Description
These Lemon Sweet Rolls are soft, fluffy, and bursting with fresh lemon flavor. Perfect for a bright and zesty breakfast or brunch treat, these rolls are topped with a delicious lemon glaze and are made with a homemade sweet dough.
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4½ cups all-purpose flour (more as needed)
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, softened (for filling)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (for filling)
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest (about 2 lemons)
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened (for glaze)
- 1½ cups powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 2 tablespoons milk (as needed for consistency)
Instructions
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine warm milk and yeast. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Add sugar, melted butter, eggs, and salt. Mix to combine.
- Gradually add flour, one cup at a time, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- In a small bowl, mix sugar and lemon zest for the filling.
- Roll dough into a large rectangle (about 10×15 inches). Spread softened butter over the surface, then sprinkle evenly with lemon sugar mixture.
- Tightly roll dough into a log and cut into 12 even rolls.
- Place rolls into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Cover and let rise for another 30-45 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
- While rolls bake, prepare the glaze by beating cream cheese, powdered sugar, lemon juice, and milk until smooth.
- Spread glaze over warm rolls and serve.
Notes
- Use fresh lemon zest and juice for the best flavor.
- Rolls can be made ahead and refrigerated overnight before baking.
- Ensure yeast is activated properly by using warm (not hot) milk.
- For a thinner glaze, add more milk one teaspoon at a time.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
