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Sweetheart Berry Swirls

Delightful vegan berry swirls with a beautiful pink dough and creamy frosting, perfect for Valentine's Day. Ideal for a festive breakfast or dessert!
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Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Rise & Cool Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Total Time 3 hours
Servings 9 rolls
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • Small Saucepan
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Rolling Pin
  • Baking dish (11x9 inch)
  • Electric mixer or whisk

Ingredients
  

For the Pink Dough

  • 1/2 cup dairy-free block butter melted (115g)
  • 1 2/3 cups dairy-free milk room temperature (almond, soy, oat, or cashew) (400ml)
  • 1/4 cup caster sugar superfine granulated sugar (50g)
  • 1 packet active dry yeast (7g)
  • 4 cups plain all-purpose flour plus extra for dusting (480g)
  • vegan pink food gel a few drops (or beetroot powder for natural color)

For the Berry Filling

  • 3.5 oz fresh or frozen raspberries (100g)
  • 1/4 cup caster sugar (50g)
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup strawberry or raspberry jam (130g)
  • 1/4 cup fresh strawberries finely chopped (50g)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 1/4 cup dairy-free block butter softened (60g)
  • 1.5 oz dairy-free cream cheese softened (40g)
  • 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar sifted (icing sugar) (150g)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • dairy-free milk a splash (if needed for consistency)

For Decoration (Optional)

  • 2 tablespoons freeze-dried strawberries or raspberries crushed
  • Fresh strawberry slices

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the Dough:
  • 1. Warmly Combine: Gently melt the dairy-free butter in a small saucepan. Pour the warm melted butter into a mixing bowl, then add the room temperature dairy-free milk, sugar, and active dry yeast. Whisk everything together lightly.
  • 2. Activate the Yeast: Cover the bowl with a clean tea towel and place it in a cozy, warm spot for about 10 minutes. You'll know the yeast is active when the mixture becomes frothy and smells distinctively yeasty. Avoid putting it in an oven to prevent killing the yeast.
  • 3. Form the Dough: Sift the plain flour into a separate large mixing bowl. Pour in the activated yeast mixture and add a small drop of pink food gel (or a pinch of beetroot powder for natural color).
  • 4. Knead to Perfection: Knead the ingredients until a smooth, elastic dough forms. It should bounce back gently when pressed and feel less sticky. You can do this by hand on a lightly floured surface or using a stand mixer with a dough hook. Be careful not to over-knead, as this can make your rolls tough. Add a tiny bit more flour, if necessary, to achieve the right smooth, bouncy texture.
  • 5. First Rise: Shape the dough into a smooth ball. Lightly grease a clean bowl with a neutral oil (like sunflower oil) and place the dough inside. Cover with a tea towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 2 hours, or until it has delightfully doubled in size.
  • Craft the Berry Filling:
  • 1. Simmer the Berries: In a medium saucepan, combine the fresh or frozen raspberries, caster sugar, water, cornstarch, and strawberry/raspberry jam.
  • 2. Thicken It Up: Place the saucepan over low heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring continuously for 5-8 minutes. It will start to thicken beautifully. Once it reaches a thick, jam-like consistency, remove it from the heat.
  • 3. Cool Down: Allow the compote to cool completely before using. It will continue to thicken and become perfectly jelly-like as it cools. Store it in a sealed container in the fridge if making ahead; stir to loosen if it becomes too firm.
  • Assemble Your Sweetheart Rolls:
  • 1. Prepare Your Dish: Once your dough has doubled in size, lightly grease an 11 x 9 inch square or round baking dish with oil and set it aside.
  • 2. Roll Out the Dough: Turn the risen dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Using a floured rolling pin, gently roll the dough into a large rectangle, approximately 16” x 24”. Rolling it thinner will give you more charming swirls.
  • 3. Spread the Love: Using a spatula or spoon, spread the cooled berry jam mixture evenly over the entire dough rectangle, leaving about a 1-inch border around the edges. If desired, sprinkle the finely chopped fresh strawberries over the filling.
  • 4. Roll It Tight: Starting from one of the long edges, carefully and snugly roll the dough into a long log. Pinch the seam tightly to secure it, preventing any filling from escaping. Don't worry if it gets a little messy – that's part of the charm!
  • 5. Slice with Care: For perfectly neat rolls, use unflavored dental floss or cotton thread to slice the log. Slide the floss under the log, cross the ends over the top, and pull to cut. This recipe typically yields 9-10 rolls, depending on your desired size.
  • 6. Second Rise: Arrange the cut rolls into your greased baking dish, leaving a small space between them, as they will expand. Cover the dish with a tea towel and let them rise in a warm spot for another 40 minutes to 1 hour, until they look wonderfully puffed up and fluffy.
  • 7. Bake to Golden: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) fan-assisted. Lightly brush the edges of the risen rolls with a little dairy-free milk. Bake in the middle of the oven for 25-30 minutes, until they are golden brown and beautifully risen. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean when they're done.
  • 8. Cool Before Frosting: Remove the rolls from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the dish. This step is crucial to prevent your frosting from melting!
  • Whip Up the Creamy Frosting:
  • 1. Cream It Up: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened dairy-free butter and cream cheese. Whisk them together until you achieve a light and creamy consistency. An electric mixer or stand mixer works best, but a hand whisk can also do the job.
  • 2. Sweeten and Flavor: Add the sifted powdered sugar and vanilla extract to the bowl. Whisk until smooth and lump-free.
  • 3. Adjust Consistency: If the frosting is too runny, gently add more softened dairy-free butter in small chunks. If it's too thick, add a tiny splash of dairy-free milk until it reaches your desired creamy spreadable consistency.
  • 4. Frost and Decorate: Once the rolls are fully cooled, generously spread the creamy frosting over them. For a beautiful finish, sprinkle with crushed freeze-dried berries and garnish with fresh strawberry slices, if you like.

Notes

This recipe typically yields 9-10 rolls, depending on your desired size.
ValentinesDayTreats VeganLoveBakes PinkCinnamonRolls HeartfeltDessert
Nutrition Information per serving:
  • Calories: 350
  • Total Carbs: 60g
  • Net Carbs: 55g
  • Fats: 15g
  • Protein: 5g
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