What a trip this post has been.
Let’s take a walk back in time. Few weeks ago I received an email from Hodgson Mill asking if I was interested in participating in their “Have a GRAIN Holiday” baking contest, using one of their flours.
The idea of trying new flours was tempting, especially since they don’t sell it in my area. So, after doing a little happy dance, I replied with a big YES!
Few days later the mailman rang the bell giving me a package with my Hodgson Mill Flours.
Everything was set, I was a little nervous trying a new flour, since, as you probably know, flours are different. They may all be wheat flours but the protein/gluten level is different from company to company and since this was the first time I baked with Hodgson Mill I did not know what to expect.
The November #chocolateparty was fast approaching as well and to have time on my side, why not bake something using Hodgson Mill flours for the party.
Great idea, right?
After three attempts (in two days), I finally figured out how to make chocolate brioche using Hodgson Mill Bread Flour.
Now it was time to combine the chocolate brioche with November #chocolateparty secret ingredient - cranberries.
Cranberry Chocolate Brioche Rolls!
Thursday I finally got around making the rolls. Friday I took the photos. Was ready to sit down and write this post.
Or so I thought.
Starting Saturday my internet connection was so slow I could hardly upload any photos and yesterday the modem shut down. What a beautiful weekend, what else could go wrong. No internet and less than 24 hours until the chocolateparty.
Oh, but it got worse with every minute.
After we all had breakfast and played with Tiffany I said to myself, why not edit the photos and white the entire post in a word document and just take a quick trip to McDonald’s when I’m done to upload it on the blog.
Another brilliant idea, of course.
Only this time the camera card was nowhere to be found. All the photos I took for this week’s posts were gone. GONE!!
Panic time was just around the corner.
When would I have time to make another chocolate brioche, fill it with cranberry sauce and take some decent photos all before 5 0′clock when it now gets dark out?!?!
I was ready to throw in the towel.
All I could think of was some quick chocolate cranberries cookies, similar with the pumpkin chocolate cookies I made last month.
All set and done, cookies were to be made for November Chocolate Party and my chocolate brioche for “Have a GRAIN holiday” baking contest had to wait few more days.
Quickly whipped up the cookies dough, place it in the fridge until cold enough to be handled and, just like a multi-tasking mom, I decided to fold the pile of clothes I “forgot” last night in the dryer.
And just like the light at the end of the tunnel, there it was, on the bottom of my dryer, my camera card.
I felt how my knees weakened, my hands started shaking : was it possible? it was really happening? was there a hope?
I rushed up the stars, turn the laptop on and said a little prayer while the photos were uploading one by one.
I was so happy I had tears in my eyes (although the idea of having chocolate brioche AGAIN for dinner wasn’t that bad)
So here I’m, with a McDonald’s coffee in front of my warming my hands one my one and slowly typing, sharing with you the history of these cranberry chocolate brioche rolls.
The rolls were just at the limit between sweetness and tartness.
On one side you have the slightly sweet brioche with a deep chocolate taste from the unsweetened cocoa powder, on the other side you have the tart cranberry sauce all combined perfectly with the sweet cream cheese icing.
You take a bite, first is the icing that touches your lips, followed by the soft brioche and in the end the cranberry sauce leaves you wanting more and more.
Cranberry Chocolate Brioche Rolls Recipe - Soft and slightly sweet chocolate brioche filled with tart cranberry sauce and topped with sweet cream cheese icing. Delicious in every bite.
Ingredients
- 1 2/3 cups (210 grams) Hodgson Mill bread flour
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) lukewarm milk
- 1 tsp yeast
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 eggs (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup (40 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 6 tbsp (85 grams) melted butter
- 10 oz (280 grams) fresh cranberries
- 1/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1-2 tsp warm milk
- 4 oz (113 grams) cream cheese (room temperature)
- 1/3 cup (40 grams) powder sugar
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl add the 1 2/3 cup bread flour. Make a well in the middle and pour the 1/3 cup lukewarm milk in. Sprinkle the yeast on top of it and leave at room temperature until the yeast has dissolved and bubbles start to appear.
- Add the sugar, salt and eggs and, with the dough hook on, start mixing on low speed.
- Gradually add the cocoa powder.
- When the cocoa powder is incorporated increase the speed to low-to-medium and slowly pour the melted butter.
- When all the butter is incorporated increase the speed to maximum (on my mixer that is 12) and mix for 2-3 minutes. (at this point the dough is a sticky mess but, please, do not be tempted to add more flour, it will come together with a little patience)
- With a spatula clean the sides of the bowl and the hook and start mixing again for 2-3 more minutes.
- Clean and mix again. Do it for 3-4 more times until the dough starts to pull itself from the sides of the bowl and makes a slapping sound.
- Clean the sides of the bowl and the dough hook and place the dough into a buttered bowl.
- Cover with plastic wrap and leave at room temperature to rise until doubled in volume.
- Meanwhile make the cranberry sauce.
- In a small saucepan add the cranberries, orange juice, cinnamon and 1/2 cup sugar.
- Cook over medium speed for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Leave to cool completely.
- When the dough has doubled in volume, roll it out onto a lightly floured surface into a 12X8 rectangle.
- Spread the cranberry sauce all over it and roll it starting from one of the wide sides.
- With a piece of strong thread or an unflavored dental floss cut the roll into 8 (almost equal) rolls.
- Place them into an 11X7 baking pan lined with parchment paper.
- Cover again and let rise for 30 more minutes.
- In the meantime, heat the oven to 375F.
- Bake the rolls for 25 minutes in the heated oven.
- When the rolls are almost done, make the icing.
- In a small bowl add the milk, cream cheese and sugar and stir until well combined. Pour over warm rolls.
- Enjoy!
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The giveaway is now closed
Would you like to make your own Cranberry Chocolate Brioche Rolls?
I’ve got you covered!
Hodgson Mill is giving away to one of you a pack just like mine
One (1) 5lb. bag of Hodgson Mill Whole Wheat Flour
One (1) 2lb. bag of Hodgson Mill Best for Bread Flour
One (1) 2lb. bag of Hodgson Mill Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
- branded measuring cups and spatulas.
To enter just leave a comment below telling me what would you like to bake first with the Hodgson Mill Flour.
For additional entries – (please leave a comment for each entry)
1.Subscribe to Roxana’s Home Baking weekly Newsletter
2.Friend me on Google + and leave your name in the comment area
3.Share this post on Google+ tagging +Roxana GreenGirl and leave the link to the comment in the area.
4. Follow all my boards on Pinterest and leave your name in the comment area
5. Pin this post and leave a comment with the link to your pin
6. Like A little bit of everything and leave your name in the comment area.
7.Share this post on Facebook and leave a link to your post in the comment area
8. For a $1 off coupon tweet the following Get $1 off healthy @HodgsonMillInc flour in time for the holidays! Tis the season to share – please RT! http://bit.ly/1Coupon #HAGH
9. Spread the word about the Hodgson Mill Sweepstakes by tweeting the following Lighten up your holidays by entering to win a Baker’s Gift Pack of healthy @HodgsonMillInc products! Please RT! http://bit.ly/HMSweeps #HAGH
10 easy entries!
Giveaway opened to US residents only until Sunday November 11th at 11.59pm EST. Good luck!!!
Check out what my wonderful friends brought to the party. Wanna join us? Make something until November 30th using both chocolate and cranberries, blog about it, letting your readers know about our party, and submit your link to the tool below
{ 87 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve never had a lot of success at making a bread that can last for more than one day but, if I win this one, I’d be attempting a hearty whole wheat bread. Maybe one of YOUR favorite recipes?
This cake-like bread roll looks fantastic! Perfect for the winter!
I would love to make Anadama bread first.
This looks amazing! I might try it with a tart cherry filling since I love cherries so much.
What an ordeal! (And what a relief that you found your camera card!)
This bioche looks so decadent and delicious, I’m sure it was worth everything you had to go through to get it posted. I adore cranberries and chocolate!
I just have to say, that a LOve love every recipe from you!
xo Neja
Your Cranberry Chocolate Rolls look amazing. I would make some whole wheat cranberry quick bread, if I win!
What a story!!! These rolls look amazing, and I am so glad you found your memory card, so stressful! I hope your internet comes back soon.
What would I bake first – whole wheat bread. I have a recipe I want to try, I just haven’t gotten around to it yet!
I follow you on Pinterest
I pinned – http://pinterest.com/pin/151715081168553226/
I like you on facebook
What a gorgeous recipe, Roxana! It’s original & holiday perfect! Beautiful photos too
If I were to win the flour, I would make my favorite brown bread!
Pinned! http://pinterest.com/pin/215680269626128502/
Sounds like you had one heck of a weekend! Your rolls look deliciously good and all is well now – yea!
Those are so pretty! They would be perfect packaged up for a Christmas gift!
Oh, my gosh…what an ordeal!!! But the final result is stunning…and certainly delicious! So glad you found the camera card…whew.
These rolls are divine, I’m so happy for you that you found your camera card!
I can’t wait to make the cranberry chocolate brioche–my two favorite holiday flavored!
and this is why i love ya! you keep trying until you get it right- just like me! If i don’t succeed on my first attempt I am not weary- I will just do it again! This looks fantastic and beautiful and rich and moist and just plain delicious! If only I had a taste!
My recipe for three cheese bread with the whole wheat flour – yum!
I’ve never tried a chocolate bread and certainly never paired chocolate and cranberries but this looks like it could melt in my mouth.
I would try these rolls of yours Roxana. How crazy your weekend was trying to get this post up.
I follow you on Pinterest
I follow you on G+
I pinned your recipe
I tweeted the sweepstakes!
I would love to make my famous pumpkin pie rolls. My fruit kolaches would be awesome too.
Oh my goodness – this is absolutely gorgeous!!
Hi Kristen,
Congratulations, you just won the Hodgson Mill Flour Giveaway! Yay!
Please email me roxana (at) roxanagreengirl (dot) com your address
I would make these rolls! Hot diggiddy dog!
I follow you on Pinterest!
I pinned this! http://pinterest.com/pin/142778250657940157/
I tweeted! https://twitter.com/singerinkitchen/status/265642009388253184
I follow you on Facebook!
I’m too tired to think of anything but bread right now. So, bread is what I’ll bake first.
What a beautiful bread! I admire that you are such a wonderful baker. This is making my mouth water!! Lovely photos!
I’ve been on a whole wheat pumpkin muffin kick for the past few weeks, and I think it’s time to start mixing it up. This chocolate recipe would be an amazing Thanksgiving dessert.
Wow, your recipe looks seriously amazing!!! What a beautiful idea, and the cranberry sauce is a gorgeous addition! Beautiful, Hugs, Terra
I’d use the Hodgson Mills whole wheat flour to make my favorite bread, a super healthy seedy oatmeal bread
I tweeted about the $1 off coupon
I spread the word about the Hodgson Mill Sweepstakes by tweeting the link
I shared the contest link on FB
https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.roxanashomebaking.com%2Fcranberry-chocolate-brioche-rolls-recipe-chocolateparty%2F%23comment-18427
I LIKE a Little Bit of Everything on FB
Roxana, what a harrowing ordeal! I’m so glad you found your photos (although you’re right, another night of these delicious brioche rolls for dinner would’ve been awesome). These look crazy good – what a fantastic way of combining the two ingredients this month.
I´m still laughing so hard at your cord in the dryer and tears of joy; only other food obsessed bloggers can understand so much happiness! This is a great post, and the brioche is absolutely stunning Roxana! The fact that you were going to make it again is awesome, and the flavors just perfect!
I would bake some cinnamon bread.
I like A Little Bit of Everything.
Oh no! So sorry to hear about your troubles… oh but was it worth it! These rolls look absolutely out-of-this-world!!! PS: I’m hoping to join the party later this month.
I would bake a lovely loaf of whole wheat bread for dinner. Pairing it with a steaming bowl of savory soup, perfect for an autumn evening.
I am a happy subscriber of your blog!
STUNNING!!! I’m affraid that if I made these I would hoard them all and not want to share!
Your photos are so tempting- I’m craving a bite as I type this- it just isn’t right;-)
Beautiful rolls- thanks so much for sharing your recipe!!!
I would bake cookies, cakes and bread!!
I’m following all of your boards on Pinterest. I am at “aleedallas”
I tweeted the tweet at: https://twitter.com/HipFoodieMom1
I pinned this post: http://pinterest.com/aleedallas/sweet-treats/
I liked A Little bit of Everything on Facebook
How did I never use this flour before? So curious now to try it. Thanks for a great giveaway! I’d really rather try the rolls right now-love them!!
Holy cow Roxana!! These rolls look incredible!
These rolls are so gorgeous, Roxana..the perfect holiday treat. I forgot to thank you for your amazing advice regarding my situation..it really helped a lot. I’m just going to write and write as best I can
Hopefully it starts to come back! I need to post the end of my story!
I would love to try and make croissants with it!
I’m sure I could find some delicious holiday treat to make
Cookies, pie, brownies, rolls, sweet breads…so many options!
Yummy, yum, yum! The first thing I would make w my new flour would be your gorgeous creation from above.
I have ‘liked ” you on facebook
This recipe looks so good. I can’t wait to try it. I can totally relate to losing your memory card. I go one step further however and lose my camera almost every other day!
I follow you on Pinterest.
Pinned ~ http://pinterest.com/pin/80783387037483846/
Liked on facebook – Tammy McGirr Northrup
shared on facebook – https://www.facebook.com/YoursAndMineAreOurs
Glad you found your camera card
These look heavenly!
https://www.facebook.com/lisa.spivak.3?ref=tn_tnmn
Link to the post : https://www.facebook.com/lisa.spivak.3/posts/535509936476509
Following you on Google+
I have been following you on Pinterest
I repinned this: http://pinterest.com/pin/257197828690901202/
I liked your FB page
Shared on Google+
https://plus.google.com/u/0/110341439943016783673/posts/CJsih7sWjd2
I tweeted the $1 OFF COUPON
https://twitter.com/momma6cat/status/267282698047987712
I spread the word about the Hodgson Mill Sweepstakes via Twitter
https://twitter.com/momma6cat/status/267282590938046465
That was quite a story with a great outcome and double helpings of brioche. This is a great innovative way to combine cranberries and chocolate.
These brioche rolls are absolutely gorgeous. I’m glad things turned out all right in the end or we would have missed out enjoying these, too. What a perfect recipe for the Chocolate Party.
These look amazing! Great breakfast idea for Thanksgiving morning!
Thanks for hosting this fun-themed chocolate party for November! Your brioche rolls look AMAZING!
Roz
I LOVE cranberries and chocolate together! What a fun round up, Roxana! Thanks for hosting.
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