Easy Lemon Rolls- Sweet & Zesty Dessert Recipe

Craving a dessert that’s both comforting and bursting with bright flavor? These Easy Lemon Rolls are exactly what you need! Soft, pillowy rolls filled with a sweet lemon zest filling and topped with a luscious lemon glaze make for an irresistible treat that’s surprisingly simple to bake.

Ingredients

• For the Rolls:
• 1 cup warm milk (105-115°F)
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar, plus 1 teaspoon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 3 ½ – 4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• For the Lemon Filling:
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons lemon zest (from 2-3 lemons)
• For the Lemon Glaze:
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 3-4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine warm milk, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
2. Add the remaining ¼ cup granulated sugar, salt, egg, and melted butter to the yeast mixture. Whisk until well combined.
3. Gradually add 3 cups of flour, mixing with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead, adding more flour as needed (up to 1 cup more), until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning once to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
5. While the dough rises, prepare the filling: In a small bowl, cream together the softened butter, ¾ cup granulated sugar, and lemon zest until light and fluffy.
6. Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough into a large rectangle, about 12×18 inches.
7. Evenly spread the lemon filling over the entire surface of the dough, leaving a small border on one long edge.
8. Starting from the opposite long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seam closed to seal.
9. Using a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss, cut the log into 12 equal slices (about 1.5 inches thick).
10. Arrange the rolls in a lightly greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Cover loosely with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let rise again in a warm place for 30-45 minutes, or until puffy.
11. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
12. While the rolls are baking, prepare the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Adjust consistency with more sugar or juice as needed.
13. Once the rolls are out of the oven, let them cool slightly for 5-10 minutes. Drizzle generously with the lemon glaze and serve warm.