Frosted Lemon Rolls
Are you craving a sweet treat that’s bursting with flavor? Look no further than homemade lemon rolls! This classic bakery delight is surprisingly easy to make from scratch. With a soft, fluffy dough, tangy lemon filling, and creamy frosting, these rolls are the perfect treat for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
Our lemon roll recipe combines the rich aroma of lemon zest with the sweetness of brown sugar for an irresistible flavor combination. The dough is carefully crafted to achieve the perfect texture, while the frosting adds a final touch of decadence.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a kitchen novice, this recipe is designed to guide you through the process step-by-step. With a little patience and love, you’ll be enjoying homemade lemon rolls in no time.
So, why wait? Gather your ingredients and let’s get baking! Impress your family and friends with these delightful treats.
Questions I often get asked about this recipe:
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes, instant yeast can be used as a direct substitute for active dry yeast. The activation step can be skipped.
What temperature should the milk be for activating the yeast?
The milk should be warm to the touch, around 110°F (43°C). Too hot will kill the yeast.
Can I use a stand mixer to knead the dough?
Yes, a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment can be used to knead the dough.
Can I use lemon curd instead of making the filling from scratch?
Absolutely! Lemon curd can be a great shortcut.
Can I add more or less sugar to the filling?
Yes, you can adjust the sugar to your taste preference.
What you need to make Lemon Rolls:
For the dough:
1 cup warm milk
1 tsp sugar
2 tbsp sugar
2 large eggs
½ cup softened butter
½ tbsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp lemon zest
For the lemon filling:
½ cup softened butter
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
2 tbsp lemon zest
2 tbsp lemon juice
¼ cup heavy cream
For the frosting:
½ cup softened butter
2 cups powdered sugar
2-3 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla extract
How to make it:
Make the dough:
In a large bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, and a pinch of salt.
Add the foamy yeast mixture, eggs, softened butter, vanilla, and lemon zest to the dry ingredients. Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about 1-2 hours).
Make the lemon filling:
Cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Stir in the lemon zest and juice.
Assemble the rolls:
Punch down the risen dough and roll it out into a 12×15 inch rectangle.
Spread the lemon filling evenly over the dough.
Starting from one long side, tightly roll up the dough into a log.
Cut the log into 12 even slices.
Place the slices in a greased 9×13 inch baking pan.
Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for another 30 minutes.
Bake the rolls:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
Make the frosting:
Beat together softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
Gradually add lemon juice and vanilla extract until desired consistency.
Frost the rolls:
Let the rolls cool slightly before frosting.
Frost the warm rolls with the lemon frosting.
I sometimes garnish each rolls with a slice of lemon. Fancy!
Tips:
For extra flavor, add a tablespoon of lemon curd to the frosting.
If you prefer a sweeter filling, increase the amount of sugar in the filling.
For a richer flavor, use whole milk instead of skim milk.
Latest Reviews:
These lemon rolls are pure heaven! The dough is soft and fluffy, the filling is tangy and sweet, and the frosting is creamy perfection. A total crowd-pleaser! Simon J.
I followed this recipe to a T and the lemon rolls turned out amazing! The instructions were clear and easy to follow. My family devoured them in minutes. Terence W.
Best lemon rolls I’ve ever had! The combination of flavors is spot on. This recipe will definitely be a staple in my baking repertoire. Sheila S.
Printable Recipe:
Lemon Rolls
Lemon Rolls with Lemon Frosting
Ingredients
- For the dough:
- 1 cup warm milk
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
- 1 tsp sugar
- 4 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup softened butter
- ½ tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp lemon zest
- For the lemon filling:
- ½ cup softened butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- For the frosting:
- ½ cup softened butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Make the dough:
- In a large bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, and a pinch of salt.
- Add the foamy yeast mixture, eggs, softened butter, vanilla, and lemon zest to the dry ingredients. Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about 1-2 hours).
- Make the lemon filling:
- Cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Stir in the lemon zest and juice.
- Assemble the rolls:
- Punch down the risen dough and roll it out into a 12x15 inch rectangle.
- Spread the lemon filling evenly over the dough.
- Starting from one long side, tightly roll up the dough into a log.
- Cut the log into 12 even slices.
- Place the slices in a greased 9x13 inch baking pan.
- Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for another 30 minutes.
- Bake the rolls:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Make the frosting:
- Beat together softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Gradually add lemon juice and vanilla extract until desired consistency.
- Frost the rolls:
- Let the rolls cool slightly before frosting.
- Frost the warm rolls with the lemon frosting.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please share it on your social media! I would love for more people to try this delicious and easy-to-make recipe. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you! Shhh… Join our secret foodie group on Facebook
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