Description
Zesty lemon rolls dance with tangy cream cheese glaze, promising a citrusy symphony of flavors. Bakers can savor these irresistible treats that blend sweet comfort with bright Mediterranean sunshine, inviting you to indulge in pure lemony bliss.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tbsp lemon zest
Filling Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup butter
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp lemon zest
Glaze Ingredients:
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Activate yeast in warm milk, letting it foam for 5-10 minutes to ensure proper fermentation.
- Combine flour, sugar, salt, and lemon zest in a large mixing bowl, creating a dry ingredient base.
- Incorporate softened butter and eggs into the milk-yeast mixture, whisking until smooth and well-blended.
- Gradually fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients, kneading into a soft, elastic dough that pulls away from bowl sides.
- Cover dough and let rise in a warm environment for approximately 1 hour, or until doubled in volume.
- Roll out dough into a rectangular shape, ensuring an even thickness of about 1/4 inch.
- Spread melted butter across dough surface, then sprinkle with sugar and lemon zest for filling.
- Carefully roll dough from long edge, creating a tight log, then slice into 12 even rolls.
- Place rolls in a greased baking pan, allowing slight separation for expansion, and let rise again for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375°F and bake rolls for 18-22 minutes until golden brown and fragrant.
- While cooling, whip cream cheese until smooth, then incorporate powdered sugar, lemon juice, zest, and vanilla.
- Drizzle warm lemon cream cheese glaze over rolls immediately after removing from oven.
- Allow rolls to rest for 10 minutes before serving to let glaze set and flavors meld.
Notes
- Activate yeast precisely in warm milk (110-115°F) to guarantee perfect rising and avoid killing the yeast with excessive heat.
- Ensure dough consistency by adding flour gradually, stopping when it becomes soft and slightly tacky without sticking excessively to hands.
- Use fresh lemon zest for maximum citrus flavor, grating only the bright yellow part of the peel to prevent bitter undertones from white pith.
- Customize rolls for dietary needs by substituting gluten-free flour blend and dairy-free butter for alternative versions without compromising texture.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18-22 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg