RASPBERRY SWEET ROLLS

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Ingredients

For the filling:

• Zest of 1 large lemon

For the frosting:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

For the filling:

• 1/2 cup softened butter
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 3 1/2 cups frozen raspberries
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar

For the dough:

• 1 tablespoon salt

For the filling:

• 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch

For the dough:

• 2 packages yeast (4 1/2 teaspoons), dissolved in 1 cup lukewarm water
• 6 tablespoons shortening (Crisco)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 9 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 cups hot water
• 2 eggs, beaten

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Instructions

1. While the rolls are cooling, make the frosting. In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and lemon zest. Using electric mixer, beat until smooth. Spread frosting on rolls and serve.
2. Place rolls in a warm spot and cover with a towel. Let rolls rise until double in bulk, about an hour. Bake rolls at 425 degrees F for 10 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees F and bake for 5-7 more minutes or until golden brown. Remove pans from oven and let cool on a wire rack.
3. Now follow the exact same steps with the other half of the dough, using the remaining ingredients.
4. Gently roll up dough into one long roll. Cut rolls, using a piece of dental floss or thread, about two inches thick. Place rolls into a greased 9X13 baking pan.
5. Remove dough from bowl and place on a lightly floured counter. Divide dough in half. With a rolling pin, roll one half of the dough into a rectangular shape. Spread dough evenly with 4 tablespoons of softened butter. Sprinkle dough with 1/4 cup brown sugar. In a medium bowl, carefully stir together the frozen raspberries, granulated sugar, lemon zest, and cornstarch. Sprinkle half of the raspberry mixture over the dough.
6. Put the dough in a greased bowl and cover with a towel. Let rise for 30 minutes or until dough doubles in size.
7. Gradually stir in the remaining flour and mix with the dough hook for about 2 minutes. Remove dough from the bowl and place on a lightly floured counter. Knead by hand, add a little flour if the dough is still sticky. Knead until dough feels satiny and smooth.
8. In the bowl of a stand mixer, add shortening, sugar, and salt to hot water and beat for 30 seconds. Let cool to lukewarm temperature. Stir in 2 cups of flour and mix until smooth. Add yeast mixture and mix until well combined. Mix in the beaten eggs.
9. Add yeast to 1 cup of lukewarm water. Stir with a spoon and set aside for about five minutes.

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Notes