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Whole Grain Lemon Raspberry Sourdough Sweet Rolls

These lemon raspberry sourdough sweet rolls are soft, fluffy, and packed with jammy berries and bright citrus flavor. Made with sourdough discard and 100% whole grain flour (freshly milled or store-bought), they’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy afternoon treat.
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baked and glazed Lemon Raspberry Sourdough Sweet Rolls in a white cast iron pan topped with white lemon glaze
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time:35 minutes
Cook Time:40 minutes
Overnight Bulk Rise:8 hours
Total Time:9 hours 15 minutes
Servings:12 Rolls
Calories:325kcal
Equipment
  • cast iron pan - (28-30 cm / 11-12 inches) or
  • deep baking pan - (23x33 cm / 9x13 inches) or
  • spring-form pan - (25 cm / 10 inch)
  • pastry blender - (optional)
  • rolling pin
  • sharp knife or unflavored dental floss - (for clean cuts)
Ingredients

Dough

  • 300 g whole grain flour (see Notes) - 2⅓ cups
  • tbsp raw cane sugar
  • ½ tsp fine salt
  • 115 g unsalted butter (cold and cubed) - ½ cup
  • 240 g buttermilk - 1 cup
  • 100 g sourdough starter discard - ⅓ cup (or ½ cup active, bubbly starter)
  • 1 tsp baking powder (add only after bulk ferment)
  • ½ tsp baking soda (add only after bulk ferment)

Filling

  • 285 g raspberries (fresh or frozen) - 1¾ cups
  • 65 g raw cane sugar - ⅓ cup
  • 1 tsp corn starch
  • zest of one lemon

Glaze

  • 60 g powdered sugar - ½ cup
  • 2 tsp lemon juice - or more for a thinner glaze
Instructions
  • In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the cold butter and, using a pastry blender, two knives, or your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of butter.
  • Add the buttermilk and sourdough starter. Gently mix with a spatula until the ingredients are well incorporated. Cover the bowl and let the dough rest on the counter overnight (or for your preferred fermentation time). DO NOT add the baking powder and soda at this point!

Assembly

  • Before rolling out the dough, preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F). Grease your cast-iron skillet or baking pan with butter. In a medium bowl, rub together sugar and lemon zest with your fingers until fragrant. Stir in the cornstarch. Add fresh berries on top, but don't stir until the dough is rolled out. Alternatively, keep frozen berries in the freezer while you roll out the dough.
  • Turn the dough out onto a clean work surface and gently flatten it into a thick rectangle. The dough will be soft and sticky. Sprinkle the baking powder and baking soda evenly over the top. Gently knead the dough to incorporate the leavening until it feels a little less sticky and more cohesive.
  • Generously flour your worktop, rolling pin and the top of the dough. Roll the dough into a rectangle. Try to keep the edges straight to ensure even rolls. Roll it as thin as you feel comfortable with, but not so thin that it tears.
  • Gently toss the berries with the lemon sugar to combine, being careful not to crush the berries if they’re fresh. Spread the filling evenly over the dough, leaving a strip along the top edge free of filling. Make sure it reaches all the way to the sides and is spread evenly across the dough.
  • Carefully roll the dough into a tight log, pinching the seam closed to seal it. Also, pinch the edges to prevent the filling from spilling out. At this stage, you can gently shape the log to make it more even, removing any thick or uneven areas.
  • Cut the log into 12 even sections. To do this, use a bench scraper or knife to visually divide the log into halves, then each half into quarters, and each quarter into three pieces. To cut evenly, use a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss for a clean cut.

Baking

  • Place the cut rolls into your prepared baking pan, spacing them apart to allow for expansion as they bake.
  • Bake sourdough rolls for 35–40 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown. If using frozen berries, the baking time may be slightly longer. Once baked, allow the rolls to cool to room temperature before glazing.

Glaze

  • For the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl until smooth and at your desired consistency. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled rolls in thin ribbons, then let it set before serving.
Notes
  • Whole grain or freshly milled soft wheat or spelt flour work great. For store-bought flour, choose whole wheat in Europe and white whole wheat in the U.S. Check out my tips for using all-purpose or bread flour in my Blueberry Lemon Sourdough Sweet Rolls recipe, if you want extra fluffy rolls.
  • Keep raspberries from getting too juicy by leaving frozen ones in the freezer until just before using, or—if using fresh—waiting to mix with the sugar until after the dough is rolled out.
  • This recipe can be made dairy-free/vegan. Use plant-based butter and buttermilk alternatives (check out my tips for homemade vegan buttermilk). They still bake up soft and fluffy.
  • Don’t skip the baking powder and soda — they boost rise and help the texture stay light and tender.
  • Using an active starter and fresh berries? You can do a second rise at room temp, but the berries may leak and make things sticky. Frozen berries will chill the dough too much for a second rise.
  • Lemon Raspberry Sourdough Sweet Rolls will keep for up to 3 days at room temperature, loosely covered. The glaze may soak in a bit over time, but they'll still taste delicious.
  • To freeze baked rolls: Skip the glaze. Place in a freezer-safe container or bag, separating each roll with parchment. Freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen at 175°C (350°F) until warmed through.
  • To freeze unbaked rolls: Shape and place in a parchment-lined metal or disposable pan (avoid glass/ceramic). Cover tightly and freeze up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen at 175°C (350°F) for 40–45 minutes, until golden.
Author: Sarah | Grains & Greens Kitchen
Calories: 325kcal
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it turned out!