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Oma's Sweet Roll Recipe with Raisins (Rosinenbrötchen)

Here's an easy German sweet roll recipe that's great for Easter and other holidays as well. It also makes a great fruit loaf.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp (4 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (120 ml) lukewarm milk
• 1 tbsp (10 g) active dry yeast
• ¾ cup (171 g) unsaltedbutter, melted, cooled slightly
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp (4 g) vanilla sugar
• 2½ cups (325 g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ tsp (5 g) salt
• ½ tsp (1.5 g) cardamom (optional)
• 1½ tbsp (23 ml) lemon juice
• ½ cup (55 g) slivered almonds
• 1⅓ cups (200 g) raisins
• ⅓ cup (80 g) chopped candied lemon peel 
• ½ tbsp (3 g) grated lemon zest
• 1 egg yolk
• granulated sugar to sprinkle on rolls

Instructions:

1. Prepare a baking sheet, either by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper, and set aside.
2. Stir 1 teaspoon sugar into the warm milk in a small bowl. Sprinkle with the yeast. Mix in the yeast and let stand 5 to 10 minutes until bubbly.
3. In another small bowl, mix the butter, sugar, and vanilla sugar.
4. In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt, and cardamom. Stir in the yeast and butter mixtures. Add the lemon juice and mix well. Knead in the almonds, raisins, candied peel, and lemon zest.
5. On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough until smooth and elastic.
6. Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place for about 45 minutes or until doubled.
7. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
8. Lightly knead the risen dough. Divide the dough into 10 equal pieces. (If you want smaller buns, divide the dough into 12 pieces.) Roll each piece into a ball.
9. Place onto the baking sheet and flatten lightly. Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm, draft-free place for 15 to 20 minutes.
10. Brush the rolls with the beaten egg yolk mixed with 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) water, and sprinkle with sugar.
11. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove to a wire rack to cool

Notes/Hints:

To make a loaf:

• lightly knead the dough after the first rising.
• Form it into a loaf shape and place it either on a greased baking sheet or into a greased loaf pan.
• Cover with a towel and let stand in a warm place for about 30 minutes.
• Brush with the beaten egg yolk mixed with 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) water, and sprinkle with sugar.
• Bake in a preheated 375° F (190ºC) oven for 45 to 50 minutes until golden brown.
• The bottom of the loaf should sound hollow when tapped. Cool on a wire rack.

If you’re a bread machine fan, add the ingredients, minus the nuts, raisins, and lemon zest to the bread pan. Set the machine to dough and start. Add the remaining ingredients at the first signal. Once the dough is done, remove and continue with the recipe at the forming stage.

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Updated: October 26, 2025