Lemon Sweet Rolls

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Lemon Sweet Rolls are a delightful twist on traditional cinnamon rolls, bursting with bright lemon flavor. The soft, fluffy dough is filled with a tangy lemon sugar mixture, and then topped with a creamy lemon glaze. These rolls are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even a sweet afternoon treat. They offer a perfect balance of sweetness and citrus, leaving you with a fresh, delicious pastry everyone will love.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup milk

  • 1 packet yeast

  • 1 egg

  • 1/4 cup sugar

  • 1/4 cup melted butter

  • 1/2 tsp salt

  • 3 1/2 cups flour

  • Filling: 1/4 cup butter, melted, 1/2 cup sugar, zest of 2 lemons

  • Lemon Glaze: 4 oz cream cheese, 1/4 cup butter, 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tbsp lemon juice

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

  1. Combine milk, yeast, egg, sugar, melted butter, and salt. Whisk until foamy. Add flour and knead for 3 minutes.

  2. Let the dough rise in an oiled bowl, covered, for about an hour until doubled.

  3. Roll dough into a rectangle. Spread butter, then top with sugar and lemon zest. Roll and cut into 12 pieces.

  4. Arrange in a greased baking dish, let rise, and bake at 350°F for 28-30 minutes.

  5. For glaze: Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and lemon juice until smooth. Drizzle over warm rolls.

Servings and Timing

  • Servings: 12 rolls

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes

  • Cook Time: 30 minutes

  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Variations

  • Vegan: Use plant-based milk and butter. Replace cream cheese with a dairy-free alternative.

  • Extra Lemon: Add lemon zest to the dough for a more intense lemon flavor.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warm.

FAQs

1. Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes, you can refrigerate the dough after the second rise and bake when ready.

2. How do I prevent the rolls from becoming too sweet?

Adjust the amount of sugar in the filling and glaze to your taste.

3. Can I freeze these rolls?

Yes, freeze after baking and thaw before reheating.

4. Can I use a different glaze?

Yes, a simple lemon glaze made from powdered sugar and lemon juice will work well.

5. How long do the rolls keep?

Stored in the fridge, these rolls will last up to 3 days.

Conclusion

Lemon Sweet Rolls are a light, fresh, and indulgent treat, perfect for any occasion. With their tangy lemon filling and creamy glaze, these rolls offer a delightful alternative to traditional cinnamon rolls, ensuring a sweet start to any day.


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Lemon Sweet Rolls

Lemon Sweet Rolls

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  • Author: Amy
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 12 rolls
  • Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Lemon Sweet Rolls are a bright and delicious twist on the classic cinnamon roll, featuring soft, fluffy dough filled with tangy lemon sugar and topped with a creamy lemon glaze. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet afternoon treat, these rolls offer the perfect balance of citrus and sweetness, making them a delightful pastry everyone will love.


Ingredients

For the Dough:

1 cup milk

1 packet yeast

1 egg

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup melted butter

1/2 tsp salt

3 1/2 cups flour

For the Filling:

1/4 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup sugar

Zest of 2 lemons

For the Lemon Glaze:

4 oz cream cheese

1/4 cup butter

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tbsp lemon juice


Instructions

  • Prepare the Dough: Combine the milk, yeast, egg, sugar, melted butter, and salt in a bowl. Whisk until foamy. Add the flour and knead for about 3 minutes until smooth.

  • Let the Dough Rise: Cover the dough with a towel and let it rise in an oiled bowl for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.

  • Prepare the Filling: Roll the dough into a rectangle. Brush the melted butter over the surface, then sprinkle with sugar and lemon zest.

  • Form the Rolls: Roll the dough up tightly and cut it into 12 equal pieces.

  • Bake the Rolls: Place the rolls in a greased baking dish, cover, and let them rise for 15 minutes. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 28-30 minutes or until golden brown.

  • Make the Lemon Glaze: While the rolls are baking, beat the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and lemon juice until smooth.

  • Glaze the Rolls: Once the rolls are baked and slightly cooled, drizzle the lemon glaze over the top.


Notes

Vegan: Use plant-based milk and butter, and replace cream cheese with a dairy-free alternative.

Extra Lemon: For a more intense lemon flavor, add some lemon zest to the dough itself.

Make-Ahead: You can refrigerate the dough after the second rise and bake when ready for an easy breakfast or brunch.

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warm.

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