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Lemon Raspberry Cinnamon Rolls

Lemon Raspberry Cinnamon Rolls

Delicious Lemon Raspberry Cinnamon Rolls are soft, fluffy, and perfect for breakfast or dessert, featuring fresh raspberry filling and white chocolate buttercream.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Inactive Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Course Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine American, Baking
Servings 12 rolls
Calories 210 kcal

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking pan
  • electric stand mixer
  • rubber spatula
  • Whisk
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • dental floss

Ingredients
  

For the Cinnamon Rolls

  • 2 0.25 ounce packages active dry yeast
  • ½ cup warm water between 110 and 115 degrees (F)
  • 4.75 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1 cup whole milk aka full-fat milk
  • 10 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • 2 Tablespoons lemon zest finely grated
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 2 pints fresh raspberries more for decorating

For the Lemon Sugar Filling

  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
  • 2 Tablespoons lemon zest finely grated
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature

For the White Chocolate Frosting

  • ¾ cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • 2 cups confectioners sugar sifted, more if needed
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 Tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 4 ounces quality white chocolate melted and cooled for 10 minutes

Instructions
 

For the Cinnamon Rolls

  • Lightly grease the sides and bottom of a 9x13-inch baking pan with nonstick baking spray or butter and set aside until needed.
  • Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the warm water and set aside for 10 minutes, or until the yeast has bubbled up.
  • In the meantime, in the bowl of an electric stand mixer, combine the flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and cardamom, and whisk well to combine.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, melted butter, lemon zest, and eggs, beating until well combined.
  • Add the wet ingredients, and the active yeast mixture, to the dry ingredients. Using a rubber spatula, stir together to form a shaggy dough.
  • Place the bowl on the stand mixer and attach the dough hook. Turn the mixer to medium-speed and knead the dough for about 8 to 10 minutes, or the dough is still soft, silky, and pulling away from the edges of the bowl.
  • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside for 1 hour, or until it’s puffed up and doubled in size.

For the Lemon Sugar Filling

  • In a medium bowl, add both sugars, lemon zest, ground cinnamon, ground cardamom, and salt and mix well to evenly combine.
  • Cut the butter into small cubes and set aside until needed.

Assembly and Baking

  • Dust the counter lightly with flour. Scrape the dough out onto the counter and sprinkle the top of the dough with a little more flour. Gently, roll the dough into a rectangle, about 12x18-inches wide.
  • Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough, leaving a ¼-inch border around the edge. Sprinkle evenly with the lemon sugar mixture. Then sprinkle the raspberries evenly on top of the sugar.
  • Starting from the long edge closest to you, roll the dough into a log, jelly roll style, keeping it as tight as possible while rolling.
  • Score the dough lightly into 12 equal pieces. Cut the dough at the score marks. The easiest way to do this is to slide a long piece of unflavored dental floss under the dough. Wrap it up around the score mark, and then pull the two sides tightly in opposite directions to pull the floss through the roll.
  • Carefully arrange the rolls in the prepared pan, making four rows of three cinnamon rolls. Tightly cover the pan with plastic wrap and set aside to rise for about 30 minutes, or until the rolls have puffed up and are crowding the pan.
  • 30 minutes before you plan on baking, preheat the oven to 350 degrees (F).
  • Remove the plastic wrap and bake in the preheated oven for 28 to 30 minutes, or until puffed up, golden brown, and cooked through in the center.
  • Remove the rolls from the oven and set aside to slightly cool as you make your frosting.

For the White Chocolate Frosting

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl using a handheld electric mixer, beat the butter on medium-speed until completely smooth.
  • Reduce the speed to low and gradually add in the confectioners' sugar, beating until all of the sugar is completely combined.
  • Add in the salt and lemon juice and beat smooth.
  • Add in the melted white chocolate and beat smooth. Once all of the ingredients have been incorporated, increase the speed to medium-high and beat for a minute.
  • Spread the frosting over the warm rolls. Top with fresh raspberries and serve!

Notes

Use a high-quality white chocolate bar, such as Lindt or Ghiradelli. White chocolate chips do not melt well and can make the frosting gritty.

Nutrition

Serving: 1rollCalories: 210kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 3gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 180mgPotassium: 100mgFiber: 1gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 1mg
Keyword baking, Breakfast, cinnamon rolls, dessert, Lemon Raspberry Cinnamon Rolls, white chocolate frosting
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