Soft Fluffy Lemon Rolls (Printable)
Soft, fluffy rolls with fresh lemon zest and sweet-tart filling, topped with tangy lemon glaze.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Dough
01 - 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
04 - 1/2 tsp salt
05 - 3/4 cup whole milk, warmed
06 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
07 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
→ Lemon Filling
08 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
09 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
10 - Zest from 2 lemons
11 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
→ Lemon Glaze
12 - 1 cup powdered sugar
13 - 2-3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
14 - Zest from 1 lemon
# How To Make It:
01 - Combine warm milk with yeast and a pinch of sugar in a large bowl. Let stand 5–10 minutes until foamy.
02 - Add melted butter, eggs, remaining sugar, and salt to yeast mixture. Mix well. Gradually add flour, mixing until soft dough forms.
03 - Knead dough on lightly floured surface for 8–10 minutes until elastic and smooth. Alternatively, use stand mixer with dough hook for 5–6 minutes.
04 - Place dough in greased bowl, cover, and let rise in warm place for 1–1.5 hours until doubled in size.
05 - Mix softened butter, sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice until smooth and spreadable consistency.
06 - Roll risen dough on lightly floured surface into 16x12 inch rectangle.
07 - Spread lemon filling evenly over dough, leaving 1/2 inch border. Roll up tightly from longer side. Slice into 12 equal rolls.
08 - Arrange rolls in greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover and let rise 30 minutes.
09 - Preheat oven to 350°F.
10 - Bake 23–27 minutes until golden brown.
11 - Cool slightly. Whisk powdered sugar and lemon juice for glaze. Drizzle over warm rolls and garnish with lemon zest if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The lemon glaze transforms freshly baked rolls into something that tastes like sunshine on a plate
- They strike that perfect balance between dinner roll and dessert, so they work for brunch or an evening treat
02 -
- Warm milk should feel like bath temperature, hot enough to activate yeast but not kill it
- The dough will feel tacky after kneading, which is normal, do not keep adding flour or your rolls will be tough
03 -
- Zest your lemons before juicing them, it is much easier to hold and grate a whole lemon
- If your kitchen is cool, let dough rise in the oven with just the light on for gentle warmth