Raspberry Sweet Rolls

Step 1

Dissolve yeast in warm milk for 5 minutes.

Step 2

Add all ingredients except flour and salt in a stand mixer, and mix with dough hook until smooth.

Step 3

Gradually add the flour and salt, and mix until just combined.

Step 4

Turn dough out onto floured surface and knead gently until dough is soft and incorporated. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel or plastic wrap, and let rise until doubled, about an hour.

Step 5

After dough has risen, punch down. Roll out onto floured surface. Roll into a large rectangular shape, about 1/2" thick.

Step 6

In a separate bowl, mix raspberries with white sugar and cornstarch. Mix gently until berries are mashed and ingredients are well combined. Keep raspberry mixture very cold until ready to use. If it's cold it will be a lot less messy. Frozen raspberries work great.

Step 7

Spread butter for filling onto rectangular shaped dough. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Then evenly spread raspberry mixture across dough.

Step 8

Roll dough gently into vertical log. Cut dough at approximately every 1 inch to make 12-18 rolls depending on how big each roll is. Place in a pan that is coated with cooking spray or lined with parchment paper.

Step 9

Cover and let rise for 45-60 more minutes until doubled in size. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes (depending on size of rolls). Once the tops are a golden brown, they are done.

Step 10

While rolls are baking, prepare cream cheese frosting. In a stand mixer whip butter and cream cheese on high speed, until fully incorporated.

Step 11

Then turn down the speed and add the lemon zest, vanilla, and powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, alternating with milk or cream (1 tbsp at a time).  Continue adding powdered sugar and milk until you get a smooth consistency. Set aside until rolls are done.

Step 12

When the rolls are light brown on top they are done! (If they're not brown on top they won't be cooked enough inside.) Remove from oven and frost immediately!