Soft Lemon Rolls with Glaze (Printable View)
Fluffy citrus-filled pastries with sweet lemon sugar filling and tangy glaze, perfect for breakfast or dessert.
# What You Need:
→ Dough
01 - 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
04 - 1/2 tsp salt
05 - 3/4 cup whole milk, warmed
06 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
07 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
→ Lemon Filling
08 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
09 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
10 - Zest from 2 lemons
11 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
→ Lemon Glaze
12 - 1 cup powdered sugar
13 - 2-3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
14 - Zest from 1 lemon, for garnish
# How To Make It:
01 - Combine warm milk with yeast and a pinch of sugar in a large bowl. Let stand 5–10 minutes until foamy.
02 - Add melted butter, eggs, remaining sugar, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix well, then gradually add flour while mixing until a soft, smooth dough forms.
03 - Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for 8–10 minutes until elastic and smooth. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with dough hook for 5–6 minutes.
04 - Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours until doubled in size.
05 - While dough rises, mix softened butter, sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice until smooth and spreadable.
06 - Punch down risen dough and roll out on a lightly floured surface into a 16x12 inch rectangle. Spread lemon filling evenly over dough, leaving a 1/2 inch border.
07 - Roll up dough tightly from the longer side. Slice into 12 equal rolls and arrange in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
08 - Cover rolls and let rise for 30 minutes until puffy.
09 - Preheat oven to 350°F.
10 - Bake rolls for 23–27 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
11 - Cool rolls slightly. Whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth, then drizzle over warm rolls. Garnish with extra lemon zest if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The combination of soft pillowy dough and zesty lemon filling is absolutely irresistible
- They transform an ordinary breakfast into something that feels like a bakery treat at home
02 -
- Dough that does not rise usually means your yeast was dead or the milk was too hot, so use a thermometer
- Rolling the dough too thin makes the filling leak out, so aim for an even thickness
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients prevent the filling from melting into the dough while you work
- Adding fresh blueberries to the filling makes these feel extra special for spring occasions