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Soft and fluffy cinnamon rolls loaded with sweet raspberries and smothered in mascarpone icing!

Raspberry Cinnamon Rolls

Soft and fluffy cinnamon rolls loaded with sweet raspberries and smothered in mascarpone icing!
Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 25 minutes
Rising Time 3 hours
Total Time 5 hours 25 minutes
Course Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 Rolls

Ingredients
  

Dough:

  • 2 ¼ teaspoon active dry yeast (one 1/4-ounce packet)
  • ¼ cup warm water*
  • cup + 1 teaspoon granulated sugar divided
  • cup mashed sweet potato
  • ¼ cup greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup milk
  • cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 3-3¼ cups all-purpose flour

Filling:

  • 4 Tablespoons salted butter softened
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 cups frozen raspberries (don't thaw them)
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch

Mascarpone Icing:

  • 6 ounces mascarpone cheese at room temperature**
  • 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature**
  • 1 Tablespoon corn syrup
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon almond extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 ½ cup powdered sugar

Instructions
 

Make the Dough:

  • In a glass measuring cup, combine the yeast, water, and 1 teaspoon of sugar; set aside to foam for about 5 minutes. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the mashed sweet potato, 1/3 cup of sugar, greek yogurt, milk, melted butter, egg, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
  • Switch to the dough hook, and add the yeast mixture and 3 cups of the flour. Mix the dough on low and allow it to knead for about 6-7 minutes. If dough is still too soft, add more flour, 1 Tablespoon at a time, until dough just cleans the bowl, but is very soft. It should still stick to the bottom of the bowl.
  • Coat a large bowl with cooking spray and place dough in bowl. Seal tightly with plastic wrap. Place bowl in a warm place and allow dough to rise until doubled in size, about 2 hours.
  • After dough has doubled in size, punch it down. Turn dough out onto a floured Silpat or floured countertop. With a rolling pin, roll it out to an 17x12-inch rectangle.
  • With a butterknife (or your fingers), spread butter evenly over the entire surface of the dough. Sprinkle the brown sugar over it, followed by the cinnamon.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine the raspberries, granulated sugar, and cornstarch. Sprinkle raspberry mixture evenly over the dough. Lightly pat it down with your fingertips to help the sugar and raspberries adhere to the dough. Roll dough tightly into a log (from long side to long side), ending with the seam side down. Pinch the ends to seal.
  • Using plain, unwaxed dental floss (or a sharp knife), slice the rolls into 12 evenly-sized rolls. Arrange the rolls cut-side down in the baking dish. Cover tightly with plastic wrap--make sure to coat plastic wrap with cooking spray so that it doesn't stick to the rolls as they rise.

*If baking immediately

  • Allow the rolls to rise again in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

*Or...If You Want to Bake the Rolls the Next Day

  • Place covered rolls in the refrigerator for up to 16 hours. Before baking, let the rolls sit at room temperature until they have nearly doubled in size, about 45-60 minutes.

Baking:

  • For either version, bake at 350ºF for 23-25 minutes, or until golden. While rolls bake, prepare the icing.

Make the Icing:

  • In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the mascarpone cheese and butter together on medium speed for about 1 minute. Add the corn syrup, lemon juice, extracts, salt, and powdered sugar and beat for 2 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl, and beat for 1 more minute until light and fluffy.
  • Once rolls have baked, remove from the oven and immediately spread the icing over the warm rolls, allowing the icing to melt into every crevice moistening the rolls even more! Serve immediately.
  • Rolls are best eaten fresh, but will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Reheat leftover rolls for 15-20 seconds in the microwave before serving.

Notes

*Different brands require different water temperatures for the yeast to react with. Make sure to use a food thermometer to get the correct temperature. You don't want the water too hot, or it will kill the yeast; too cold, and the yeast won't react. Mine had to be anywhere between 100ºF-110ºF.
**It's crucial that your butter and mascarpone cheese are BOTH room temperature to prevent them from curdling and separating. If you do come across this issue, no need to panic! Simply remove a couple of tablespoons of the curdled mixture and place it into a small microwaveable bowl. Heat it in the microwave until it's completely melted, then add it back into the mixing bowl. Turn the mixer on, and beat everything until it's smooth. If it still looks curdled, just keep repeating this reheating technique a tablespoon at a time until the mixture comes together. Trust me, it eventually will!