03/27/2025
🍋 Lemon Sweet Rolls – Soft, Fluffy & Bursting with Citrus Flavor! 🍋✨
📋 Ingredients (Makes 12 Rolls)
For the Dough:
1 ½ cups whole milk, warmed to 110°F 🥛
2 ¼ tsp instant yeast (1 packet) 🌿
1 large egg, room temperature 🥚
3 tbsp granulated sugar 🍚
2 tsp lemon zest 🍋
½ tsp salt 🧂
3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted 🧈
3½ to 4¼ cups bread or all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled) 🌾
Olive oil or butter (for greasing)
For the Filling:
¾ cup granulated sugar 🍚
1 ½ tbsp lemon zest (packed, about 2 large lemons) 🍋
5 tbsp unsalted butter, softened 🧈
1 tbsp unsalted butter (for greasing)
For the Glaze:
4 oz full-fat cream cheese, softened 🧀
2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened 🧈
1 ¼ cups powdered sugar 🍚
Pinch of salt 🧂
2 tbsp lemon juice (about 1 large lemon) 🍋
For Garnish:
Lemon slices 🍋
Lemon zest 🍋✨
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Make the Dough: In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine warm milk, yeast, egg, sugar, lemon zest, melted butter, and salt. Whisk by hand until foamy. Add flour, then knead with a dough hook for 3 minutes (or mix by hand and knead for 5 minutes). The dough should be slightly tacky but not sticky. If needed, add flour 1 tbsp at a time.
2️⃣ Let It Rise: Lightly grease a bowl, place the dough inside, and cover with plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
3️⃣ Roll & Fill: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll it into a 16x12-inch rectangle. In a bowl, mix sugar and lemon zest. Spread softened butter over the dough, then sprinkle the lemon-sugar mixture evenly on top.
4️⃣ Roll & Cut: Roll the dough tightly from the long side into a log and pinch the seam closed. Cut into 12 equal pieces.
5️⃣ Second Rise: Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter and place the rolls inside. Cover with plastic wrap and let them rise for 45-60 minutes until puffy.
6️⃣ Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush rolls with melted butter and bake for 28-30 minutes, until golden brown. If browning too quickly, cover with foil and continue baking.
7️⃣ Make the Glaze: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, salt, and lemon juice, and mix until pourable. Adjust consistency with more lemon juice (thinner) or powdered sugar (thicker).
8️⃣ Glaze & Serve: Drizzle the glaze over warm rolls. Garnish with lemon slices and zest. Enjoy warm!
🕒 Prep Time: 15 minutes
⏳ Rise Time: 1 hr 45 mins
🔥 Bake Time: 30 minutes
🍽 Total Time: 2 hrs 30 mins