Lemon Rolls Recipe

Introduction

These Lemon Rolls are soft, fluffy, and bursting with fresh citrus flavor. Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat, they combine a tender dough with a bright lemon filling and a smooth, tangy glaze. You’ll love the balance of sweet and zesty in every bite.

Ingredients

• 4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour + additional flour as needed (530g)
• 4 1/2 tsp (2 packets) instant dry yeast (14g, 1/2 oz.)
• 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp poppy seeds (optional)
• 1 tsp fine salt (6g)
• 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature (240g)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (113g)
• 2 large eggs, room temperature (112g)
• 2 Tbsp fresh lemon zest (from 2 large lemons) (6g)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g) – for filling
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar (100g)
• 2 Tbsp fresh lemon zest (from 2 large lemons) (6g)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (113g) – for filling
• 2 cups powdered sugar (250g) – for icing
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (60g) – for icing
• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted (28g) – for icing
• Fresh lemon zest for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 200°F (95°C). In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine 4 1/4 cups flour, yeast, poppy seeds (if using), and salt.
2. Step 2: In a separate bowl, mix together buttermilk, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and butter (cut into tablespoons). Heat in the microwave for 1 minute, stirring until mostly melted and warm but not hot.
3. Step 3: Slowly add the warm buttermilk mixture to the dry ingredients. Mix with a dough hook or by hand until sticky.
4. Step 4: Mix in eggs one at a time on medium-low speed until incorporated, then continue mixing until the dough is elastic. Mix in lemon zest.
5. Step 5: Add additional flour one tablespoon at a time until dough leaves the bowl sides and feels tacky but not sticky. Poke to test.
6. Step 6: Cover the dough and let rest for 10-20 minutes.
7. Step 7: Meanwhile, make the filling by mixing granulated sugar, brown sugar, and lemon zest. Massage zest into sugar to release oils, then whisk in softened butter.
8. Step 8: Roll dough on a floured surface into a roughly 12 x 18 inch rectangle, about 1/2 cm thick.
9. Step 9: Spread filling over the dough, leaving a 1/2 inch border on one long side.
10. Step 10: Roll dough tightly toward the uncovered side, then cut into 12 equal pieces using dental floss.
11. Step 11: Place rolls in a greased or parchment-lined 9×13-inch pan.
12. Step 12: Turn off the oven. Cover rolls with foil and place inside for 30 minutes to rise until puffed.
13. Step 13: Remove foil and turn oven to 350°F (175°C).
14. Step 14: Bake rolls for 28-32 minutes until golden brown.
15. Step 15: For icing, whisk powdered sugar, lemon juice, and melted butter until smooth.
16. Step 16: Let rolls cool 10-20 minutes, then spoon icing over them and garnish with fresh lemon zest.

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh lemons for the zest and juice to maximize bright citrus flavor.
• Substitute buttermilk with milk plus 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice if you don’t have buttermilk on hand.
• Add poppy seeds for a classic lemon-poppyseed combination, or omit if you prefer.
• Use dental floss to cut the rolls cleanly without squashing the dough.
• For extra lemon zing, add a teaspoon of lemon extract to the icing.

Storage

Store leftover lemon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat rolls gently in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5-10 minutes or microwave briefly to warm. Icing can be added fresh after reheating for best texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough the night before?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and let it rise slowly in the refrigerator overnight. Bring it to room temperature before rolling and shaping the next day.

What is the best way to cut the rolls evenly?

Using unflavored dental floss to slice through the dough roll helps create clean, even pieces without squashing or tearing the dough.

Lemon Rolls Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 121 reviews

These Lemon Rolls are a delightful sweet treat featuring a soft, buttery dough infused with fresh lemon zest and topped with a tangy lemon icing. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, these rolls combine a tender crumb with a vibrant citrus filling and a luscious glaze for a refreshing flavor experience.

• Author: liam
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 lemon rolls 1x
• Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Baked Goods
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough Ingredients

• 4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (530g), plus additional flour as needed
• 4 1/2 tsp (2 packets) instant dry yeast (14g, 1/2 oz.)
• 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp poppy seeds (optional)
• 1 tsp fine salt (6g)
• 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature (240g)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (113g), cut into Tbsp-sized pieces
• 2 large eggs, room temperature (112g)
• 2 Tbsp fresh lemon zest (from 2 large lemons) (6g)

Filling Ingredients

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

Icing Ingredients

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

Equipment

• 9x13-inch Pan
• Parchment Paper
• Stand Mixer with Dough Hook or Danish Dough Whisk
• Ruler
• Dental Floss

Instructions

1. Prepare Lemon Roll Dough: Preheat your oven to 200°F (95°C). In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine 4 1/4 cups flour, yeast, poppy seeds (if using), and salt. In a separate bowl, warm buttermilk, granulated sugar, and butter in the microwave for 1 minute until the butter mostly melts and mixture is warm but not hot. Pour the warm buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients and mix on medium speed with a dough hook or by hand until sticky.
2. Add Eggs and Lemon Zest: Incorporate the eggs one at a time on medium-low speed, mixing until fully combined. Continue mixing until the dough becomes elastic. Mix in the lemon zest on medium speed until incorporated.
3. Add Additional Flour: Add flour 1 Tbsp at a time while mixing until dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl but remains tacky. The dough should feel tacky but not sticky when poked with a finger.
4. Rest Dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a towel and let the dough rest for 10-20 minutes to relax and make rolling easier.
5. Make Filling: In a medium bowl, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, and lemon zest. Massage zest into sugars to release oils. Add softened butter and whisk to combine thoroughly.
6. Roll and Fill Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 12 x 18 inch rectangle about 1/2 cm thick. Spread the filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 1/2 inch strip uncovered on one long edge.
7. Form Rolls: Roll the dough tightly from the long side toward the uncovered strip. Use dental floss to cut into 12 equal pieces. Place rolls in a greased or lined 9×13-inch pan evenly spaced.
8. First Proof (Rising): Turn the oven OFF. Cover rolls with foil and place in the warm oven for 30 minutes to rise until puffed and increased in size.
9. Bake Rolls: Remove foil and turn oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls for 28-32 minutes or until golden brown.
10. Prepare Icing: Whisk powdered sugar, lemon juice, and melted butter together until smooth.
11. Cool and Ice Rolls: Let rolls cool for 10-20 minutes, then spoon icing over the top and garnish with fresh lemon zest.

Notes

• Ensure buttermilk mixture is warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
• Use dental floss to cut rolls cleanly without squashing them.
• Resting the dough makes it easier to roll out and handle.
• Covering the rolls during the first rise in the oven helps provide a warm environment for better proofing.
• Adjust flour quantity slightly depending on humidity and dough consistency.
• Poppy seeds are optional but add a nice texture and flavor contrast.
• Use fresh lemon zest and juice for the best citrus flavor.

Keywords: lemon rolls, sweet rolls, citrus rolls, baked lemon treats, breakfast rolls