
Introduction
A Fruity, Cozy Twist on a Classic Craving
Craving something sweet, soft, and gooey that’s not your average cinnamon roll? These Raspberry Cinnamon Rolls are the ultimate upgrade—bursting with juicy berries, warm cinnamon, and topped with a silky cream cheese glaze. Whether you’re baking for brunch, a holiday, or a cozy weekend treat, this recipe is everything you love about classic cinnamon rolls, with a fruity, tangy surprise.
The best part? You don’t need to be a pro baker to make them. These rolls are beginner-friendly, irresistibly delicious, and absolutely worth the minimal effort. 🍓

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✅ Bursting with flavor – Sweet raspberries and cinnamon are a match made in heaven
✅ Beginner-friendly – Perfect for first-time bakers
✅ Great for make-ahead – Prep the night before, bake in the morning
✅ Customizable – Add nuts, switch fruits, or swap the glaze
✅ Perfect for brunch or holidays – Impress without the stress
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Dough:
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 ¼ teaspoon active dry yeast (1 packet)
- ¾ cup warm milk (about 110°F)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon salt
Substitution tip: Use dairy-free butter and plant-based milk to make it vegan-friendly.
For the Raspberry Filling:
- 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen raspberries
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Pro tip: Thaw and drain frozen raspberries to prevent soggy rolls.
For the Cream Cheese Glaze:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoon milk or cream (adjust for thickness)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Want a tangier glaze? Add a squeeze of lemon juice!
Step-by-Step Instructions

- Activate the yeast
In a bowl, mix warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon sugar. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy. - Make the dough
In a large bowl, combine flour, remaining sugar, salt, melted butter, egg, and yeast mixture. Knead by hand or mixer for 5–7 minutes until smooth. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour (until doubled). - Prepare the raspberry filling
In a saucepan, combine raspberries, sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and cornstarch. Cook on medium heat for 5–7 minutes until thickened. Cool completely. - Roll and fill
Roll dough into a 16x12-inch rectangle. Spread the raspberry mixture evenly over the dough. - Roll and slice
Roll tightly from the long side, then slice into 12 even rolls. Place in a greased 9x13-inch pan. - Second rise
Cover and let rise for another 30 minutes, or refrigerate overnight. - Bake
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden and cooked through. - Glaze
Beat together glaze ingredients until smooth. Spread over warm rolls and serve.
Recipe Notes & Tips
Storage:
- Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temp for 2 days or refrigerate for 4–5 days.
Reheating:
- Warm in the microwave for 15–20 seconds or in the oven at 300°F for 5–7 minutes.
Variations:
- Add white chocolate chips to the filling
- Swap raspberries for blueberries or strawberries
- Add chopped nuts like pecans or almonds for crunch
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

| Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|
| 450 | 7g | 58g | 20g |
Values are estimates and may vary by ingredients used.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
❓ Can I make these ahead of time?
✅ Yes! Prep the rolls the night before and refrigerate. Bake fresh in the morning.
❓ Can I use frozen raspberries?
✅ Absolutely—just thaw and drain well to avoid extra moisture.
❓ Can I make this dairy-free?
✅ Swap dairy for plant-based milk, vegan butter, and dairy-free cream cheese.
❓ Why is my dough not rising?
❌ Your yeast may be expired or your milk may have been too hot. Use a thermometer if needed.
❓ Can I freeze the rolls?
✅ Yes, freeze unbaked rolls after slicing. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as usual.
Conclusion

These Raspberry Cinnamon Rolls are soft, fluffy, and absolutely packed with sweet-tart berry flavor—perfect for brunches, holidays, or cozy mornings in. Whether you're a first-time baker or a seasoned pro, this recipe delivers a show-stopping result every time.
👉 Try it today and tag us @SimpleRecipes on Pinterest!
Print
Raspberry Cinnamon Rolls
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes (including rising times)
- Yield: 12 rolls 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These raspberry cinnamon rolls combine the warmth of cinnamon with the sweetness of fresh raspberries, creating the perfect balance of flavors. Topped with a luscious cream cheese glaze, these soft, fluffy rolls are ideal for brunch, holiday mornings, or whenever you need a comforting treat. Best of all, they’re easy to make and sure to melt in your mouth with every bite!
Ingredients
For the Dough:
-
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
-
¼ cup granulated sugar
-
2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
-
¾ cup warm milk (about 110°F)
-
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
-
1 large egg
-
½ tsp salt
For the Raspberry Filling:
-
1 ½ cups fresh or frozen raspberries
-
⅓ cup granulated sugar
-
2 tbsp cornstarch
-
1 tsp cinnamon
-
1 tbsp lemon juice
For the Cream Cheese Glaze:
-
4 oz cream cheese, softened
-
1 cup powdered sugar
-
1–2 tablespoon milk or cream (adjust for desired thickness)
-
½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
-
Activate the yeast
In a bowl, mix warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon sugar. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy. -
Make the dough
In a large bowl, combine flour, remaining sugar, salt, melted butter, egg, and the yeast mixture. Knead by hand or with a mixer for 5–7 minutes until smooth. Cover and let rise for 1 hour in a warm place until doubled in size. -
Prepare the raspberry filling
In a saucepan, combine raspberries, sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and cornstarch. Cook over medium heat for 5–7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens. Allow to cool completely. -
Roll out the dough
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a 16x12-inch rectangle. -
Fill the dough
Spread the cooled raspberry mixture evenly over the rolled dough. -
Roll and slice
Starting from the long edge, roll the dough into a tight log. Slice it into 12 even pieces and place them in a greased 9x13-inch baking pan. -
Second rise
Cover the pan with a clean towel and let the rolls rise for another 30 minutes, or refrigerate overnight and bake the next morning. -
Bake the rolls
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden and cooked through. -
Prepare the glaze
While the rolls are baking, beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth. -
Glaze the rolls
Once the rolls are out of the oven, let them cool slightly before drizzling the glaze over the top. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
-
Storage: Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate for up to 4–5 days.
-
Reheating: Warm up in the microwave for 15–20 seconds or bake in the oven at 300°F for 5–7 minutes.
-
Make Ahead: You can prep the rolls the night before, refrigerate overnight, and bake them fresh in the morning.
-
Substitutions: For a dairy-free version, use plant-based milk and butter, and replace the cream cheese with a dairy-free alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Roll (out of 12)
- Calories: 450kcal
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: raspberry cinnamon rolls, soft cinnamon rolls, cream cheese glaze, breakfast rolls, sweet rolls




