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I went through a pile of test runs to nail down vegan cinnamon buns, but this raspberry lemon twist totally won me over. Sharp, juicy berries balance out the richness. Lemon just brings a cheery, light finish that makes them a hit every single time.
I put these out at brunch just last weekend, and honestly, no one guessed they were dairy-free. The secret magic? Bread flour plus instant yeast gets you the softest, bouncy layers.
Outstanding Ingredients:
- Choose bread flour (it matters)
- Instant (rapid rise) yeast for that lift
- Miyoko’s (or any vegan) butter, softened
- Fresh or frozen raspberries
- Use real lemons for best flavor
- Chia for an easy fresh jam
- Plant-based cream cheese
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How to Get Amazing Dough:
1. Keeping Dough Warm
* Milk goes to about 110°F, just warm
* Let the yeast bubble for about 10 to 12 minutes
* Use your butter at room temperature
2. Mix Like a Pro
* Stir milk, yeast, sugar together
* Drop in butter and salt
* Shake in flour slowly, cup by cup
* Once dough pulls away, switch to hook
* Knead for 4 or 5 minutes, stop as soon as smooth
3. Get That Rise
* Coat a bowl in oil
* Cover with a damp cloth
* Wait about an hour—it’ll double
* Roll up, then let rest another 20 minutes
Raspberry Jam Made Easy:
* Toss berries with chia into a pot
* Smash ’em up as they cook
* Simmer low for five minutes
* Let it chill out for five more, then it sets up
How to Roll & Fill:
Roll Out Your Dough
* Dust your counter with plenty of flour
* Shape to a 15 by 9 inch slab
* Push evenly but gently
* Keep those lines clean
* You’re aiming for about a quarter inch thick
Stuffing Order:
- 1.
- Spread vegan butter all over
- 2.
- Top with your cinnamon-sugar blend
- 3.
- Layer in the cooled raspberry jam
- 4.
- Don’t spread to the last half inch of the edge
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Tips for Rolling It Up
* Roll from the long edge towards you
* Keep it firm, don’t press too hard
* Use a dab of water to seal
* Lay it seam side down
* If dough feels too soft, pop in the fridge for 10 minutes
How to Cut Neat Swirls
* Dental floss (not flavored!) works best
* Mark 1 1/2 inch cuts
* Slip floss under, then cross and pull tight
* Every piece comes out clean
Lemon Cheese Frosting That Pops
Light & Fluffy Finish
* Soften vegan cream cheese first
* Your butter should be soft, too
* Zest and juice from fresh lemons
* Whip it till it’s light and fluffy
* Add powdered sugar slowly until just right
Tips For Baking
* Heat your oven up to 350°F, make sure it’s ready
* Check after 20 minutes
* Tent with foil if browning goes too fast
* Look for golden—not dark—tops
* Wait 15 minutes out of the oven for best frosting
How to Layer Everything
- 1.
- Let your rolls cool just a bit
- 2.
- Spread half the frosting while they’re still warm
- 3.
- Smear the rest after they’ve cooled down
- 4.
- Grate on extra lemon zest
- 5.
- Dive in while they’re fresh!
Best Ways to Store
* Tastes best on day one
* Leave out up to 2 days
* Zap 15 seconds to refresh
* Only freeze before you add frosting
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Solving Common Problems
Dough Trouble
* For stickiness, throw in an extra tablespoon flour at a time
* Flat dough? Warm up your milk or check if yeast’s still good
* If dough turns rubbery, ease up on kneading
* To keep rolls the same size, measure pieces as you slice
Jam Fixes
* Runny jam? Chia seeds to the rescue
* Too thick? Pour in a splash of water
* Too tart? Go heavier with maple syrup
* If it’s not gelling, let it simmer a bit longer
Switch It Up
* Try blackberry-lemon instead
* Mix berries for a swirly effect
* Go orange with cranberry
* Blueberry-lime is super good too
Plan Ahead Like a Champ
* Make your dough the night before
* Let it rise in the fridge till morning
* Cook up jam up to three days out
* Whip frosting a couple days beforehand
Best Tips From The Pros
* Mark where to slice before cutting
* Don’t let filling spill over the sides
* Only frost when cool so it doesn’t melt
* Scoop some extra jam on the plate
* If doubling this, bake longer so it all cooks through
You can totally fudge these a little—just watch your dough temp and give them time to rise. You’ll get the awesome texture, even if a detail or two is off.