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Nothing beats the scent of freshly baked sweet rolls wafting through your kitchen, and these Lemon Rolls take that experience to the next level. Soft, pillowy, and packed with bright citrus flavor, these rolls are the perfect way to start your morning or add a touch of sunshine to any brunch spread.

Unlike traditional cinnamon rolls, these homemade lemon sweet rolls swap warm spices for zesty, tangy goodness. A generous amount of fresh lemon zest and juice infuses both the dough and filling, creating a delightful balance of sweetness and tartness. The finishing touch? A smooth and luscious lemon glaze that seeps into every fluffy layer, making each bite irresistibly moist and flavorful.

The best part? These lemon rolls are ready in just 90 minutes, thanks to the use of instant yeast and a quick proofing method. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just craving a citrusy treat, this recipe is designed to be simple, foolproof, and utterly delicious.

These rolls are also highly customizable. Want an extra crunch? Sprinkle in some poppy seeds. Looking for a more indulgent touch? Swap out the icing for a rich cream cheese glaze. However you choose to make them, these homemade lemon rolls will be a hit with friends and family alike.

So grab your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to bake the best lemon rolls ever—perfectly soft, bursting with citrus flavor, and topped with a dreamy lemon icing. Let’s dive in!

Why You’ll Love These Lemon Rolls

Bright & Citrusy Flavor: Each bite is infused with fresh lemon zest and juice, creating the perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors.
Soft, Fluffy, & Gooey: These rolls bake up beautifully, with a light and airy texture and a soft, gooey center thanks to the luscious lemon filling.
Quick & Easy Recipe: Ready in just 90 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy mornings or last-minute brunch plans.
No Heavy Ingredients: Unlike traditional cinnamon rolls, these lemon rolls feel lighter and fresher, making them a great alternative for warmer seasons.
Perfect for Brunch or Dessert: Whether you’re serving them for breakfast, brunch, or as a sweet treat, these rolls fit any occasion.
Great for Make-Ahead Baking: Prep the dough in advance and refrigerate overnight, so you can bake fresh lemon rolls in the morning with minimal effort.
Customizable & Versatile: Add poppy seeds, mix in blueberries, or swap the icing for a cream cheese glaze to create your own delicious variation.
Crowd-Pleasing Treat: These rolls are guaranteed to be a hit at any gathering. Their vibrant lemon flavor and soft texture make them irresistible to kids and adults alike.
Pairs Well with Coffee & Tea: Serve these warm rolls with a cup of coffee, tea, or even a glass of milk for the ultimate cozy treat.
Visually Stunning: The golden rolls drizzled with a glossy lemon icing and topped with fresh zest make them as beautiful as they are delicious.

If you love light, citrusy desserts, these homemade lemon rolls are about to become your new favorite bake. Let’s get started!

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Dough:

4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
4 1/2 tsp instant dry yeast (or 2 packets)
1 Tbsp + 1 tsp poppy seeds (optional)
1 tsp fine salt
1 cup buttermilk or whole milk
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 Tbsp fresh lemon zest

For the Lemon Filling:

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
2 Tbsp fresh lemon zest
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

For the Lemon Icing:

2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Fresh lemon zest for topping

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Preheat oven to 200°F (95°C).
In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, yeast, poppy seeds, and salt.
In a separate microwave-safe bowl, combine buttermilk, granulated sugar, and butter. Microwave for 1 minute, then stir until the butter is melted. Ensure the mixture is warm but not too hot to touch.
Pour the warm mixture into the dry ingredients and mix using a dough hook or dough whisk.
Add eggs one at a time, mixing until fully incorporated.
Mix in lemon zest, then gradually add additional flour 1 Tbsp at a time until the dough is tacky but not sticky.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rest for 10-20 minutes.

Step 2: Make the Lemon Filling

In a bowl, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, and lemon zest. Massage the zest into the sugar to release the natural oils.
Add softened butter and mix until combined.

Step 3: Roll Out and Fill the Dough

Lightly flour your surface and roll the dough into a 12×18-inch rectangle.
Spread the lemon filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border.
Roll the dough tightly from the long side and cut into 12 equal rolls using dental floss or a sharp knife.

Step 4: Proof and Bake

Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and place the rolls inside.
Turn off the oven and place the covered rolls inside to rise for 30 minutes.
Remove from the oven, preheat to 350°F (175°C), and bake for 28-32 minutes or until golden brown.

Step 5: Make the Lemon Icing

In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, fresh lemon juice, and melted butter until smooth.
Let rolls cool for 10-20 minutes before drizzling the icing over the top.
Sprinkle with fresh lemon zest and serve warm!

Expert Tips for Perfect Lemon Rolls

Use Instant Yeast: This helps the dough rise faster, cutting down prep time.
Poke Test for Dough: If dough is tacky but doesn’t stick to your finger, it’s ready.
Use Dental Floss to Cut Rolls: This prevents squishing the dough.
Let Rolls Cool Slightly Before Icing: This ensures the glaze melts perfectly over them.

FAQs About Lemon Rolls

Q: Can I make these lemon rolls ahead of time?

Yes! Prepare the dough and fill the rolls, then refrigerate overnight. Bake the next morning.

Q: Can I freeze lemon rolls?

Absolutely! Bake, cool, and freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat before serving.

Q: Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?

Yes, but you’ll need to activate it first with warm water and sugar. Also, let the dough rise longer.

Q: How do I store leftover lemon rolls?

Store at room temperature for 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Warm in the microwave before serving.

Final Thoughts

These Lemon Rolls are a citrusy twist on classic cinnamon rolls. With their fluffy texture, gooey lemon filling, and sweet lemon icing, they make the ultimate breakfast treat! Whether you’re serving them at brunch or as a weekend indulgence, they are sure to be a hit.

Try this recipe today and enjoy the bright, zesty flavors of homemade Lemon Rolls! 🍋✨

🌞 Soft & Gooey Lemon Rolls with Zesty Icing 🍋

Author: therecipemingle
Total Time: 1 hour 28 minutes
Yield: 12 Rolls 1x

Print Recipe

Description

There’s something magical about the bright, zesty flavor of lemon wrapped in a soft, pillowy roll and drizzled with sweet, tangy lemon icing! These Lemon Rolls bake up gooey, fluffy, and bursting with citrusy goodness in just 90 minutes. They’re the perfect summer treat for a cozy breakfast, brunch, or just because you deserve something sweet! 🌞

Ingredients

Scale

Lemon Roll Dough

4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (530g)
4 1/2 tsp (or 2 packets) instant dry yeast (14g)
1 Tbsp + 1 tsp poppy seeds (optional)
1 tsp fine salt (6g)
1 cup buttermilk or whole milk (240g)
1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temp (113g)
2 large eggs, room temp (112g)
2 Tbsp fresh lemon zest (zest of 2 large lemons, 6g)

Lemon Roll Filling

1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar (100g)
2 Tbsp fresh lemon zest (zest of 2 large lemons, 6g)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (113g)

Lemon Icing

2 cups powdered sugar (250g)
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (60g)
2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted (28g)

Instructions

1️⃣ Make the Dough

1️⃣ Preheat oven to 200°F (95°C).
2️⃣ In a large bowl, mix flour, yeast, poppy seeds, and salt.
3️⃣ In another bowl, heat buttermilk, sugar, and butter for 1 min in the microwave (butter should be mostly melted, and warm, not hot).
4️⃣ Slowly mix the warm buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients.
5️⃣ Add eggs, one at a time, mixing until combined.
6️⃣ Mix in lemon zest.
7️⃣ Add extra flour 1 Tbsp at a time until dough is tacky but not sticky.
8️⃣ Cover and let rest for 10-20 minutes.

2️⃣ Make the Filling

1️⃣ In a bowl, mix sugar, brown sugar, and lemon zest—rub the zest into the sugar to release the oils.
2️⃣ Mix in softened butter until combined.

3️⃣ Roll & Cut the Dough

1️⃣ Roll dough into a 12×18-inch rectangle.
2️⃣ Spread filling evenly, leaving ½ inch uncovered on one long edge.
3️⃣ Roll tightly and cut into 12 pieces using dental floss (for clean cuts!).
4️⃣ Place rolls in a greased 9×13-inch pan.

4️⃣ Let Rolls Rise

1️⃣ Turn OFF the oven and cover rolls with foil.
2️⃣ Place pan in the warm oven for 30 minutes to rise.
3️⃣ Remove from oven, uncover, and preheat to 350°F (175°C).

5️⃣ Bake the Rolls

1️⃣ Bake for 28-32 minutes, until golden brown.

6️⃣ Make the Icing

1️⃣ Whisk together powdered sugar, lemon juice, and melted butter.
2️⃣ Let rolls cool 10-20 minutes, then drizzle icing on top.
3️⃣ Sprinkle with fresh lemon zest and enjoy!

Notes

🌟 Baking Tips for the Best Lemon Rolls:
✔️ Use instant yeast for quicker rising.
✔️ Dental floss makes clean, easy cuts!
✔️ Let rolls cool slightly before icing for the perfect melt.
✔️ If using a glass baking dish, lower oven temp to 325°F (162°C).

💛 These rolls are like a warm hug in every bite! Who’s making them this weekend? 😍👇

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 28 minutes

Nutrition

Calories: 390 kcal per roll
Sugar: 32g
Sodium: 180mg
Fat: 15g per roll
Saturated Fat: 9g per roll
Carbohydrates: 58g per roll
Fiber: 1g per roll
Protein: 6g per roll
Cholesterol: 65mg per roll

Lemon Rolls Recipe

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