raspberry cinnamon rolls topped with lemon cream cheese frosting

Raspberry cinnamon rolls topped with lemon cream cheese frosting sound amazing! The sweet, tart raspberry flavor would pair beautifully with the warm, spiced cinnamon, and the creamy, tangy lemon frosting would add the perfect zesty finish. Here’s a breakdown of how to make them:

Ingredients:

For the Cinnamon Rolls:

• 1 ½ cups warm milk
• 2 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries (mashed slightly)

For the Cinnamon Filling:

• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup softened butter

For the Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Prepare the dough:

   • In a large bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.
   • Stir in sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, and egg. Gradually add flour and salt, mixing until a dough forms. Knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic.
   • Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.

2. Make the filling:

   • Mix together brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
   • Roll out the dough on a floured surface into a rectangle. Spread softened butter over the dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the butter.
   • Add the mashed raspberries evenly on top of the sugar mixture, ensuring not to overload it with too much juice.

3. Assemble the rolls:

   • Starting from one edge, carefully roll the dough into a log.
   • Slice the roll into 12-15 pieces and place them into a greased baking pan.
   • Let the rolls rise for an additional 30 minutes before baking.

4. Bake the rolls:

   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
   • Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes or until they’re golden brown.

5. Make the frosting:

   • In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.

6. Frost and serve:

   • Once the cinnamon rolls are done baking and have slightly cooled, spread the lemon cream cheese frosting generously on top.
   • Serve warm and enjoy!

Would you like any tips on making these or adjustments for a specific preference?