Description
Zesty lemon rolls bring sunshine to breakfast tables with their tangy cream cheese glaze. Pillowy dough infused with bright citrus notes promises a delightful morning treat you’ll savor down to the last crumb.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons or 7 grams) active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup (57 grams) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
Lemon Filling and Glaze:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 23 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Activate the yeast by whisking it with warm milk and a hint of sugar until foamy and fragrant, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Create a light, airy dough by gradually combining flour, remaining sugar, and salt with the yeast mixture, kneading until the texture becomes smooth and elastic.
- Allow the dough to rise in a covered, greased container for 60-75 minutes, or until it doubles in volume in a warm environment.
- Craft a vibrant filling by blending lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, softened butter, and sugar into a tangy, spreadable mixture.
- Roll the dough into a thin rectangular shape, generously spreading the citrusy filling across the surface, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Carefully roll the dough into a tight cylinder, then slice into 12 uniform rounds using a sharp knife or dental floss.
- Arrange the rolls in a greased baking dish, allowing them to undergo a second gentle rise for 35-40 minutes until they become puffy.
- Heat the oven to 350F (175C) and bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until they achieve a golden-brown color.
- Prepare a luminous glaze by whisking powdered sugar with fresh lemon juice until smooth and glossy.
- Drizzle the glaze over the warm rolls, allowing it to cascade and settle into the delicate crevices.
Notes
- Soften butter to room temperature for easier mixing and spreading in the filling, ensuring a smooth, even distribution of lemony goodness.
- Use fresh lemon zest and juice for the most vibrant, bright citrus flavor that truly makes these rolls pop with tangy excitement.
- Prove yeast in slightly warm (not hot) milk to activate without killing the delicate microorganisms, creating perfectly risen, fluffy rolls.
- For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free blend, adding xanthan gum for better texture and structure.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg