These sweets rolls have always been a part of Easter morning for me. I helped my grandfather make them for years and enjoy continuing the tradition with my family.

If you’ve never used Muscat raisins before, it’s worth tracking them down for this recipe. They are larger and more moist than typical raisins, with quite a different flavor. We order the seeded variety ahead online and keep them in the freezer until we need them.

When time has been short, we’ve used a can of cream cheese frosting in place of the icing. But there’s really no substitute for the original.

These sweet rolls are best fresh, so I recommend making them the evening before you plan to have them.

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Sweet Rolls

Ingredients

• 6 – 6 1/2 cups flour, divided, plus more for work surface
• 8 tablespoons sugar, divided
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 package active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water (about 105◦)

Filling

• 2 tablespoons milk
• 6 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 1/4 cups raisins (preferably muscat)
• 4 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces

Icing

• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 4 cups confectioner’s sugar
• 6 tablespoons (or more) milk

Instructions

• In a large bowl, stir together 5 1/2 cups of flour, the salt, and 6 tablespoons of the sugar.
• Scald the milk by heating it in a small pan over medium-low heat.  Stir constantly until the milk starts to steam and small bubbles appear at the edges – do not let it come to a boil.  Remove from heat immediately and add the shortening.  Let the mixture cool until just warm, about 105◦.  
• In a small bowl, combine yeast with the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar.  Add warm water and let stand for 10 minutes. 
• Add the yeast and milk mixtures to the flour mixture and stir until everything is fully combined.  
  
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured work surface.  Sprinkle an additional 1/2 cup of flour on the dough and knead until smooth, adding up to 1/2 cup more flour if it’s still sticky.  Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about an hour.
• Place dough on freshly floured work surface and roll into a 1/4-inch thick rectangle, approximately 17 x 24-inches.  Drizzle with the milk, spreading it into a thin layer with your fingers.  Sprinkle on the sugar and cinnamon, evenly distribute the raisins, then dot with the butter. 
• Roll up dough from the long edge and pinch the seam firmly together.  (If it’s not sticking, rub the inside of the seam with a little more milk and try again.)  Squish the dough from the center out to make it a more even roll – it should be 1 1/2 – 2 inches in diameter.  Cut the roll into 24 slices, discarding both ends, and place slices cut side down in two greased 8 x 11-inch baking dishes.
• Cover the pans and let the rolls rise again for an hour, preheating your oven to 425◦ towards the end.  Bake rolls until the tops are golden, about 20 minutes.  
• For the icing, using an electric mixer, beat the butter and vanilla until light and fluffy.  Add the sugar 1 cup at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition.  Add the milk and beat again, adding more milk by the teaspoonful if needed, until you reach frosting consistency.
• Frost the rolls with the icing once they have cooled.