If you love cinnamon rolls, wait until you try these soft, fluffy, and citrusy Lemon Rolls! Filled with a sweet, tangy lemon-sugar filling and topped with a luscious lemon glaze, these rolls are bright, refreshing, and absolutely irresistible.
Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, these homemade sweet rolls bring a burst of sunshine to any table. The dough is pillowy soft, the filling is zesty and sweet, and the glaze adds the perfect tangy finishing touch.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔️ Soft & Buttery Dough – Light, fluffy, and melts in your mouth!
✔️ Bright & Citrusy – A fresh twist on classic cinnamon rolls.
✔️ Perfect for Any Occasion – Great for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
✔️ Make Ahead Friendly – Prep the night before and bake in the morning!
Ingredients (Makes 12 Rolls)
For the Dough:
- 360g (3 cups) all-purpose flour
- 50g (¼ cup) granulated sugar
- 2¼ tsp (1 packet) instant yeast
- ½ tsp salt
- 120ml (½ cup) warm milk (110°F/45°C)
- 56g (¼ cup) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Lemon Filling:
- 100g (½ cup) granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon zest (from 2 lemons)
- 56g (¼ cup) unsalted butter, softened
For the Lemon Glaze:
- 120g (1 cup) powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp milk or cream (for extra richness, optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
- Add warm milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until combined.
- Knead the dough by hand for 8-10 minutes (or 5 minutes in a stand mixer with a dough hook) until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
Step 2: Make the Lemon Filling
- In a small bowl, mix granulated sugar and lemon zest. Rub the zest into the sugar to release the oils (this enhances the flavor!).
- Set aside.
Step 3: Roll & Fill the Dough
- Punch down the risen dough and roll it into a 10×14-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface.
- Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough.
- Sprinkle the lemon-sugar mixture on top.
- Roll the dough tightly from the long side, then cut into 12 even slices.
Step 4: Second Rise
- Arrange the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, leaving some space between them.
- Cover and let them rise for 30-45 minutes, until puffy.
Step 5: Bake the Rolls
- Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F).
- Bake the rolls for 22-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
Step 6: Make the Lemon Glaze & Serve
- Whisk together powdered sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and milk until smooth.
- Drizzle the glaze over the warm rolls and serve immediately.
Nutritional Information (Per Roll, based on 12 servings)
- Calories: ~250 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fat: 8g
- Protein: 4g
- Sugar: 18g
Tips for the Best Lemon Rolls
✅ Use Fresh Lemons – Freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest provide the best flavor.
✅ Room Temperature Ingredients – Ensures even mixing and a soft dough.
✅ Don’t Overbake – Bake just until golden to keep them soft.
✅ Make It Extra Lemony – Add a few drops of lemon extract to the glaze for an intense citrus flavor.
Make Ahead & Storage Instructions
???? Make Ahead: After shaping the rolls, cover and refrigerate overnight. Let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
❄️ Freezing: Baked rolls (without glaze) can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw, warm, and glaze before serving.
Delicious Variations
???? Honey Lemon Rolls – Swap granulated sugar for honey in the filling.
???? Coconut Lemon Rolls – Add shredded coconut to the filling.
???? Lemon Raspberry Rolls – Sprinkle fresh raspberries over the filling before rolling.
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