Lemon Sweet Rolls

Soft, fluffy, and topped with a thick and creamy citrus frosting, these Lemon Sweet Rolls are an irresistible treat for breakfast or dessert. They’re packed with a delicious lemon filling that makes these rolls a decadent way to start or end your day. They’re also perfect for brunch or an afternoon snack!

There’s nothing more comforting than the smell of fresh bread baking in the oven, and here, these homemade Lemon Sweet Rolls are a delicious treat any time of day. Deliciously flavored with a tangy citrus zest that also adds brightness to the gooey cream cheese frosting, these Lemon Rolls are pure comfort food.

I use a few prepared shortcuts to make these Lemon Sweet Rolls even more lemony: a lemon boxed cake mix and lemon pudding contribute to their enticing taste and texture. You’ll be amazed at the softness, fluffiness, and citrus flavor that comes through.

Homemade bread is always a family favorite, and here, you’ll definitely need to set aside a little time so that these Lemon Sweet Rolls bake up tender, fragrant, warm, and soft. That means there’s some time involved for the dough to rise. This baking project is worth it, though, when you take that first bite! These lemony rolls are full of delicious sweetness mingled with a boost of brightness from the creamy filling and lemon zest that makes them totally swoon-worthy!

Ingredients Needed

For The Dough
Lemon cake mix – adds a distinct lemon flavor to the dough
Fast-rise dry yeast – also known as instant yeast
Warm water – to mix with the instant yeast
Vanilla extract – to flavor the rolls
Kosher salt – to enhance the flavor of the dough
Flour – use your favorite brand of all-purpose flour

For The Lemon Zest Filling
Butter – use unsalted and set it out to soften
Sugar – use white granulated
Lemon zest – use a large lemon so you get the most zest
Instant lemon pudding mix – helps make the filling extra lemony and thick

For The Lemon Frosting
Cream cheese – set it out to softened
Butter – use unsalted and set it out to soften
Lemon extract – for flavor
Powdered sugar – sweetener
Whole milk – to help thin the frosting while keeping it creamy

How To Make Lemon Sweet Rolls

Note: This is a general overview of the steps. The full recipe with complete instructions is included in the recipe card down below.

STEP 1: Mix the dough using a stand mixer with the hook attachment. Start with the cake mix, salt, and flour before adding the vanilla and prepared yeast mixture.
STEP 2: Let the dough rise and double in size by covering the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and placing it in a warm area for 60 minutes.
STEP 3: Punch the dough down a few times and cover tightly again, allowing it to rise and double in size for another 60 minutes.
STEP 4: Make the lemon filling with the sugar, lemon zest, and lemon pudding and set aside.
STEP 5: Cut the dough in half and roll each section into a rectangle. Brush the dough with butter before sprinkling on half of the lemon zest filling.
STEP 6: Roll the dough into a tight log and cut the log into equal-sized pieces.
STEP 7: Place the rolls in a greased baking dish, cover them with plastic wrap, and allow the rolls to rise and double in size for 45-60 minutes.
STEP 8: Repeat the steps with the second half of the dough.
STEP 9: Bake the rolls in a preheated 350-degree F oven for 20-25 or until lightly brown.
STEP 10: Using the standing mixer, cream together the ingredients for the lemon frosting.
STEP 11: Once the rolls are finished baking, allow them to cool just a bit before spreading the lemon frosting evenly over the rolls.

Do I Need To Use A Stand Mixer And Dough Hook?

I would recommend that you do. The dough hook will do all of the heavy work for you as far as mixing and kneading the dough. You could do it by hand, but keep in mind that will add more time and physical effort than you might want to spend. That’s why I love time-saving appliances!

What Kind Of Yeast Should I Use?

This recipe calls for two packets of instant yeast, also called fast-rise dry yeast. All you need to do is mix it with warm water in order for it to activate before adding it to the dough mixture.

Best Way To Slice The Dough Log

I like to use unflavored dental floss to easily slice through the dough log. It just makes a super clean cut. However, if you don’t have dental floss, use a very sharp knife, and use a damp paper towel to wipe it off after each cut. That way, the knife will slice cleanly without pulling at the dough.

Variations

Citrus
If you’re a lemon lover, you’ll definitely want to make this recipe as-is. However, there are other citrus flavors and fruits that will work equally well with the recipe. Just swap out lemon zest for any of these citrus ideas:

• Lime – use a yellow cake mix and vanilla pudding, but use lime zest and lime extract
• Orange – use an orange cake mix with lemon or vanilla pudding, but use orange zest and orange extract

Blueberries
If you love the combo of lemon and blueberries, make the recipe as-is, but when you’re sprinkling the lemon zest filling over the dough, add a smattering of fresh blueberries. They will bake up and burst within the rolls and add a scrumptious flavor to these lemon-sweet rolls.

Storage

Because of the cream cheese, I suggest storing leftovers, tightly covered, in the fridge for up to 4 days. They’re delicious cold, but you can also warm the rolls up in the microwave in increments of 10 seconds until your desired temperature is reached.

More Delicious Sweet Roll Recipes

Eggnog Cinnamon Rolls
Pie Crust Cinnamon Rolls
Best Blueberry Sweet Rolls
Valentine’s Heart Cinnamon Rolls
Cinnamon Rolls

Nettie is a wife and mother who is passionate about cooking and baking. With 5 children, Nettie insists that all meals, snacks, and desserts come together quickly! You will find a wide variety of easy yet scrumptious recipes on her viral website Moore or Less Cooking

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