Raspberry Swirl Roll Recipe

The first time I made this raspberry swirl roll, I couldn’t stop staring at how pretty it looked. The bright red swirls inside the soft cake made it feel special. And the smell—sweet, fruity, and cozy—filled the whole kitchen.

I love how light and fluffy the cake turns out, with that sweet raspberry jam rolled right in. Each slice looks like a little piece of art. It’s simple to make but feels fancy enough for any occasion.

Sometimes I add a bit of cream or powdered sugar on top to make it extra nice. It’s soft, sweet, and just the right amount of tart. Everyone always asks for another slice.

So grab your whisk and some raspberry jam. Let’s bake this beautiful swirl roll that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.

Why You’ll Love This Raspberry Swirl Roll Recipe

• Perfectly Sweet and Tangy: The combination of fresh raspberries and lemon zest creates a tart-yet-sweet flavor profile that will have your taste buds dancing.
• Soft and Fluffy Dough: The dough is light, buttery, and pillowy, providing the perfect base for the fruity swirl filling.
• Easy to Make: With a few simple steps, you’ll have a batch of gorgeous raspberry rolls in no time.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: These rolls can be prepped the night before and baked fresh in the morning, making them perfect for weekend brunches or any special occasion.
• Customizable: You can play with the filling by adding extra flavors like cinnamon, or try different jams to make them your own.

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

Before we dive into the ingredients, make sure you have the following kitchen tools on hand to make your baking experience seamless:

• Mixing Bowls: You’ll need a few bowls to prepare your dough, filling, and glaze.
• Electric Mixer or Stand Mixer: While you can mix by hand, an electric mixer will make the process faster and easier, especially when you’re working with dough.
• Rolling Pin: A good rolling pin helps roll the dough out evenly.
• Baking Sheet: Use a rimmed baking sheet to arrange your rolls.
• Parchment Paper: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to make cleanup easier and prevent the rolls from sticking.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements ensure that your dough and filling turn out just right.
• Pastry Brush: To brush the rolls with heavy cream before baking for a beautiful golden color.
• Cooling Rack: For cooling your rolls after they’re out of the oven.

Ingredients

Now, let’s talk about the ingredients that will come together to make this dreamy raspberry roll recipe:

Dough Ingredients:

• Whole Milk (1/2 cup): Provides a rich, tender texture to the dough and helps activate the yeast.
• Active Dry Yeast (1 1/4 oz package): The key ingredient for the dough’s rise. Make sure it’s fresh to get a nice fluffy texture.
• Granulated Sugar (2 Tbsp): Sugar not only sweetens the dough but also feeds the yeast to help it rise.
• All-Purpose Flour (3 cups): The base of the dough, giving it structure and elasticity.
• Unsalted Butter (4 Tbsp, melted): Butter adds richness and helps make the dough soft and tender.
• Kosher Salt (1 tsp): Balances the sweetness of the dough and enhances all the flavors.
• Oil (for pan): A small amount of oil is used to grease the bowl and the baking pan to prevent the dough from sticking.

Raspberry Filling Ingredients:

• Raspberry Jam (1/3 cup): The star of the filling. It gives the rolls their signature burst of raspberry flavor.
• Lemon Zest (2 tsp): A touch of fresh lemon zest enhances the raspberry jam, adding brightness and a citrusy zing.
• Fresh Lemon Juice (2 Tbsp): Adds acidity and depth of flavor to balance the sweetness of the raspberry jam.
• Frozen Raspberries (2 cups, do not thaw): Fresh raspberries are lovely, but frozen raspberries create a more concentrated flavor without the risk of releasing too much moisture into the dough.

Glaze Ingredients:

• Heavy Cream (2 Tbsp, for brushing): Brushing the rolls with cream before baking gives them a beautiful golden color and a slight richness.
• Sour Cream (1/2 cup): Adds tanginess and richness to the glaze, creating a creamy finish.
• Confectioners’ Sugar (1/4 cup, sifted): The sugar will help thicken the glaze and add sweetness.
• Pure Vanilla Extract (1/2 tsp): Adds warmth and depth of flavor to the glaze.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, warm the milk in the microwave or on the stove until it’s just warm to the touch (about 100°F). Stir in the granulated sugar and sprinkle the yeast on top. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until it becomes foamy and bubbly. If the yeast doesn’t foam, it may be expired, so start with fresh yeast.
2. Mix the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the melted butter to the yeast mixture, then pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment or a hand mixer to combine the ingredients on low speed until a dough forms.
3. Knead the Dough: Once the dough starts coming together, knead it on a lightly floured surface for about 5–7 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. You can also do this in the mixer with a dough hook for the same amount of time.
4. Let the Dough Rise: Grease a clean bowl with a little oil, place the dough inside, and cover it with a damp towel or plastic wrap. Let the dough rise for 1 to 1.5 hours or until it has doubled in size.

Step 2: Prepare the Raspberry Filling

1. Make the Raspberry Jam Filling: In a bowl, combine the raspberry jam, lemon zest, and fresh lemon juice. Stir until well mixed. This mixture will be the base of the swirl that makes these rolls so irresistible.
2. Add the Frozen Raspberries: Gently fold the frozen raspberries into the jam mixture. You don’t need to thaw the raspberries beforehand; the frozen berries will create the perfect swirl in the dough.

Step 3: Roll Out the Dough

1. Punch Down the Dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Transfer it to a floured surface and roll it out into a large rectangle (about 14×9 inches).
2. Spread the Raspberry Filling: Use a spatula to spread the raspberry jam mixture evenly over the rolled-out dough, leaving a small border around the edges. The jam will form the swirl in the rolls.

Step 4: Roll and Slice the Dough

1. Roll the Dough: Starting from the longer side of the rectangle, carefully roll the dough up into a tight log. Make sure the filling stays inside as you roll.
2. Slice the Rolls: Once you’ve rolled the dough, use a sharp knife to cut it into 12 equal slices. Place each roll into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan, leaving a little space between each one to allow them to rise further.

Step 5: Let the Rolls Rise

1. Second Rise: Cover the pan with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let the rolls rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until they have puffed up and are touching each other.

Step 6: Bake the Raspberry Swirl Rolls

1. Brush with Cream: Before baking, brush the tops of the rolls with heavy cream using a pastry brush. This will help them turn golden brown and give them a glossy finish.
2. Bake the Rolls: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Keep an eye on them toward the end to ensure they don’t over-brown.

Step 7: Make the Glaze

1. Prepare the Glaze: While the rolls are baking, whisk together the sour cream, sifted powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a small bowl. Adjust the sweetness to your liking by adding more powdered sugar if needed.
2. Glaze the Rolls: Once the rolls are out of the oven, let them cool for about 10 minutes. Drizzle the glaze generously over the rolls, allowing it to seep into the swirls.

How to Serve Raspberry Swirl Rolls

These Raspberry Swirl Rolls are delicious served warm, and there are many ways to enjoy them:

• For Breakfast: Serve these rolls alongside a cup of coffee or a glass of fresh orange juice for a sweet start to your morning.
• As a Snack: Perfect with a cup of tea or milk, they make a great midday snack.
• For Dessert: These rolls are sweet enough to be served as a dessert after any meal. The glaze makes them extra indulgent!

Storing Raspberry Swirl Rolls

• Room Temperature: Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If they start to dry out, warm them in the microwave for a few seconds to soften them.
• Freezing: You can freeze unbaked rolls. After slicing the dough, place the individual rolls on a baking sheet to freeze. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, let them thaw and rise for about an hour before baking as instructed.
• Baked Rolls: If you have leftover baked rolls, store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can reheat them in the microwave or oven to refresh their softness.

Nutrition

Here’s a general breakdown of the nutrition per roll (based on 12 rolls):

Nutrient	Amount per serving (1 roll)
Calories	280
Protein	3g
Carbohydrates	38g
Fat	12g
Fiber	2g
Sugar	18g

Conclusion

These Raspberry Swirl Rolls are the perfect combination of soft, buttery dough, sweet raspberry filling, and tangy lemon zest. Whether you’re making them for a special breakfast or a cozy afternoon snack, they are sure to impress everyone who tries them. The best part? They’re easy to make, and you can customize them with your favorite jams or fruit fillings.

I hope you enjoy making (and eating!) these Raspberry Swirl Rolls as much as I do. Don’t forget to share this recipe with friends and family—everyone will love the burst of flavor in every bite! Happy baking!