. Bake the rolls first, let them cool completely, then wrap them tightly and freeze them. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.

Q: Can I use a different type of icing?

A: Absolutely! You can use a different type of icing, such as cream cheese frosting or a simple glaze made with powdered sugar and milk.