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
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1 cup milk
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1 packet yeast
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1 egg
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1/4 cup sugar
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1/4 cup melted butter
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1/2 tsp salt
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3 1/2 cups flour
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Filling: 1/4 cup butter, melted, 1/2 cup sugar, zest of 2 lemons
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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
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Combine milk, yeast, egg, sugar, melted butter, and salt. Whisk until foamy. Add flour and knead for 3 minutes.
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Let the dough rise in an oiled bowl, covered, for about an hour until doubled.
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Roll dough into a rectangle. Spread butter, then top with sugar and lemon zest. Roll and cut into 12 pieces.
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Arrange in a greased baking dish, let rise, and bake at 350°F for 28-30 minutes.
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For glaze: Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and lemon juice until smooth. Drizzle over warm rolls.
Servings and Timing
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Servings: 12 rolls
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
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Cook Time: 30 minutes
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Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Variations
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Vegan: Use plant-based milk and butter. Replace cream cheese with a dairy-free alternative.
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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.

Lemon Sweet Rolls
- 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
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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.
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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.
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Prepare the Filling: Roll the dough into a rectangle. Brush the melted butter over the surface, then sprinkle with sugar and lemon zest.
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Form the Rolls: Roll the dough up tightly and cut it into 12 equal pieces.
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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.
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Make the Lemon Glaze: While the rolls are baking, beat the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and lemon juice until smooth.
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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.