Cranberry Orange Cream Cheese Pull-Aparts

When in doubt, bake!

24 Rhodes frozen bread dough rolls, thawed but still cold
5-6 ounces of craisins
¼ cup of melted butter
¾ cup granulated sugar, divided
2/3 cup (6 oz) softened cream cheese
3 T fresh squeezed orange juice
1 T grated orange rind & lemon rind (orange zest, lemon zest)

Icing:
1 cup powdered sugar
5 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

Press about 1 tsp of craisins into each roll. Place rolls into 9 x13 baking pan coated with non-stick cooking spray.

Combine butter, ½ cup sugar, cream cheese and orange juice. Blend well and pour over the rolls. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until double in size.

Preheat oven to 350F. Combine ¼ cup sugar, rinds and remaining craisins; sprinkle mixture over risen rolls.

Bake in preheated oven at 350F for 25 minutes or until rolls in the center are done.

Combine powdered sugar and lemon juice. Drizzle over baked rolls. Serve warm.

Notes:
Don’t use more than 24 rolls in a 9 x 13 even if it looks scant when you start. Don’t use more cream cheese than it calls for unless you are fine with it bubbling over the top in the oven.
I skipped the lemon altogether and it was good that way too. Just didn’t want to fuss with two kinds of juicing etc.

Masala Nuts!

This recipe is super easy! Yummy and good for you! I'm not quite done with the holiday foods yet.

Masala Nuts
1 egg white
2 Tbs cold water
2/3 cup walnut halves
2/3 cup pecan halves
2/3 cup whole almonds
½ cup sugar
1 ½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp ginger
¼ tsp nutmeg

Beat egg white and water until frothy. Stir nuts into mixture to coat, then drain slightly in a colander, 3-4 minutes. Mix sugar and spices in a plastic bag. Add nuts and shake to coat. Spread wet nut mixture in a single layer on a microwaveable plate; microwave on high for 1½ to 2 minutes or until mixture is bubbly. Stir and spread into a single layer again. Return to microwave for another 1½ to 2 minutes. Remove; stir to separate. Cool. Store in a sealed container. Makes 2 cups.

Tips:
If microwaving a second batch, use a clean plate, if you reuse, the sugar residue will burn and cause the next batch of nuts to burn too.

Where I live walnuts and pecans are hard to come by and expensive. Just go with the cheapest nut and do all one kind of needed.

If doubling the recipe – there is no need to double the egg white and water. It makes enough for 4 cups of nuts.

This recipe is good for you! High in antioxidants, protein and fiber. No fat! Be careful they are addictive!