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lemon sweet roll with lemon cream cheese frosting

Lemon Sweet Rolls Recipe

Kara
With a sweet tart filling and mouthwatering lemon cream cheese frosting, these soft and fluffy lemon sweet rolls are hard to beat!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 25 minutes
Additional Time 25 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 50 minutes
Course Bread: Yeast Bread
Cuisine American
Servings 12 sweet rolls
Calories 379 kcal

Ingredients
  

Dough:

  • 1 cup warm milk
  • 3 Tbsp butter/ softened to room temperature
  • 1 Tbsp instant dry yeast
  • 2 Tbsp white granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour more or less

Filling:

  • cup salted butter melted
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 Tbsp lemon zest

Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 2 Tbsp salted butter softened to room temperature
  • 3 oz cream cheese softened to room temperature
  • dash salt
  • 1 Tbsp lemon zest
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice more or less as needed

Instructions
 

  • Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat, then add the milk. Heat until the milk is warm to the touch. (105°-115°) Pour into a large mixing bowl.
  • Add yeast, sugar, salt, egg, and half of the flour. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to make a dough that is soft.
  • Knead for about 3 minutes on a lightly floured surface. Place dough in a large bowl that has been sprayed with non stick spray. (I usually just scrape out the mixing bowl and re-use it.) Cover and let dough rise in a warm place till doubled, about an hour.
  • For filling: Melt the butter in a small bowl. Stir in the sugar and lemon zest.
  • On a lightly oiled countertop, use a rolling pin to roll dough out into an approximately 18x12-inch rectangle. Spread the filling in an even layer over the dough.
  • Roll the dough up lengthwise into a tight log and pinch the seam together to seal. Cut into slices using a piece of unflavored dental floss. Just wrap the floss under the dough, cross it over the top, and pull.
  • Place rolls in a greased 9x13" pan. Let rise till doubled, about 30-45 minutes.
  • Bake at 350° on a lower oven rack for about 25 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool for 25-30 minutes.
  • For frosting: Combine the softened butter and cream cheese in a medium bowl. Beat until smooth and creamy. Add salt, lemon zest, powdered sugar, and one tablespoon of the lemon juice. Beat until creamy, adding more lemon juice if needed.
  • Frost lemon rolls after they have cooled slightly.

Notes

  • Make sure the milk isn't hotter than 115 degrees, or it can kill the yeast.
  • For the second rise, I like to spray the plastic wrap with cooking spray before I cover the pan.
  • If you don't have dental floss or sturdy thread, you can carefully cut the rolls with a sharp serrated knife. Just be careful, they tend to get smashed flat.
  • You can skip the first rise if you are really in a hurry. Just let the dough rest for 10 minutes before rolling. They won't have quite the depth of flavor and fluffy texture, but they will still be amazing.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 379kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 5gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 308mgPotassium: 90mgFiber: 1gSugar: 36gVitamin A: 453IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 44mgIron: 2mg
Keyword lemon sweet rolls
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