There’s something so uplifting about the bright, zesty flavor of lemons, especially when paired with the soft, pillowy texture of a freshly baked roll. I’m so excited to share these Luscious Lemon Rolls with you! They’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even as a refreshing dessert. Every bite of these rolls bursts with lemony goodness, topped with a tangy-sweet glaze that brings it all together. Plus, the smell when these are baking? Absolutely heavenly!
Now, let’s dive into how you can make these little rays of sunshine for yourself!
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F/45°C)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
For the Lemon Filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- Zest of 2 lemons
- Juice of 1 lemon
For the Lemon Glaze:
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
How to Make Luscious Lemon Rolls
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the mixture gets frothy — this is the yeast coming to life! Once frothy, add in the sugar, melted butter, eggs, and salt. Mix everything together until well combined.
Gradually incorporate the flour, one cup at a time, until a soft dough begins to form. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead it for about 5-7 minutes. You’ll know the dough is ready when it feels smooth and elastic under your hands.
Place your dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm spot for about an hour. The dough should double in size — patience here will reward you with beautifully fluffy rolls!
Step 2: Make the Lemon Filling
While the dough rises, let’s get that lemony filling ready. In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, granulated sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Mix until smooth and creamy. This mixture will be the tangy, sweet core of your rolls. Trust me, it’s worth every squeeze of lemon!
Step 3: Assemble the Lemon Rolls
Once your dough has risen, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and roll it into a large rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick. Spread the lemon filling evenly across the dough — don’t be shy, go all out!
Now, starting from one of the long edges, roll the dough up tightly into a log shape. Slice the log into 12 equal rolls and place them in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover the dish with a damp cloth again and let the rolls rise for another 30 minutes. They’ll puff up beautifully, doubling in size once more.
Step 4: Bake the Lemon Rolls
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and cooked through. The tops should be lightly browned, and your kitchen will smell like pure lemon bliss! Let the rolls cool slightly in the pan before adding the glaze.
Step 5: Make the Lemon Glaze
In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth. Drizzle this glaze generously over the warm rolls. The combination of the sweet, tangy glaze with the soft, citrusy rolls is irresistible.
Details And Nutritional Information
Details:
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (includes rising time)
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 rolls
Nutrition (per roll):
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Helpful Tips
- Rising Time: Make sure your dough is rising in a warm place. If your kitchen is a bit cool, you can place the dough in the oven with just the light on to create a cozy environment.
- Kneading: If you’re new to kneading, don’t stress! The dough should feel smooth and elastic after a few minutes of gentle kneading. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment to save time and energy.
- Lemon Zest Tip: Be careful to zest only the yellow part of the lemon. The white pith underneath can be quite bitter.
Substitutions and Variations
- Orange Twist: Swap the lemon juice and zest for oranges to make delightful Orange Rolls. Same zesty punch, just with a twist!
- Cream Cheese Glaze: If you want to take things up a notch, try making a cream cheese glaze by mixing softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and a splash of lemon juice.
- Gluten-Free Option: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that works for yeast-based recipes. Just check the packaging to ensure it’s suitable for bread-making.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough the night before and store it in the fridge. In the morning, allow it to come to room temperature before rolling it out and proceeding with the recipe.
Can I freeze these lemon rolls?
Yes, you can! After baking, let the rolls cool completely, then wrap them tightly and freeze. To serve, thaw at room temperature and warm them up in the oven. Add the glaze after reheating.
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes, you can use instant yeast! Just skip the step of proofing the yeast in warm milk and mix the instant yeast directly into the dry ingredients.
Storage Instructions
These lemon rolls are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep them longer, store them in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze them for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in the oven before serving to bring back that fresh-baked taste!
More Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re a fan of quick and delicious desserts like these luscious lemon rolls, you’ll love trying some of my other easy dessert recipes. Be sure to check out my brazilian carrot cake. These recipes are just as simple to make and perfect for any occasion!
Now that you have the recipe, I hope these Luscious Lemon Rolls bring as much joy to your kitchen as they do to mine! Let me know how they turn out, and don’t forget to share a picture — I’m kicking myself for not having shot it already! Happy baking!
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Luscious Lemon Rolls – Soft, and Full of Fresh Lemon Flavor
- Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 rolls 1x
Description
These Luscious Lemon Rolls are the perfect treat for lemon lovers! Soft, fluffy rolls packed with a tangy lemon filling and topped with a sweet, zesty glaze. They’re ideal for breakfast, brunch, or even a light dessert. The refreshing burst of citrus in each bite makes these rolls anything but boring!!
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F/45°C)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
For the Lemon Filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- Zest of 2 lemons
- Juice of 1 lemon
For the Lemon Glaze:
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
Step 1:
In a large bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy. Add sugar, melted butter, eggs, and salt to the yeast mixture and mix until combined. Gradually add flour, 1 cup at a time, until a soft dough forms.
Step 2:
Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
Step 3:
Make the lemon filling by mixing softened butter, sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice in a medium bowl until smooth.
Step 4:
After the dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle (1/4 inch thick). Spread the lemon filling evenly over the dough. Roll the dough tightly into a log and cut it into 12 equal pieces. Place rolls in a greased 9×13-inch dish, cover, and let them rise for 30 minutes.
Step 5:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Let them cool slightly.
Step 6:
In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest to make the glaze. Drizzle over the warm rolls and enjoy!
Notes
- For best results, make sure the milk is warm but not too hot. Too much heat can kill the yeast!
- These rolls are perfect for making ahead: prepare them the night before, refrigerate, and bake fresh in the morning.
- Swap lemons for oranges for a delicious citrus twist!
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (includes rising time)
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert