Zesty Lemon Raspberry Rolls Recipe: A Bright Morning Delight

Warm, gooey pastries fresh from the oven always spark joy in any kitchen.

These delectable lemon raspberry rolls combine tangy citrus with sweet berry goodness in a delightful morning treat.

Soft, pillowy dough swirls with bright lemon zest and juicy raspberries that burst with incredible flavor.

Each roll promises a perfect balance of sweet and tart notes that dance across your taste buds.

Homemade baking doesn’t get more delicious or inviting than these stunning pastries.

The aroma of baking rolls will draw everyone to the kitchen, eager to sample your culinary creation.

Savor every bite of these irresistible breakfast delights that turn an ordinary morning into something extraordinary.

Lemon Raspberry Rolls: Bright Features

• Unlock Flavor Complexity: Dive into a gourmet experience with tangy raspberry and bright lemon notes that transform an ordinary breakfast roll into a culinary masterpiece.
• Master Baking Skills: Learn advanced techniques like tangzhong method and windowpane test, elevating your baking confidence with professional-level pastry skills.
• Crowd-Pleasing Showstopper: Perfect for weekend brunches, special celebrations, or impressing family and friends with a stunning homemade dessert that looks and tastes restaurant-quality.
• Customize with Ease: Adaptable recipe allows for personal touches like adjusting fruit intensity or experimenting with different citrus zests to match your taste preferences.

Ingredient List for Lemon Raspberry Rolls

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundational ingredient for creating a soft and tender roll structure.
• Milk: Provides moisture and helps activate the yeast for proper dough development.
• Active Dry Yeast: Essential for creating rise and light texture in the rolls.
• Sugar: Feeds the yeast and adds subtle sweetness to the dough.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the rolls.
• Egg: Adds richness and helps bind the ingredients together.
• Unsalted Butter: Contributes to the soft, tender texture of the rolls.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates a smooth, gelatinized mixture that improves bread texture.
• Milk: Helps form the tangzhong base for a more tender bread.

• Fresh Raspberries: Provides a vibrant, fruity core for the rolls.
• Lemon Zest: Adds bright, citrusy notes to both the filling and frosting.
• Lemon Juice: Intensifies the citrus flavor and balances the sweetness.
• Eggs: Help thicken the raspberry curd and add richness.
• Sugar: Sweetens the raspberry curd and balances the tartness.

• Mascarpone Cheese: Creates a rich, creamy frosting base.
• Heavy Cream: Lightens the frosting and adds smooth texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and helps stabilize the frosting.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the frosting.

Baking Instructions for Zesty Raspberry Rolls

Step 1: Create Magical Tangzhong Base

Whisk flour and milk together in a microwave-safe bowl.

Zap the mixture in short 30-second bursts, stirring between each interval.

Keep heating until the mixture transforms into a thick, glossy slurry that looks like a silky paste.

Step 2: Craft Pillowy Dough

Mix all dough ingredients together, combining milk, yeast, sugar, flour, salt, egg, butter, and your freshly made tangzhong.

Use a dough hook to knead the mixture for 15-20 minutes.

Check readiness by stretching a small piece – it should form a thin, translucent membrane without tearing.

Step 3: Allow First Dough Rise

Shape the dough into a smooth ball and cover with a clean kitchen towel.

Let it rest and rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size, which typically takes about an hour.

Step 4: Whip Up Luscious Raspberry Curd

Combine and cook eggs, sugar, lemon zest, juice, and raspberries in a saucepan.

Heat until the mixture thickens and reaches 170°F.

Strain the vibrant mixture over butter and stir until silky smooth.

Step 5: Roll and Fill Delightful Swirls

Roll the dough into a generous 12×16 inch rectangle.

Generously spread the raspberry curd across the surface.

Carefully roll the dough into a tight log, then slice into 9 beautiful rolls.

Nestle these rolls into a buttered 8-inch baking pan.

Step 6: Final Rise and Bake to Golden Perfection

Allow rolls to rise for another 30 minutes.

Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 20-25 minutes.

They’re ready when the internal temperature hits 190°F and they’re golden brown.

Step 7: Crown with Zesty Frosting

Whip mascarpone with lemon zest, salt, and sugar until completely smooth.

Gently fold in cream and continue whipping until the frosting becomes light and fluffy.

Generously spread over warm rolls.

Tips for Soft, Fruity Breakfast Rolls

• Lightly grease your work surface and rolling pin with oil to easily handle the soft, delicate dough without tearing.
• Ensure your yeast is fresh and active by proofing it in warm milk before adding to the dough mixture for guaranteed rise.
• When making raspberry curd, always strain through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds and create a silky, luxurious texture.
• Use room temperature ingredients to help dough rise evenly and develop a consistent, tender crumb in your rolls.
• Avoid overmixing mascarpone frosting to keep it light and airy, stopping when it reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency.

Fun Ways to Switch Up Lemon Raspberry Rolls

• Gluten-Free Raspberry Rolls: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free blend and xanthan gum for celiac-friendly version.
• Vegan Citrus Rolls: Swap eggs and butter with coconut milk, flax eggs, and plant-based margarine for dairy-free alternative.
• Low-Sugar Berry Option: Substitute sugar with monk fruit sweetener and use sugar-free raspberry preserves for diabetic-friendly recipe.
• Tropical Fruit Variation: Replace raspberries with mango or passion fruit for an exotic flavor profile with similar curd technique.

Serving Lemon Raspberry Rolls for Brunch

• Brunch Centerpiece Delight: Serve these rolls as the star attraction at a weekend brunch, surrounded by fresh berries and mint leaves for a stunning presentation.
• Afternoon Tea Companion: Pair with light Earl Grey tea or a chilled lemonade to complement the bright, tangy flavors of the raspberry and lemon.
• Dessert Elegance: Drizzle extra lemon mascarpone frosting on top and garnish with fresh raspberries for an elevated sweet finish to any meal.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare rolls the night before, refrigerate, then bake fresh in the morning for a hassle-free, crowd-pleasing breakfast treat.

Storing Lemon Raspberry Rolls for Next-Day Treats

• Store cooled lemon raspberry rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover them loosely with plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
• Wrap individual rolls tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Warm refrigerated rolls in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated 300F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore their soft, fresh texture.
• Keep rolls at room temperature for no more than 2 hours to maintain food safety and prevent bacterial growth.

FAQs

• What makes tangzhong unique in this recipe?

Tangzhong is a cooked flour-milk mixture that helps create an extra soft, tender bread texture by pre-gelatinizing the flour, which increases the dough’s moisture retention and creates a lighter, fluffier roll.

• Why do I need to use a dough hook for kneading?

The dough hook ensures proper gluten development by consistently stretching and folding the dough, which helps achieve the windowpane test – a sign of well-developed gluten that creates a smooth, elastic bread texture.

• How do I know when the raspberry curd is properly cooked?

Use a kitchen thermometer to check that the curd reaches 170°F, which ensures the eggs are fully cooked and the mixture has thickened to the right consistency for spreading inside the rolls.

Lemon Raspberry Rolls Recipe

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4.9 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Zesty lemon raspberry rolls bring sunshine to your breakfast table with a perfect balance of tangy and sweet. Fresh raspberries and bright citrus create a delightful morning treat you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Lemon Raspberry Rolls

Main Ingredients:

• 240g (2 cups) all-purpose flour
• 150g (1 1/4 cups) frozen raspberries
• 90g (3 oz) whole milk
• 100g (3.5 oz) whole milk
• 1 egg, room temperature
• 2 eggs

Dairy and Fat Ingredients:

• 56g (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 56g (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, cubed
• 110g (1/2 cup) mascarpone
• 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

Flavoring and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 65g (1/3 cup) granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 24g (3 tablespoons) all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Zest of 1 medium lemon
• Zest of 1 medium lemon
• 40g (3 tablespoons) lemon juice

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Instructions

1. Prepare tangzhong by whisking flour and milk in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between, until mixture transforms into a thick, pudding-like consistency.
2. Create dough by combining milk, yeast, sugar, flour, salt, egg, butter, and prepared tangzhong. Use a dough hook to knead for 15-20 minutes until dough becomes silky and passes the windowpane stretch test.
3. Transfer dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and allow to rise in a warm environment until it doubles in volume, approximately 1 hour.
4. Craft raspberry curd by gently cooking eggs, sugar, lemon zest, juice, and raspberries until mixture thickens and reaches 170°F. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve over butter, stirring until smooth and glossy.
5. Roll out dough into a 12×16 inch rectangle. Generously spread raspberry curd across surface, then tightly roll from the long side. Slice into 9 even portions and nestle into a buttered 8-inch baking pan.
6. Allow rolls to proof for 30 minutes, then bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 190°F and tops turn golden brown.
7. Whip mascarpone with lemon zest, salt, and sugar until well combined. Fold in cream and continue whipping until frosting becomes light and airy.

Notes

• Tangzhong Technique ensures softer, fluffier rolls by pre-gelatinizing flour starches, creating a more tender texture.
• Room Temperature Ingredients help ingredients blend smoothly and activate yeast more effectively during dough preparation.
• Windowpane Test confirms gluten development by stretching a small piece of dough until it becomes thin and translucent without tearing.
• Strain Raspberry Curd carefully to remove seeds and create a silky-smooth filling that spreads evenly inside the rolls.

• Prep Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 50mg