Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Lemon Rolls bring the best of both worlds: they are light and fluffy, yet bursting with the refreshing flavor of lemons. The dough is soft and buttery, with a perfect balance of sweetness and zest from the fresh lemon juice and lemon zest. The glaze adds a beautiful finish, making these rolls a perfect treat for any lemon lover. They’re easy to make and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 package (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup whole milk
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 large eggs
- Zest of 2 lemons
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Mix well to distribute the ingredients evenly.
Step 2: Heat the Milk
In a saucepan, heat the whole milk until warm but not boiling. Pour the warm milk into the dry ingredients and stir to combine.
Step 3: Mix Initial Ingredients
Add the melted butter, eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to the mixture. Stir until well combined.
Step 4: Knead the Dough
Gradually add the remaining flour, one cup at a time, mixing until a soft dough forms. Once the dough comes together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Step 5: First Rise
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
Step 6: Prepare the Filling
In a small bowl, mix together softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice until smooth. Set aside.
Step 7: Roll Out the Dough
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out into a rectangle, about ¼ inch thick, on a lightly floured surface.
Step 8: Spread Filling
Evenly spread the filling mixture over the rolled-out dough, covering it from edge to edge.
Step 9: Form the Rolls
Starting from one long side, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seam to seal it.
Step 10: Slice the Rolls
Cut the log into 12 equal pieces using a sharp knife or dental floss. Place the rolls in a greased baking dish, ensuring they are snug but not overcrowded.
Step 11: Second Rise
Cover the rolls with a kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes or until they puff up.
Step 12: Preheat Oven
While the rolls are rising, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Step 13: Bake
Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until they are golden brown and have risen beautifully.
Step 14: Cool
Remove the rolls from the oven and let them cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before glazing.
Step 15: Prepare the Glaze
While the rolls are cooling, whisk together powdered sugar, lemon juice, and zest in a small bowl until smooth and glossy.
Step 16: Drizzle Glaze
Once the rolls are slightly cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top, allowing it to soak into the rolls for extra sweetness and flavor.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 12 rolls
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including rise time)
Variations
- Lemon and Blueberry Rolls: Add fresh blueberries to the filling for an extra burst of fruit flavor.
- Vegan Version: Use plant-based butter, non-dairy milk, and egg substitutes to make these rolls vegan-friendly.
- Cinnamon Twist: Add a sprinkle of cinnamon to the glaze for an additional depth of flavor.
- Lemon Poppy Seed Rolls: Incorporate poppy seeds into the dough or the filling for a delightful crunch.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store leftover lemon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze the baked rolls for up to 3 months. To reheat, warm them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes.
- Reheating: To reheat individual rolls, place them in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or warm them in the oven.
FAQs
1. Can I use all-purpose flour for this recipe?
Yes, all-purpose flour works perfectly for this recipe, providing a soft, fluffy texture for the rolls.
2. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time. After the first rise, punch it down and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Let it come to room temperature before rolling it out.
3. Can I use lemon extract instead of fresh lemon juice?
Yes, you can use lemon extract instead of fresh lemon juice, but the flavor will be more concentrated, so you’ll only need about ½ teaspoon.
4. How can I make the rolls sweeter?
If you prefer sweeter rolls, you can increase the amount of sugar in the dough or the glaze to your liking.
5. Can I use a different filling for these rolls?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with other fillings like cream cheese, almond paste, or fruit preserves for a different twist.
6. What can I use instead of brown sugar?
You can substitute brown sugar with white granulated sugar if you prefer a lighter flavor, but brown sugar adds a lovely depth to the filling.
7. Can I make these rolls without the glaze?
Yes, the rolls are delicious on their own, but the glaze adds a sweet, tangy finishing touch that enhances the lemon flavor.
8. How can I adjust the dough if it’s too sticky?
If the dough is too sticky, gradually add a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
9. Can I use a bread machine for this recipe?
Yes, you can use a bread machine to prepare the dough. Just follow the manufacturer’s instructions for making dough, then proceed with the filling and baking steps.
10. Can I make these rolls smaller?
Yes, you can cut the dough into smaller pieces if you prefer smaller rolls. Just adjust the baking time accordingly, checking for doneness after 15-20 minutes.
Conclusion
These Lemon Rolls are a perfect combination of tangy lemon flavor and soft, buttery dough. Whether you’re serving them for a brunch gathering or enjoying them with your morning coffee, these rolls are sure to become a favorite. With their sweet glaze and irresistible aroma, these Lemon Rolls are a must-try treat that’s easy to make and utterly delicious.
Lemon Rolls: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe for Amazing Treats
Lemon Rolls combine soft, fluffy dough with a burst of citrusy lemon flavor, topped with a sweet glaze, making them an irresistible treat perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including rise time)
- Yield: 12 rolls
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
4 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup granulated sugar
1 package (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup whole milk
⅓ cup unsalted butter (melted)
2 large eggs
Zest of 2 lemons
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Mix well.
- Heat the milk: Warm the milk in a saucepan until it’s warm but not boiling. Add it to the dry ingredients and stir.
- Mix initial ingredients: Add melted butter, eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to the mixture. Stir to combine.
- Knead the dough: Gradually add the remaining flour, one cup at a time, until a soft dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- First rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for about 1 hour until doubled in size.
- Prepare the filling: In a small bowl, mix softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice until smooth.
- Roll out the dough: Punch the dough down, roll it into a rectangle (about ¼ inch thick), and spread the filling evenly over it.
- Form the rolls: Starting from one long side, tightly roll the dough into a log and pinch the seam to seal.
- Slice the rolls: Cut the log into 12 equal pieces and place them in a greased baking dish.
- Second rise: Cover the rolls and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
- Cool: Let the rolls cool for 10-15 minutes before glazing.
- Prepare the glaze: Mix powdered sugar, lemon juice, and zest until smooth and glossy.
- Drizzle the glaze: Drizzle the glaze over the cooled rolls.
Notes
For a vegan version, use plant-based butter, non-dairy milk, and egg substitutes.
For a twist, add fresh blueberries or strawberries to the filling.
If the dough is too sticky, add more flour, a tablespoon at a time, until smooth.
Use a bread machine to make the dough if desired, then proceed with the filling and baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
