Make these soft lemon rolls with a bright, zesty filling and a tangy lemon icing. This recipe proves that incredible, soul-satisfying baked goods do not need to be complicated.
Author:purejoyalex
Prep Time:30 min
Cook Time:25 min
Total Time:140 min
Yield:12 rolls 1x
Category:Breakfast
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 cup whole milk, warmed to 105-115°F
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/4 cup granulated sugar, plus 1 teaspoon for yeast
1 large egg, room temperature
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 teaspoon salt
Zest of 2 large lemons
1/4 cup granulated sugar (for filling)
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened (for filling)
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (for glaze)
2 cups powdered sugar (for glaze)
Instructions
Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and the yeast. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
Mix the dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the 3 cups of flour, 1/4 cup of sugar, and salt. Add the yeast mixture, melted butter, and egg. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
Knead: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 to 7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
Prepare the filling: While the dough rises, mix the 1/4 cup sugar, softened butter, and lemon zest in a small bowl until combined.
Shape the rolls: Punch down the risen dough. Roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a 12×18 inch rectangle. Spread the lemon filling evenly over the dough.
Roll and cut: Starting from the long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log. Cut the log into 12 equal pieces.
Second rise: Place the rolls cut-side up in a greased 9×13 inch baking pan. Cover and let rise again for 30 to 45 minutes until puffy.
Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the rolls for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown.
Make the glaze: While the rolls cool slightly, whisk together the powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice until smooth. Add more juice or sugar as needed to reach a thick, pourable consistency.
Glaze and serve: Drizzle the tangy lemon icing generously over the warm rolls. Serve immediately for the best texture.
Notes
For overnight lemon sweet rolls, assemble the rolls, cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 12 hours before baking. Add 5 to 10 minutes to the bake time if baking directly from the refrigerator.
If you prefer a stronger citrus flavor, add 1 teaspoon of lemon extract to the glaze mixture.
Use fresh lemon zest and juice; bottled juice changes the flavor profile of these zesty citrus rolls.