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The Best Fluffy Lemon Sweet Rolls Recipe

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4.1 from 9 reviews

  • Author: Emma
  • Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings

Description

These Best Fluffy Lemon Sweet Rolls are soft, tender, and bursting with fresh lemon flavor. Enriched with cream cheese lemon icing, these sweet rolls are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Made with a yeasted dough and filled with a zesty lemon sugar mixture, they bake up golden and fluffy, then topped off with a silky smooth lemon cream cheese frosting for an irresistible treat.

Ingredients

Dough

  • 1 cup whole milk, warmed to about 115-120°F
  • ½ cup granulated sugar, divided
  • 1 package (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
  • Zest of 1 lemon, about 1 tablespoon
  • 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more as needed
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Filling

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • Zest of 1 lemon, about 1 tablespoon
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened

Lemon Cream Cheese Icing

  • 4 ounces cream cheese (brick-style), softened
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup whole milk
  • Zest of 1 lemon, about 1 tablespoon

Instructions

  1. Make the dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer or a large bowl if mixing by hand, combine warm milk with 2 tablespoons of sugar. Sprinkle yeast on top and stir. Let sit for 10-15 minutes until foamy to activate the yeast.
  2. Add remaining ingredients: Once yeasty mixture is foamy, add remaining sugar, eggs, melted butter, vanilla bean paste, lemon zest, flour, and salt to the bowl.
  3. Knead the dough: Using a dough hook on low speed, mix until dough comes together (1-2 minutes), then knead on medium speed until smooth and elastic (5-6 minutes). If kneading by hand, knead 10 minutes on a lightly floured surface, adding extra flour sparingly if dough is too sticky.
  4. First rise: Shape dough into a ball, place in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap or towel, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 ½ hours.
  5. Prepare filling: In a medium bowl, combine granulated sugar, lemon zest, and salt. Rub together with fingers until well blended and fragrant.
  6. Roll and fill dough: After rising, punch down dough and roll it on a floured surface into a 20 x 10 inch rectangle. Spread softened butter over the dough, leaving edges free. Sprinkle the lemon sugar filling evenly over the butter.
  7. Shape rolls: Roll dough tightly from the long edge, seam side down. Pinch to seal edges. Trim ends if desired for even rolls. Cut into 12 equal pieces using a sharp knife or dental floss.
  8. Prepare for second rise: Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper and arrange rolls spaced apart. Cover loosely and let rest while oven preheats to 350°F, allowing rolls to puff up.
  9. Bake rolls: Remove covering and bake rolls for about 30 minutes or until lightly golden on top.
  10. Make lemon cream cheese icing: Beat cream cheese and softened butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and mix until combined. Stream in milk and lemon zest, continue beating until smooth and lump-free.
  11. Serve: Spread cream cheese icing over warm rolls after baking. Optionally garnish with extra lemon zest. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Use room temperature ingredients where possible for best dough consistency and yeast activation.
  • If dough feels very sticky, add flour by the tablespoon to prevent over-drying.
  • Ensure milk is warmed properly – too hot will kill yeast, too cool won’t activate it well.
  • Cut rolls evenly for consistent baking.
  • These rolls are best served fresh, but can be warmed gently for re-serving.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://myeasyplate.com/the-best-fluffy-lemon-sweet-rolls-recipe/