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Blueberry Lemon Sourdough Sweet Rolls with Greek Yogurt

Pillowy sourdough sweet rolls filled with a thick blueberry lemon compote, layered over whipped butter and lemon sugar, and finished with a lemon cream cheese drizzle. 12 grams of protein per roll from real whole food ingredients.
Cook Time30 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine: American
Keyword: blueberry lemon sweet rolls, fruit sweet rolls, Greek yogurt rolls, high protein breakfast, high protein sourdough, lemon blueberry rolls, overnight sourdough rolls, sourdough breakfast, sourdough sweet rolls, spring brunch recipes
Servings: 12 rolls
Calories: 479kcal
Author: Noelle Reed

Equipment

  • - Stand mixer with dough hook your hands
  • 9 by 13 inch baking pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Medium saucepan
  • kitchen scale
  • Offset spatula
  • Unflavored dental floss a knife
  • Instant read thermometer
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer for glaze
  • Small bowl for cornstarch slurry
  • plastic wrap

Ingredients

For the Blueberry Lemon Compote (make first)

  • 315 grams frozen blueberries approximately 2 cups
  • 85 grams granulated sugar 6 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons
  • 15 grams fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon
  • 16 grams cornstarch 2 tablespoons
  • 1 gram fine salt small pinch

For the Dough

  • 560 grams bread flour 4 2/3 cups
  • 140 grams active peaked sourdough starter 2/3 cup
  • 265 grams nonfat plain skyr or Greek yogurt slightly warmed (1 cup + 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon)
  • 40 grams whole milk slightly warmed (2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons)
  • 75 grams unsalted butter softened (5 tablespoons)
  • 45 grams granulated sugar 3 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons
  • zest of 2 lemons
  • 9 grams fine salt 1 1/2 teaspoons
  • 4 grams baking powder 1 teaspoon
  • 2 large pasture raised eggs room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Whipped Butter Layer

  • 85 grams unsalted butter room temperature (6 tablespoons)

For the Lemon Cornstarch Sugar Layer

  • 60 grams granulated sugar 4 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons
  • zest of 2 lemons
  • 10 grams cornstarch 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon

For the Lemon Cream Cheese Glaze

  • 113 grams full fat cream cheese room temperature (4 oz)
  • 60 grams unsalted butter softened (4 tablespoons)
  • 120 grams powdered sugar sifted (1 cup)
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • 20 grams fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • pinch of fine salt
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons whole milk only if needed to thin

For the Higher Protein Greek Yogurt Glaze (variation)

  • 113 grams full fat cream cheese room temperature (4 oz)
  • 60 grams nonfat plain Greek yogurt room temperature (1/4 cup)
  • 120 grams powdered sugar sifted (1 cup)
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • 15 grams fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon
  • 5 grams vanilla extract 1 teaspoon
  • 1 gram fine sea salt small pinch
  • 15 grams heavy cream to consistency (1 tablespoons)

Instructions

Make the Blueberry Lemon Compote (needs 2 hours in the refrigerator before use)

  • Combine the frozen blueberries and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the berries break down completely and the mixture is bubbling and deep purple, about 8 minutes.
  • While the blueberries cook, whisk the cornstarch into the lemon juice in a small bowl until completely smooth with no dry streaks.
  • Once the compote is bubbling and the berries have fully broken down, slowly drizzle the slurry into the pot while whisking constantly. Cook for 2 more minutes until the compote thickens and a line drawn through it with a spoon holds for at least 3 seconds. Remove from heat, stir in the salt, and transfer to a bowl. Press plastic wrap directly against the surface. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until completely cold and firm, at least 2 hours.

Make the Dough

  • Warm the skyr or Greek yogurt and milk together in the microwave for 30 to 45 seconds until slightly warm but not hot. If the mixture is too hot it can affect your starter.
  • In the bowl of your stand mixer, whisk together the starter, warmed skyr or yogurt and milk mixture, vanilla extract, and eggs until smooth, then mix in the softened butter. In a separate bowl whisk together the bread flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and lemon zest.
  • Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until the dough just comes together and there are no dry bits remaining. Cover the bowl with a towel and let it rest for 15 to 30 minutes. This rest gives the Greek yogurt time to hydrate the flour fully before the final knead, which is important because yogurt hydrates flour differently than regular liquid.
  • After the rest, knead the dough with the dough hook on medium speed for 5 to 6 minutes until smooth and elastic. The dough will feel softer than a lean sourdough, which is correct for an enriched dough.
  • Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover. Bulk ferment at room temperature for 8 to 10 hours until the dough has increased noticeably in volume, looks domed, and feels airy and jiggly when you shake the bowl. Watch the dough rather than the clock.

Assemble and Bake

  • When the dough is finished proofing, whip the room temperature butter with a hand mixer until light and fluffy. Set aside.
  • Rub the lemon zest into the granulated sugar with your fingertips for about 60 seconds until it clumps and smells fragrant. Whisk in the cornstarch until evenly distributed. Set aside.
  • Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently roll into a 12 by 18 inch rectangle with the 12 inch edge parallel to your body. If the dough springs back, let it rest 5 minutes and try again.
  • Spread the whipped butter evenly across the entire surface all the way to the edges.
  • Sprinkle the lemon cornstarch sugar evenly over the butter and press lightly with your palm so it adheres.
  • Pull the cold compote from the refrigerator. Working quickly with an offset spatula, spread it in a thin even layer over the sugar, leaving a 1 inch border clean along the top edge.
  • Starting from the edge closest to you, roll the dough upward and away from you into a tight log, pulling back gently as you go to create tension. The log will be approximately 12 inches long.
  • Using unflavored dental floss, trim any uneven ends, then cut into 12 equal rolls at 1 inch each.
  • Arrange the rolls cut side up in a parchment lined 9 by 13 pan. Cover and proof at room temperature for 3 to 4 hours until puffed and passing the poke test. Press gently with one finger and the dough should spring back slowly. Under proofed rolls will force the filling out during baking.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake for 22 to 26 minutes until golden. The center of a middle roll should read 190 degrees Fahrenheit on an instant read thermometer.

Make the Glaze

  • While the rolls bake, beat the cream cheese and butter together until completely smooth. If your cream cheese was cold, microwave it on a microwave safe plate for 20 seconds first.
  • Add the lemon juice slowly, one teaspoon at a time, beating between each addition. Adding the lemon juice into the fat before anything else prevents the acid from curdling the cream cheese.
  • Once all the lemon juice is incorporated, add the powdered sugar, lemon zest, vanilla, and salt and beat until glossy and pourable. Add milk one tablespoon at a time only if the glaze needs thinning.
  • Drizzle over warm rolls so it runs into the swirls and lets the blueberry color show through. Serve immediately.

For the Greek yogurt glaze variation: 

  •  Beat the cream cheese and Greek yogurt together until completely smooth, about 2 minutes
  •  Add the lemon juice one teaspoon at a time, beating between each addition. 
  •  Once all lemon juice is incorporated, add the sifted powdered sugar, lemon zest, vanilla, and salt. Beat until glossy and pourable. 
  •  Add heavy cream one tablespoon at a time until the glaze reaches a drizzleable consistency. Drizzle immediately over warm rolls.

Notes

Storage
Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap or transfer rolls to an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 3 days. Do not refrigerate as cold temperatures will dry them out faster than leaving them at room temperature.
Freezing
Allow rolls to cool completely, then wrap individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer safe bag for up to 3 months. Freeze without the glaze. To serve, thaw at room temperature overnight, then warm covered with foil at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes. Make the glaze fresh.
Make Ahead
This dough is designed for overnight baking. Mix the dough and allow it to bulk ferment at room temperature overnight, about 8 to 10 hours. Make the compote the same night so both are ready in the morning. Alternatively, after cutting and placing the rolls in the pan, cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 8 to 10 hours. Remove and allow to sit at room temperature until no longer cold to the touch, about 1 hour, then complete the full 3 to 4 hour final proof before baking. Do not bake cold rolls straight from the refrigerator.
Which Yogurt to Use
This recipe was developed and tested using both Siggi's nonfat plain skyr and Kirkland Signature organic nonfat Greek yogurt from Costco. Both work beautifully. What matters most is thickness. The thicker your yogurt or skyr, the better your dough will come together. FAGE Total 0% and Stonyfield Organic Nonfat Plain are also good options. Avoid anything flavored, 2% or whole milk, or thin and runny. Check the ingredients and look for nothing more than milk and live active cultures.
Frosting Option
The drizzle glaze lets the blueberry swirl stay visible in the pan, which is why it is the choice for this recipe. If you prefer a thicker cream cheese frosting that covers the rolls completely, visit the blog post for the adjusted method and ratios.
Higher Protein Glaze
The Greek yogurt glaze variation substitutes nonfat plain Greek yogurt for the butter in the standard glaze and adds a small amount of heavy cream for richness. The flavor and drizzle consistency are nearly identical to the standard version with a modest protein boost. Full ingredients and instructions are listed above and in the blog post.
Substitutions and Variations
For egg substitutions, flour swaps, fruit filling variations, and additional tips, visit the full blog post at h3artofthehome.com.
Troubleshooting
If your dough feels sticky, resist adding more flour. A slightly tacky dough is correct for this recipe. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm it up if it is genuinely unworkable. If your rolls are not rising during the final proof, the two most likely reasons are a starter that was not at peak when you mixed the dough, or a kitchen that is too cold. Find a warm spot such as an oven with just the light on, which runs about 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and always use the poke test rather than the clock.
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