Lemon Rolls Recipe | Soft Sweet Rolls with Bright Lemon Filling & Glaze
These Lemon Rolls are a bright and tangy twist on classic cinnamon rolls—featuring pillowy dough swirled with sweet lemon filling and topped with a luscious lemon glaze. Bursting with fresh lemon zest and juice, they’re the perfect balance of sweet and citrusy. Ideal for spring brunches, Easter mornings, or any time you crave a cheerful treat, these rolls are easy to make and impossible to resist. Serve warm for a melt-in-your-mouth experience that tastes like sunshine in every bite.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Stand mixer or hand mixer
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Rolling Pin
- Zester or microplane
- Baking dish (9x13)
- Oven
Ingredients
Dough:
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
- ¾ cup warm milk
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ tsp salt
Filling:
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- Zest of 2 lemons
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tbsp lemon pudding mix (optional)
Frosting:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1–2 tbsp lemon juice or extract
Instructions
- Make the dough: Combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let sit until foamy. Add eggs, melted butter, salt, and flour. Mix and knead until smooth.
- First rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled.
- Prepare filling: Mix lemon zest, sugar, butter, and pudding mix into a paste.
- Roll and fill: Roll dough into a rectangle. Spread filling evenly.
- Shape rolls: Roll up tightly and slice into 12 pieces. Place in greased baking dish.
- Second rise: Cover and let rise for 30–45 minutes.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden
- Make frosting: Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and lemon juice until smooth.
- Frost and serve: Spread frosting on warm rolls. Garnish with zest or poppy seeds.
Notes
- Make-Ahead: Prepare dough and shape rolls the night before. Refrigerate and bake fresh in the morning.
- Storage: Keep in airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Microwave individual rolls for 10–15 seconds.
- Avoid overbaking: Rolls should be lightly golden and soft.
- Check yeast freshness: Expired yeast won’t rise properly.
- Gluten-free option: Use 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and adjust liquid slightly.