Lemon Sweet Rolls: 12 Amazing Bites

Name: Lemon Sweet Rolls: 12 Amazing Bites
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 2 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup warm milk (105-115°F); 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast; ½ cup granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon salt; 2 large eggs, room temperature; ½ cup unsalted butter, melted; 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting; For the Filling:; ½ cup unsalted butter, softened; ¾ cup granulated sugar; 2 tablespoons lemon zest; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; For the Glaze:; 1 ½ cups powdered sugar; 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 1-2 tablespoons milk

by Jannet Lisa

24 de August de 2025

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Lemon Sweet Rolls have a special place in my heart, and I’m so excited to share this recipe with you! I remember the first time I successfully made these, the entire house filled with the most incredible aroma of sweet, zesty lemon and warm dough. It was pure magic. These aren’t just any rolls; they’re incredibly soft, wonderfully fluffy, and bursting with that bright, tangy lemon flavor that just makes your taste buds sing. If you’re looking for an easy way to brighten your morning or impress guests, these easy Lemon Sweet Rolls are it. Let’s get baking!

Why You’ll Love This Lemon Sweet Rolls

Get ready to fall in love with these delightful rolls. Here’s why they’re a must-try:

Incredibly soft and fluffy texture every time.
Bright, tangy lemon flavor that’s perfectly balanced with sweetness.
They fill your kitchen with an irresistible aroma while baking.
This Homemade Lemon Sweet Rolls recipe is surprisingly simple to follow.
Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a special dessert.
The sweet lemon glaze adds an extra layer of deliciousness.
Enjoy a taste of sunshine with these delightful citrus sweet rolls.
Making Homemade Lemon Sweet Rolls has never been easier or more rewarding!

Ingredients for Homemade Lemon Sweet Rolls

Gathering the right Lemon Sweet Roll ingredients is the first step to baking perfection. You’ll need a few essentials for the dough, a simple yet flavorful filling, and a bright glaze. For the dough, we start with 1 cup warm milk (105-115°F), which is crucial for activating the yeast. Then, you’ll need 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast, ½ cup granulated sugar for sweetness, and 1 teaspoon salt to balance the flavors. Don’t forget 2 large eggs, room temperature, as they incorporate much better into the dough, and ½ cup unsalted butter, melted for richness, plus an extra ½ cup unsalted butter, softened for the filling. You’ll also need about 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting to get the perfect dough consistency.

For that signature tangy flavor, the filling is a simple mix of ¾ cup granulated sugar, the softened butter, and the stars of the show: 2 tablespoons lemon zest and 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice. The glaze is just as easy, requiring 1 ½ cups powdered sugar whisked with 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice and 1-2 tablespoons milk to reach your desired drizzling consistency.

How to Make Easy Lemon Sweet Rolls

Let’s dive into making these delightful rolls. This Lemon Sweet Roll Recipe is straightforward and yields amazing results every time!

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup warm milk (105-115°F) with 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast. Let this mixture stand for about 5-10 minutes until it gets nice and foamy. This shows your yeast is active and ready to work its magic.
Step 2: Stir in ½ cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 large eggs (room temperature is best!), and ½ cup melted unsalted butter into the foamy yeast mixture. Give it a good whisk until everything is well combined.
Step 3: Gradually add about 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour to the wet ingredients. Mix until a soft, slightly sticky dough begins to form. You might not need all the flour, so add it in stages.
Step 4: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead it for 8-10 minutes until it’s smooth, elastic, and feels wonderfully soft.
Step 5: Place the kneaded dough into a lightly greased bowl. Cover it with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
Step 6: Once doubled, gently punch down the dough. Roll it out on your floured surface into a large rectangle, about 12×18 inches.
Step 7: Spread ½ cup softened unsalted butter evenly over the entire surface of the dough. In a small bowl, mix ¾ cup granulated sugar with 2 tablespoons lemon zest and 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice. Sprinkle this tangy mixture evenly over the buttered dough.
Step 8: Starting from one of the long sides, roll up the dough tightly. Pinch the seam to seal it. Cut the log into 12 equal rolls using a sharp knife or dental floss.
Step 9: Arrange the cut rolls in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Cover the dish again and let the rolls rise for another 30-45 minutes until they look puffy.
Step 10: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) during the last few minutes of the second rise.
Step 11: Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes, or until they are beautifully golden brown and smell amazing.
Step 12: While the rolls are baking, prepare the glaze. Whisk together 1 ½ cups powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, and 1-2 tablespoons of milk until you have a smooth, drizzly consistency.
Step 13: Once the rolls are out of the oven, let them cool slightly before drizzling generously with the sweet lemon glaze. Enjoy this fantastic Lemon Sweet Roll Recipe!

Pro Tips for the Best Lemon Sweet Rolls

Want to elevate your baking game? Here are my top tips for making the absolute best Lemon Sweet Rolls:

Always use fresh, active yeast. If it doesn’t foam, your rolls might not rise properly.
Don’t skip the second rise! This is crucial for achieving those wonderfully fluffy Lemon Sweet Rolls.
For a more intense lemon flavor, add a touch more zest to the filling or glaze.
Using dental floss or a serrated knife to cut the rolls ensures clean edges and helps them keep their shape.

What’s the secret to perfect Lemon Sweet Rolls?

The secret is in the panade – soaking the breadcrumbs in milk, though in this recipe, the warm milk and yeast do a similar job. Ensuring a good, long rise also guarantees wonderfully soft Lemon Sweet Rolls.

Can I make Lemon Sweet Rolls ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the rolls, place them in the baking dish, cover them tightly, and refrigerate them overnight. Bake them directly from the fridge, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

How do I avoid common mistakes with Lemon Sweet Rolls?

A common issue is ending up with flat rolls. This often happens if your yeast isn’t active or the dough hasn’t risen enough. Make sure your milk is warm, not hot, and give the dough ample time in a warm spot to rise fully. For more baking tips, check out these focaccia bread secrets and recipes.

Best Ways to Serve Lemon Sweet Rolls

These beautiful Lemon Glazed Sweet Rolls are a treat any time of day. For a perfect breakfast or brunch, I love pairing them with a steaming mug of strong coffee or a soothing cup of herbal tea. The bright, citrusy notes of the rolls cut through the richness of the coffee beautifully. They also make a wonderful afternoon pick-me-up served alongside a glass of cold milk. For a more decadent dessert experience, try serving them warm with a scoop of classic vanilla ice cream – the contrast of warm, gooey roll and cool, creamy ice cream is divine!

Nutrition Facts for Lemon Sweet Rolls

Here’s a breakdown of the estimated nutritional information for these delightful rolls, serving as a helpful guide:

Calories: 350 kcal
Fat: 15 g
Saturated Fat: 9 g
Protein: 6 g
Carbohydrates: 50 g
Fiber: 2 g
Sugar: 30 g
Sodium: 250 mg

Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients used and portion sizes.

Lemon Sweet Rolls: 12 Amazing Bites - Lemon Sweet Rolls - additional detail

How to Store and Reheat Lemon Sweet Rolls

Once these delightful rolls have cooled, it’s important to store them properly to keep them fresh and delicious. For short-term storage, place the completely cooled Lemon Sweet Rolls in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. They’ll stay wonderfully fresh in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days. If you want to enjoy these sweet treats for longer, freezing is your best bet! Wrap each roll individually in plastic wrap, then in foil, and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They can be kept frozen for up to 3 months, making it easy to have homemade goodness on hand. To reheat, you can gently warm them in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5-10 minutes or microwave them for 15-20 seconds for a quick refresh, ensuring your keeping Lemon Sweet Rolls fresh is simple and effective.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lemon Sweet Rolls

What are Lemon Sweet Rolls?

Lemon Sweet Rolls are delightful, cinnamon-roll-style pastries filled with a sweet, tangy lemon mixture and topped with a zesty lemon glaze. They’re essentially a bright, citrus-infused twist on the classic cinnamon roll, offering a burst of sunshine in every bite. They’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet afternoon treat!

How to make Lemon Sweet Rolls?

Making these Lemon Sweet Rolls involves a few key steps: first, you’ll prepare a soft, enriched dough by activating yeast, mixing in wet and dry ingredients, and kneading until smooth. After a first rise, you’ll roll out the dough, spread it with a buttery lemon filling, and roll it up tightly. Cut into individual rolls, let them have a second rise, then bake until golden. Finally, a simple lemon glaze is drizzled over the warm rolls. It’s a rewarding process that results in incredibly tangy Lemon Sweet Rolls.

Why are my Lemon Sweet Rolls flat?

Flat Lemon Sweet Rolls usually happen for a couple of reasons. The most common culprit is inactive yeast – if your yeast didn’t foam up when mixed with warm milk, it won’t make the dough rise. Another reason is not allowing the dough enough time to rise properly in a warm environment. Make sure your milk is warm, not hot, and give the dough the time it needs to double in size after both rises. For more baking tips, consider exploring apple cider donut cake recipes for inspiration.

Can I add poppy seeds to my Lemon Sweet Rolls?

Absolutely! For a lovely texture and flavor variation, consider adding 1-2 tablespoons of poppy seeds to the lemon filling mixture. This creates delicious Lemon Poppy Seed Sweet Rolls, adding a subtle crunch and nutty undertone that complements the tangy lemon beautifully.

Variations of Lemon Sweet Rolls You Can Try

Once you’ve mastered the basic Lemon Sweet Rolls, get ready to play with flavors! For a delightful twist, try making Lemon Poppy Seed Sweet Rolls by adding 2 tablespoons of poppy seeds to the filling mixture. The little seeds add a wonderful texture and a slightly nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the tart lemon. If you’re looking for a lighter, quicker option, consider baking them in an air fryer on a medium heat setting until golden brown and fluffy. For a dairy-free version, simply swap the milk for a plant-based alternative like almond or soy milk, and use vegan butter for the filling and dough. These variations keep things exciting, offering new ways to enjoy these delightful citrus sweet rolls. You might also enjoy trying churro saltine toffee for another sweet treat.