Description
Delight in these soft and fragrant Lemon Sweet Rolls, perfect for a bright and cheerful breakfast or brunch. Featuring a tender dough swirled with a zesty lemon-sugar filling and topped with a tangy lemon glaze, these homemade rolls offer a refreshing citrus twist on the classic sweet roll.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough:
- 3/4 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Lemon Filling:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest (from about 2 lemons)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
For the Lemon Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon milk
- Optional: extra lemon zest for topping
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, stir the warm milk and yeast together. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar, melted butter, egg, and salt. Add the foamy yeast mixture and mix well. Gradually incorporate the flour until a soft dough forms. Knead by hand or with a dough hook for 5 to 7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- First rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Mix the filling: While the dough rises, combine the lemon zest and sugar in a small bowl to prepare the lemon filling.
- Roll and fill the dough: Once risen, roll the dough out on a floured surface into a 10×14-inch rectangle. Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle the lemon-sugar mixture on top.
- Shape the rolls: Roll up the dough tightly from the long side, then slice into 9 even rolls. Place the rolls in a greased 9×9-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise again for 30 to 40 minutes.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 20 to 25 minutes or until they turn lightly golden.
- Prepare the glaze: While the rolls bake, whisk together powdered sugar, lemon juice, and milk until smooth for the glaze.
- Glaze and serve: Drizzle the lemon glaze over warm rolls and sprinkle with extra lemon zest if desired. Serve the rolls warm for best flavor.
Notes
- For a stronger lemon flavor, add a few drops of lemon extract to the glaze.
- These rolls are best enjoyed fresh but can be gently reheated in the microwave the next day.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 170 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
