Description
Soft & Fluffy Lemon Sweet Rolls are light, pillowy pastries filled with a sweet, tangy lemon-sugar mixture and topped with rich cream cheese icing. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, they bring a burst of citrus flavor and comforting sweetness to every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 and 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (for filling)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (for filling)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (for filling)
- 4 ounces full-fat brick cream cheese (for icing)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (for icing)
- 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar (for icing)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (for icing)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, 1/4 cup sugar, salt, and 1 teaspoon lemon zest.
- Heat the milk and 3 tablespoons butter until melted and warm. Add instant yeast and whisk to dissolve.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture, add the egg, and stir until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for 3–5 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and rest for 10 minutes.
- Roll out the dough into a 1/4-inch thick rectangle. Spread 1/4 cup softened butter on top.
- Mix 3/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Sprinkle over the buttered dough.
- Roll the dough tightly into a log and slice into 12 rolls. Place in a greased baking dish.
- Cover and let the rolls rise for 60–90 minutes, until doubled. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake rolls for 24–25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- While baking, prepare icing by beating cream cheese and 1 tablespoon butter until smooth. Add confectioners’ sugar and lemon juice, and beat until fluffy.
- Let rolls cool slightly, then spread icing over the warm rolls.
Notes
- Use warm, not hot, milk to activate the yeast properly.
- For a dairy-free version, use plant-based milk, butter, and cream cheese alternatives.
- The dough can be made and assembled the night before and refrigerated.
- Store rolls in an airtight container for up to 2 days at room temperature or a week in the fridge.
- Freeze baked rolls for up to 3 months; reheat before serving.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: lemon sweet rolls, cream cheese icing, brunch pastries, citrus rolls, homemade sweet rolls