Description: These Lemon Sweet Rolls are a delightful twist on the classic cinnamon roll, bursting with bright, citrusy flavor. Soft, fluffy dough is swirled with a sweet lemon filling and topped with a tangy lemon glaze, making them the perfect treat for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Vibrant Flavor: The combination of lemon zest, lemon extract (optional), and fresh lemon juice creates an irresistible citrus flavor that’s both refreshing and comforting.
- Soft and Fluffy Texture: The dough is perfectly tender and light, resulting in melt-in-your-mouth rolls that are a joy to eat.
- Easy to Make: While yeast dough might seem intimidating, this recipe is straightforward and yields consistently delicious results with clear, step-by-step instructions.
- Versatile Treat: Enjoy these rolls warm from the oven for a special breakfast, bring them to a brunch gathering, or serve them as a sweet ending to any meal.
- Perfect for Lemon Lovers: If you are passionate about the lemony flavors, the lemon zest, a touch of lemon extract and lemon juice is just what you need!
Introduction
There’s something inherently comforting about the aroma of freshly baked rolls wafting through the kitchen. These Lemon Sweet Rolls take that comforting feeling and elevate it with the bright, sunny flavor of lemons. Inspired by the classic cinnamon roll, this recipe replaces the traditional cinnamon filling with a vibrant lemon-infused mixture, resulting in a pastry that is both sweet and tangy.
The key to achieving that signature soft and fluffy texture lies in the yeast dough. Don’t be intimidated! This recipe guides you through the process, ensuring that your dough rises properly and becomes wonderfully tender. The filling is a simple combination of butter, sugar, and lemon zest, creating a burst of citrusy goodness in every bite. And to top it all off, a luscious lemon glaze adds the perfect finishing touch.
These Lemon Sweet Rolls are perfect for any occasion. Imagine waking up on a weekend morning to the smell of these rolls baking in the oven. Serve them warm with a cup of coffee or tea for a delightful breakfast or brunch. They’re also a crowd-pleasing dessert that will impress your friends and family.
This recipe allows you to experiment with citrus elements: you can explore other citrus zests like lime, orange, or grapefruit. Feel free to adjust the sweetness to suit your preferences, and enjoy the process of creating a delicious and memorable treat. Let’s embark on this baking adventure and bring a touch of sunshine to your kitchen with these irresistible Lemon Sweet Rolls!
Ingredients:
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- ½ cup warm milk (110°F/45°C)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract (optional)
- 2 large eggs
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Softened butter for spreading on the dough.
- Granulated sugar for sprinkling on the dough.
- ¾ cup powdered sugar (for icing)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (for icing)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (for icing)
Preparation:
Step 1: Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, active dry yeast, and granulated sugar. Stir gently to combine. Let this mixture sit for 5-10 minutes. You’ll know the yeast is active when it becomes frothy or foamy. This step is crucial for ensuring that your dough rises properly. If the yeast doesn’t foam, it may be expired and you’ll need to use fresh yeast. The temperature of the milk is important. It should be warm (around 110°F/45°C) but not too hot, as excessive heat can kill the yeast.
Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, lemon zest, vanilla extract, lemon extract (if using), and eggs. Whisk these ingredients together until they are well combined and smooth. The melted butter should be cooled slightly before adding it to the eggs to prevent them from cooking. The lemon zest adds a wonderful fragrance and citrus flavor to the dough, while the vanilla extract enhances the overall sweetness. If using lemon extract, it will intensify the lemon flavor even further, but it’s optional if you prefer a more subtle taste.
Step 3: Incorporate Yeast and Dry Ingredients: Add the frothy yeast mixture to the large bowl with the wet ingredients and stir to combine. Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the mixture. Mix until a dough begins to form. You can use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment or mix by hand. If mixing by hand, use a wooden spoon or spatula to combine the ingredients until a shaggy dough forms.
Step 4: Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for 6-8 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Kneading is essential for developing the gluten in the flour, which gives the rolls their soft and chewy texture. You can also knead the dough in a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment for the same amount of time. The dough should be slightly tacky but not sticky. If it’s too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
Step 5: First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, turning it to coat all sides. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size. The rising time will depend on the temperature of your kitchen. A warm environment will help the dough rise faster. You can place the bowl in a slightly warm oven (turned off) or on top of the refrigerator.
Step 6: Shape the Rolls: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Once the dough has doubled in size, gently punch it down to release the air. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll it out into a 12×18-inch rectangle.
Step 7: Add Filling and Roll Up: Spread softened butter evenly over the dough rectangle. Sprinkle granulated sugar and lemon zest evenly over the buttered dough. Starting from one of the long edges, tightly roll the dough into a log.
Step 8: Slice and Arrange: Using a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss, slice the dough log into 12 even rolls. Place the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 9: Second Rise: Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let the rolls rise for 30 minutes in a warm place. This second rise helps the rolls become even more fluffy and light.
Step 10: Bake: Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature of the rolls should reach 200-210°F (93-99°C). If the rolls are browning too quickly, you can loosely cover them with foil during the last few minutes of baking.
Step 11: Prepare the Glaze: While the rolls are baking, prepare the glaze. In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth. Add more lemon juice for a thinner glaze, or more powdered sugar for a thicker glaze.
Step 12: Glaze and Serve: Once the rolls are baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly in the baking dish. Drizzle the glaze evenly over the warm rolls. Serve immediately and enjoy!
COOKING Rating:
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve warm for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
- Enjoy with a cup of coffee, tea, or a glass of milk.
- Pair with fresh berries or whipped cream for an extra special treat.
- These rolls are perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Tips:
- Make sure your yeast is fresh for the best results.
- Use a kitchen scale to measure the flour accurately.
- Don’t over-knead the dough, as this can result in tough rolls.
- Allow the dough to rise in a warm place for optimal results.
- Adjust the sweetness and tanginess of the glaze to your liking.
- For a richer flavor, use brown butter in the filling.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 3 hours (includes rising time)
Nutritional Information:
- Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes.
- Calories: Approximately 300-350 per roll
- Protein: Approximately 5-7 grams per roll
- Sodium: Approximately 150-200 mg per roll
Conclusion
These Lemon Sweet Rolls are a delightful and flavorful twist on a classic pastry. The combination of soft, fluffy dough, a tangy lemon filling, and a sweet lemon glaze makes them an irresistible treat that will brighten any day. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe is sure to become a favorite. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy the sweet and citrusy goodness of these Lemon Sweet Rolls!
Questions and Answers:
Q1: Can I make these rolls ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! You can prepare the rolls up to the point of baking and store them in the refrigerator overnight. After shaping and placing the rolls in the baking dish, cover them tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. In the morning, remove the rolls from the refrigerator about an hour before baking to allow them to come to room temperature and rise slightly. Then, bake as directed in the recipe. You can also bake the rolls completely and freeze them for up to a month. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator and reheat them in a low oven before serving.
Q2: Can I use a different type of flour for this recipe?
A: While all-purpose flour is the recommended flour for this recipe, you can experiment with other types of flour. Bread flour will result in a chewier roll, while cake flour will produce a more delicate texture. If you’re using a different type of flour, you may need to adjust the amount of liquid in the recipe. Start with the recommended amount and add more if the dough seems too dry, or add more flour if the dough seems too wet.
Q3: I don’t have lemon extract. Can I still make these rolls?
A: Yes, you can definitely still make these rolls without lemon extract. The lemon zest and fresh lemon juice will provide plenty of lemon flavor. If you want to enhance the lemon flavor even further, you can add a few drops of lemon oil to the dough. Lemon oil is a concentrated flavor extract that can be found in most baking supply stores.
Q4: My dough isn’t rising. What am I doing wrong?
A: There are several reasons why your dough might not be rising. First, make sure your yeast is fresh and active. If the yeast doesn’t foam when you combine it with warm milk and sugar, it may be expired and you’ll need to use fresh yeast. Second, make sure the milk is warm (around 110°F/45°C) but not too hot, as excessive heat can kill the yeast. Third, make sure the room where you’re letting the dough rise is warm. A cold environment will slow down the rising process. You can place the bowl in a slightly warm oven (turned off) or on top of the refrigerator to create a warmer environment.
Q5: Can I add other ingredients to the filling?
A: Absolutely! You can customize the filling to your liking. Some delicious additions include blueberries, raspberries, chopped nuts (such as pecans or walnuts), or even a sprinkle of white chocolate chips. Just be sure not to add too many extra ingredients, as this can make the rolls heavy and prevent them from rising properly.
