If you are looking for a delightful treat that combines the fresh, tangy burst of berries with the comforting, tender embrace of sweet rolls, then you have to try this Blackberry Sweet Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe. These rolls are the perfect balance of fluffy dough and luscious blackberry filling, all topped with a creamy, dreamy glaze that will have you coming back for more. Whether it’s a cozy weekend breakfast or a fancy brunch for friends, this recipe delivers warmth, sweetness, and just the right amount of tartness in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Blackberry Sweet Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe is simple yet essential, playing a unique role in creating the perfect texture, flavor, and visual appeal of the rolls. From the soft dough to the vibrant berry filling and silky glaze, these components come together beautifully.
- All-purpose flour (3 cups): The foundation of your dough, providing structure and softness.
- Granulated sugar (1/4 cup + 1/4 cup): Adds sweetness both in the dough and in the blackberry filling to balance tartness.
- Active dry yeast (1 packet): Essential for that fluffy, risen dough that melts in your mouth.
- Salt (1/2 tsp): Enhances flavor by bringing all the components into harmony.
- Whole milk (1/2 cup): Adds moisture and richness for tender rolls.
- Unsalted butter, melted and softened (1/4 cup + 2 tbsp): Offers a lovely buttery flavor and helps with dough texture and glaze creaminess.
- Water (1/4 cup): Activates the yeast and balances dough consistency.
- Large egg (1): Binds the dough and gives it a slight richness.
- Fresh or frozen blackberries (2 cups): The star of the show, bursting with juicy fruity flavor.
- Cornstarch (1 tbsp): Thickens the blackberry filling to prevent soggy rolls.
- Lemon juice (1 tbsp): Adds brightness and enhances the berries’ natural flavor.
- Ground cinnamon (1/2 tsp): Adds a warm spice note complementing the berries beautifully.
- Cream cheese (4 oz, softened): Creates the luscious glaze that adds richness and tang.
- Powdered sugar (1 cup): Sweetens the glaze for that perfect finishing touch.
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Brings depth to the cream cheese glaze’s flavor.
- Milk (1–2 tbsp, optional): Used to adjust the glaze consistency to your liking.
How to Make Blackberry Sweet Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the dough
Start by combining 2 cups of the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in a large bowl to create a dry mix that’s ready to be activated by warm liquids. Heat the milk, melted butter, and water until about 110°F – warm enough to awaken the yeast without killing it. Mix the warm milk mixture and egg into the flour mix until combined. Then, gradually add the rest of the flour, kneading until the dough is smooth and elastic. Cover this dough and let it rise in a cozy spot for about one hour until the size doubles – this is where the magic of airiness begins.
Step 2: Cook the blackberry filling
While the dough rises, combine the blackberries, sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and cornstarch in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the berries break down and the mixture thickens, about 5 to 7 minutes. This step transforms fresh, juicy blackberries into a luscious filling that holds together inside the rolls without leaking or making them soggy. Once thickened, remove from heat and let it cool a bit to make spreading easier.
Step 3: Roll out the dough
After the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release air. Transfer it onto a floured surface and roll it into a 12 by 18-inch rectangle. This size makes it easy to spread your blackberry filling evenly and roll the dough into perfect sweet rolls.
Step 4: Add the filling and form the rolls
Spread the cooled blackberry mixture evenly across the entire dough rectangle. Carefully roll the dough tightly from the long side, creating a rolled log packed with delicious fruit. Use a sharp knife to slice this log into 12 equally sized pieces – this ensures each roll has a perfect amount of filling and dough.
Step 5: Second rise and baking
Arrange the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spacing them slightly for rising. Cover and let the rolls rise again for about 30 minutes; this extra rise ensures they bake up light and fluffy. Then preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls for 25 to 30 minutes, or until beautifully golden brown, signaling they’re ready for their sweet finale.
Step 6: Whip up the cream cheese glaze
While the rolls bake, blend the softened cream cheese, softened butter, and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Stir in vanilla extract, then thin the glaze with milk tablespoon by tablespoon until you reach the desired thickness – spreadable but not runny. This glaze is the crowning glory that adds a velvety richness to the fruity rolls.
Step 7: Glaze and enjoy!
When the rolls have cooled slightly, spread the cream cheese glaze generously over the warm rolls. The glaze will soften and seep into the rolls slightly, enhancing every warm bite with creamy sweetness and a touch of tang.
How to Serve Blackberry Sweet Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe
Garnishes
If you want to elevate the presentation, a light sprinkle of powdered sugar or a few fresh blackberries on top of the glaze adds a lovely visual contrast and extra hint of freshness. A sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans or walnuts adds delightful crunch and richness that pairs beautifully with the berries.
Side Dishes
These sweet rolls are fantastic alongside a cup of hot coffee or tea for breakfast or brunch. For a more substantial spread, serve them with fresh fruit salad or a simple green salad dressed lightly with lemon vinaigrette to balance the richness of the rolls.
Creative Ways to Present
Fancy impressing guests? Arrange the rolls on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of whipped cream or lemon curd for dipping. Another option is to serve the rolls warm in individual ramekins, drizzled with glaze just before serving to maintain the gooey finish.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover blackberry sweet rolls, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This helps keep the rolls soft and the cream cheese glaze fresh without drying out the dough or the filling.
Freezing
These rolls freeze beautifully. Wrap each roll or the entire batch tightly with plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. When you want to enjoy them, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm slightly in the oven before glazing.
Reheating
To bring the rolls back to life, warm them gently in a 300°F oven for 10–15 minutes, or microwave a single roll for 20–30 seconds. If desired, add a little extra cream cheese glaze after reheating for that freshly glazed feel.
FAQs
Can I use frozen blackberries for this recipe?
Absolutely! Frozen blackberries work great. Just be sure to thaw and drain any excess liquid before cooking to avoid making the filling too watery.
How do I know when the dough has risen enough?
The dough is ready when it has roughly doubled in size and springs back slowly when poked gently with your finger.
Can I substitute cream cheese in the glaze?
You can swap cream cheese for mascarpone or even Greek yogurt for a different but still delicious glaze, though cream cheese provides the classic tangy richness.
What if my rolls come out doughy inside?
This usually means they need a little longer baking time or were sliced too thickly. Make sure your oven is fully preheated, and slice evenly for best results.
Can I add other fruits instead of blackberries?
Definitely! Blueberries, raspberries, or chopped peaches can be used depending on your preference — just adjust cooking times if the fruit is particularly juicy.
Final Thoughts
This Blackberry Sweet Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe is one of those heartwarming dishes that feels like a hug on a plate. From the fragrant dough to the vibrant berry filling and luscious glaze, every step is worth it for the delicious result. I encourage you to bake a batch, share them with loved ones, and enjoy the joyous smiles that come with this wonderful recipe. Trust me, these rolls will become a treasured favorite on your brunch table or anytime you crave something special and sweet.
Print
Blackberry Sweet Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 12 rolls
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Blackberry Sweet Rolls combine a soft, fluffy dough with a luscious homemade blackberry filling and a creamy cream cheese glaze. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, these rolls are filled with fresh or frozen blackberries cooked to a thick, jammy consistency, then baked to golden perfection and topped with a smooth, sweet glaze.
Ingredients
Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 large egg
Blackberry Filling
- 2 cups fresh or frozen blackberries
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Cream Cheese Glaze
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1–2 tbsp milk (optional for thinning)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Heat the milk, melted butter, and water until warm (about 110°F). Add the warm liquid and egg to the flour mixture, mixing until combined. Gradually add the remaining flour, mixing until the dough is smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Make the Blackberry Filling: In a medium saucepan, combine the blackberries, sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and cornstarch. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens and the blackberries break down, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Roll Out the Dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out onto a floured surface. Roll the dough into a 12×18-inch rectangle to prepare for filling.
- Fill and Roll the Dough: Spread the blackberry filling evenly over the dough. Roll the dough up tightly from the long side, then slice it into 12 equal pieces to form rolls.
- Second Rise and Bake: Place the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise for an additional 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown on top.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Glaze: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar together until smooth. Add the vanilla extract and milk as needed to reach your desired glaze consistency.
- Glaze and Serve: Once the blackberry rolls have cooled slightly, spread the cream cheese glaze evenly over the tops of the rolls.
- Enjoy: Serve these fruity, sweet blackberry rolls warm or at room temperature, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen blackberries; if using frozen, thaw slightly before cooking.
- Make sure the milk mixture for the dough is warm, not hot, to activate the yeast properly.
- Allow the dough enough time to rise for best texture – it should double in size during the first rise.
- The cream cheese glaze can be thinned with milk to your desired consistency for easier spreading.
- Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Reheat rolls slightly before serving for the best flavor and texture.
