Description
These delightful Lemon Rolls are a perfect blend of soft, fluffy dough with a tangy lemon filling and a sweet lemon glaze. The rolls are yeast-leavened, enriched with butter and fresh lemon zest, and baked to golden perfection. Ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a citrusy dessert treat, these rolls offer a refreshing twist on classic sweet rolls.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 1 cup warm milk
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
Filling
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, mix the warm milk, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Prepare Dough Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, salt, all-purpose flour, egg, and lemon zest. Stir well to mix.
- Add Yeast Mixture: Pour the yeast mixture into the large bowl with the dry ingredients and stir until a dough forms.
- Knead Dough: Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead it for 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the kneaded dough into a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Shape Dough: Punch down the risen dough and roll it out on a floured surface into a 12×18-inch rectangle.
- Add Filling: Spread the softened butter evenly over the rolled dough, then sprinkle brown sugar over it, and drizzle fresh lemon juice on top.
- Form Rolls: Roll the dough tightly into a log shape starting from one long edge, then cut it into 12 equal pieces.
- Prepare for Second Rise: Place the cut rolls into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, cover them, and let rise for 30-45 minutes until they are puffed up.
- Preheat Oven: While the rolls are rising, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake: Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes or until they are golden brown on top.
- Make Glaze: While the rolls bake, whisk together powdered sugar, fresh lemon juice, and milk in a small bowl until the glaze is smooth and pourable.
- Glaze Rolls: Once out of the oven and while still warm, drizzle the lemon glaze over the rolls evenly.
- Serve: Serve the lemon rolls warm and enjoy their soft texture and zesty flavor.
Notes
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best bright flavor.
- Make sure the milk is warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
- For softer rolls, cover the dough while rising and bake quickly after the second rise.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat gently before serving.
- You can substitute all-purpose flour with bread flour for a chewier texture.
