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Raspberry Sweet Rolls
4.4 from 630 votes

Raspberry Sweet Rolls

Raspberry Sweet Rolls are yeast-raised rolls filled with a raspberry, brown sugar, and lemon zest filling, topped with a lemony cream cheese frosting. The dough is enriched with shortening or butter, eggs, and sugar, yielding soft, tender rolls. The filling provides a sweet and tangy contrast that complements the creamy frosting after baking.

Cook Time
17 mins
Servings: 24
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the dough:
  • 2 yeast 4 1/2 teaspoons), dissolved in 1 cup lukewarm water, packages
  • 6 tablespoons shortening or unsalted butter
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 9 cups all-purpose flour unbleached
  • 2 cups water hot
  • 2 egg beaten
  • 1 tablespoon salt
For the filling:
  • 1/2 cup butter softened
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 3 1/2 cups raspberry
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • lemon zest of 1 large
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
For the frosting:
  • 4 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Add yeast to 1 cup of lukewarm water. Stir with a spoon and set aside for about five minutes.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, add shortening, sugar, and salt to hot water and beat for 30 seconds. Let cool to lukewarm temperature. Stir in 2 cups of flour and mix until smooth. Add yeast mixture and mix until well combined. Mix in the beaten eggs.
  3. Gradually stir in the remaining flour and mix with the dough hook for about 2 minutes. Remove dough from the bowl and place on a lightly floured counter. Knead by hand, add a little flour if the dough is still sticky. Knead until dough feels satiny and smooth.
  4. Put the dough in a greased bowl and cover with a towel. Let rise for 30 minutes or until dough doubles in size.
  5. Remove dough from bowl and place on a lightly floured counter. Divide dough in half. With a rolling pin, roll one half of the dough into a rectangular shape. Spread dough evenly with 4 tablespoons of softened butter. Sprinkle dough with 1/4 cup brown sugar. In a medium bowl, carefully stir together the raspberries, granulated sugar, lemon zest, and cornstarch. Sprinkle half of the raspberry mixture over the dough.
  6. Gently roll up dough into one long roll. Cut rolls, using a piece of dental floss or thread, about two inches thick. Place rolls into a greased 9X13 baking pan.
  7. Now follow the exact same steps with the other half of the dough, using the remaining ingredients.
  8. Place rolls in a warm spot and cover with a towel. Let rolls rise until double in bulk, about an hour. Bake rolls at 350 degrees F for 25-32 minutes or until golden brown on top. The insides should be soft, but not doughy. Remove pans from oven and let cool on a wire rack.
  9. While the rolls are cooling, make the frosting. In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and lemon zest. Using electric mixer, beat until smooth. Spread frosting on rolls and serve.