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Yield
12 servings
Time
1 hour and 25 minutes
These Lemon Sweet Rolls are made with an easy homemade dough that requires only 8 ingredients and a one-hour rise. Spread with a buttery sweet lemon filling, then finished with a lemon cream cheese frosting. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, celebrations and more!
why you'll love it
lemon sweet roll
ingredients
Proof yeast. Warm milk for about 20-30 seconds. Add yeast and sugar into bowl and pour in the milk. Stir until combined, then allow to sit for 10 minutes, until the top is foamy.
step one
Add butter and egg. Once the milk and yeast mixture is foamy, whisk in melted butter and egg until combined.
step TWO
Add flour. Add in 1 cup flour, then lemon zest and salt. Gently mix with a wooden spoon, then add remaining flour ½ cup at a time, stopping at 3 1/2 cups.
step three
Knead dough. Knead the dough with the dough hook attachment for about 5-7 minutes, or until the dough is soft but not overly sticky. OR knead by hand on a floured surface.
step four
Allow dough to rise. Lightly grease a large bowl and shape the dough into a ball. Place the dough in the bowl and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Let rise until the dough has doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
step five
Roll and fill. Roll the dough out into a 15×9″ rectangle. Then, evenly spread softened butter, leaving about a 1″ border. Sprinkle sugar and lemon zest all over and gently pat to allow the sugar to absorb into the butter.
step six
Roll and slice. Gently roll the dough into a log. Slice into about 12 rolls. Place in the greased baking pan, leaving some space in between each.
step seven
Let rise again. After about 15 minutes of rising time, remove the rolls from the oven (if they are in there) and/or uncover the tea towel.
step eight
Bake cinnamon rolls. Bake at350ºF for 20 minutes, until lightly golden on top. Then, if necessary, cover the top of the rolls with aluminum foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes.
step nine
Spread cream cheese frosting on lemon rolls and dig in! These lemon sweet rolls are filled with lemon flavor in every layer.
enjoy!
In a medium bowl using an electric hand mixer, beat softened cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add in lemon zest, lemon juice and powdered sugar; mix on low speed until combined. If you’d like a thinner glaze, add an additional tablespoon of lemon juice.
cream cheese frosting
Dough can be made the night before through step 5. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and let rise in the refrigerator overnight. The next morning, remove from the refrigerator and allow to rise at room temperature, about 1 hour. Bake as instructed.
make ahead
This lemon buns recipe will stay fresh and soft in the center wrapped in plastic wrap or covered in a cake dome on the kitchen counter for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge.
storage
Rolls (with or without frosting) freeze well for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Heat a large batch in a preheated 350 degree F oven or individually in 20-30 second intervals in the microave.
freezing
Nothing says breakfast to me more than sweet rolls. Think of these like cinnamon rolls, but with citrusy lemon in its place.