👩‍🍳 Cranberry Goat Cheese Rolls That Steal The Show

I really love the holidays—especially the cozy comfort foods and sweet treats that come with them. I still remember the first time I made a full Thanksgiving dinner all by myself, in the tiniest kitchen you can imagine.

We were living in our old farmhouse, and the kitchen had just two upper cabinets, two lower ones, a rollaway cart, and an old stove that liked to turn itself off. Somehow, I pulled it off. I roasted a high-heat turkey that came out juicy and perfect (still my favorite way to cook a bird), whipped up mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and even made both pumpkin and apple pie. It was chaos—and I loved every second.

Last year, I wanted to add more holiday recipes to my site, so I set out to create a brand-new roll recipe—something festive and flavorful, but also pretty enough for a special occasion. These Cranberry Goat Cheese Rolls totally hit the mark. I love goat cheese for its salty, creamy bite, and since it was November, I had cranberries on the brain nonstop. The combo is magic—tangy, sweet, and rich all at once.

Cranberry Goat Cheese Rolls are pillowy soft and way more impressive on the holiday table than plain old dinner rolls. The sugared cranberries add a pop of sparkle and sweetness, while the goat cheese brings that luscious savory contrast that makes every bite addictive. They’re festive, flavorful, and surprisingly simple to make.

Honestly, I’ve been dreaming up ways to serve these Cranberry Goat Cheese Rolls ever since I first made them. I’m even working on a glaze to drizzle over the top—just to take them up one more notch. In the meantime, go make a batch. I hope you love them as much as I do.

🛒 Cranberry Goat Cheese Rolls Ingredient List

🥣 Visual Process for Making These Cranberry Goat Cheese Rolls

Start by adding a little warm water and honey to the bowl of your stand mixer. Sprinkle the yeast over the top and let it sit for a few minutes—it’s always fun to watch it get all foamy and bubbly as it wakes up.

Once the yeast is nice and active, add the eggs, flour, melted butter, and salt. Let the mixer knead the dough until it’s smooth and springs back when you press it—usually around 6 to 7 minutes. Then cover it up and let it rise until it doubles in size.

Next, roll the dough out into a big rectangle, about 12×18 inches. Spread softened butter all over the surface, then scatter on the sugared cranberries, crumbled goat cheese, and a sprinkle of fresh thyme.

Roll it up tightly from the long edge, then use unflavored dental floss to slice it into individual rolls. (Or, if you want an easier method, try cutting the dough into strips first and rolling each one up—haven’t tested it, but it sounds promising!) Arrange the rolls in a buttered casserole dish—two if you end up with extras. Let them rise again while your oven preheats. This time, they’ll puff up to about 150% of their original size.

Bake until golden brown, and serve warm. Absolute holiday magic

Cranberry Goat Cheese Rolls

Looking for a cranberry bread recipe? Try these Cranberry Goat Cheese Rolls—simple to make, packed with flavor, and perfect for any meal!

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Proofing 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Course Bread

Cuisine American

Servings 20 servings

Calories 321 kcal

Ingredients

  

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• 1 cup warm milk (110℉, 45 seconds in the microwave does the trick)
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2¼ tsp active dry yeast
• 2 large eggs
• ⅓ cup melted butter
• 4 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for rolling)
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 cup room-temperature salted butter
• 2 tbsp garlic powder
• 1-2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 4 oz softened goat cheese
• ½-¾ cup minced fresh cranberries
• 2 tsp granulated sugar

Instructions

 

• Pour 1 cup warm milk and 2 tbsp honey into a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment. Stir well, then sprinkle 2¼ tsp active dry yeast on top. Let the mixture sit for 5–7 minutes, undisturbed, until the yeast becomes active and frothy.
  
• Add 2 large eggs, 4 cups all-purpose flour, and 1 tsp kosher salt. Stir until combined, then knead for 5–7 minutes or until a finger indentation springs back when pressed.
• Roll the dough into a ball by tucking the sides underneath and pinching together. Place it back in the bowl (no need to oil it, as I find it’s harder to shape the dough if the bowl is oiled). Let it sit for 1–2 hours or until it has doubled in size.
  
• Meanwhile, combine 1 cup room-temperature salted butter, 1 tsp salt, 2 tbsp garlic powder and 2 minced garlic cloves. Toss 2 tsp granulated sugar with ½-¾ cup minced fresh cranberries and add to the butter mixture.
• Butter two loaf pans and set aside.
• Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide it into two equal portions. Roll each section of dough out into a 12×18-inch rectangle.
• Spread the butter mixture evenly over the dough. Sprinkle with 4 oz softened goat cheese and 1-2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves. Starting with the long edge closest to you, roll the dough up into a fairly tight log.
  
• Using dental floss, slice the log into ¾-1 inch slices. Place the slices in a baking dish (it might take more than one). Let it rise for 30–45 minutes or until almost doubled.
  
• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• When the dough has risen, bake the Cranberry Goat Cheese Garlic Rolls for 25-30 minutes. Look for golden-brown tops and a hollow sound when you gently tap the tops of the rolls. If you're not sure, a thermometer inserted in the center should read about 190°F for perfectly baked rolls.
• Let the Cranberry Bread Rolls cool slightly, then slice and enjoy!

Notes

Room temperature butter makes for easier spreading. Take it out an hour or so before starting.

Substitutions

Use fresh cranberries for the best flavor. Frozen ones work too, just thaw and pat them dry first.

Cream cheese or ricotta makes a great substitute if you’re not a goat cheese fan, though it will be milder in flavor. Feta could work too for a tangier twist.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat in a 300°F oven for 5-10 minutes or microwave in 10-15 second intervals until warmed through.

Nutrition

Calories: 321kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 12gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 139mgSodium: 391mgPotassium: 238mgFiber: 4gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 0IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 4mg

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Cranberry Goat Cheese Rolls Serving Suggestions

If you’re making these cranberry goat cheese rolls, you’ve already got something pretty special on the table—they’re sweet, salty, fluffy little bites of heaven. So now the question is, what do you serve with them? Honestly, they’re perfect for a holiday spread, so I love pairing them with something classic like smoked turkey or herb-crusted chicken. That buttery meat plus the tart cranberries and creamy goat cheese? Total flavor bomb. If you’re doing ham, even better. A sweet glazed ham with those rolls is just chef’s kiss.

They’re also amazing with soup—especially something like a silky butternut squash or creamy roasted tomato. You dip one of those rolls in and suddenly you’re in cozy comfort food land. I also like serving them with a big autumn salad, especially one loaded with roasted butternut squash, spiced pine nuts, goat cheese and tender kale all topped with a flavorful Maple Cider Dressing. And if you want to keep things vegetarian, go with a stuffed acorn squash or sweet potato topped with pecans or a drizzle of honey. Oh—and don’t forget about pork tenderloin. A garlicky roast or something with a cranberry glaze just ties all those holiday flavors together perfectly. Basically, anything warm, savory, and seasonal is going to vibe with these rolls.