Best Lemon Sweet Rolls Recipes

LEMON SWEET ROLLS WITH CREAM CHEESE ICING

Steps:

• Make the dough: Combine the yeast, buttermilk and 1 tablespoon sugar and let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.
• Add the butter, remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, lemon zest, salt and cardamom to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and mix on low to combine. Add the eggs and buttermilk mixture, and stir until combined.
• With the mixer on low speed, slowly add 4 cups/510 grams of the flour and stir until all of the flour is moistened. Switch to the dough hook, and mix for 5 more minutes. The dough will be soft and billowy, and it will stick to the bottom of the bowl. Add more flour if the dough seems very, very soft.
• Transfer the dough to a fresh, lightly oiled bowl. Turn the dough to coat it with oil, then cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 hour. Alternately, refrigerate the dough before rising for up to 24 hours and proceed with the recipe as written. The rolls may need a slightly longer second rise.
• Make the filling: Combine the sugar, lemon zest, cardamom and a pinch of salt. Use your fingers to rub the lemon zest into the sugar.
• Assemble the rolls: Line a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and butter the pan and paper. Gently deflate the dough by folding it over itself a few times in the bowl. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and pat or roll it into a rectangle about 12-by-16-inches and 1/4-inch thick. Gently spread the soft butter over the dough, and sprinkle the sugar mixture evenly over the top. Roll the dough into a tight log and use a serrated knife or length of floss to cut the log into 12 even pieces.
• Place the rolls into the prepared pan, cover, and let rise again until doubled in size, about 1 hour. You can also refrigerate the rolls before the second rise for up to 24 hours, if you'd like to bake them later. Let the rolls rise at room temperature until doubled in size before baking.
• Finish the rolls: Heat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the rolls are golden and cooked through. While the rolls are baking, make the icing: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. The icing should be quite thick, but spreadable. Add a little more lemon juice if necessary.
• Let the rolls cool for about 5 minutes, then spread the icing over the top. Enjoy warm.

LEMON SWEET ROLLS

Steps:

• Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with unsalted butter. Set aside.
• For the dough: Combine the milk, butter and 1 tablespoon of the sugar in a small saucepan and heat until the butter melts and the mixture's between 105 degrees F and 115 degrees F on an instant read thermometer. Whisk in the yeast and let stand until the top is foamy, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl. Whisk in the eggs and remaining sugar and set aside. Combine the flour and kosher salt in the bowl of a heavy stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. Mix on low speed until combined, about 1 minute. Turn the mixer to medium speed and add the yeast mixture. Continue to mix until the dough comes together in a ball and is smooth and no longer sticky, about 13 minutes.
• Coat a large bowl with cooking spray. Transfer the dough to the bowl and cover with a kitchen towel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Punch the dough down and turn out onto a lightly floured work surface. Roll the dough out to a 20-by-12-inch rectangle with the longer side parallel to you.
• For the filling: Combine the lemon zest and juice in a medium bowl. Add the granulated sugar. Use your hands to rub the zest into the sugar and lemon juice.
• Spread the softened stick of butter evenly over the dough. Sprinkle the lemon-sugar mixture evenly over the butter.
• Starting at the bottom, tightly roll the dough up into a long log. Cut the log into 15 (about 1-1/2 inches-wide) crosswise pieces with a serrated knife or dental floss. Arrange the rolls cut-side-up in the prepared baking dish. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rest in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• About 30 minutes before the second rising time is done, adjust an oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Once ready, uncover the rolls and bake until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.
• While the rolls bake, make the frosting: Beat the butter and cream cheese with the paddle attachment in the bowl of a stand mixer until fluffy and smooth. Add the lemon juice and vanilla. Sift the powdered sugar into the bowl, add the salt and beat until combined. Add the poppy seeds, and beat until smooth, about 10 seconds. While the rolls are still warm, spread the tops with the frosting. Serve warm (see Cook's Note).