Let me teach you how to make the softest, fluffiest lemon sweet rolls covered in a tangy lemon cream cheese frosting. These rolls use my quick sweet roll dough, which only requires 1 rise! You know what they say: when life gives you lemons, you should definitely make lemon sweet rolls.
This recipe is brought to you in partnership with Red Star Yeast.
If you are a yeast beginner, I have good news for you! These lemon sweet rolls use my quick-method sweet roll dough, which I tested extensively to create my easy cinnamon rolls. A typical homemade sweet roll recipe requires 2 rises. My favorite raspberry swirl sweet rolls require a first rise of about 1–2 hours, and then a second rise for another 2 hours. (But one bite of that fluffy dough and juicy filling and you’ll agree that the prep time is worth it!)
However, I have since developed a quicker dough recipe. A dough recipe with all the soft fluffiness you’re craving, but with only 1 rise time. Because of this shortcut, my homemade sweet roll dough is perfect for the baker who wants to learn how to work with yeast for the first time. Plus, it’s a perfect starting point for any sort of sweet roll you want to make… like blueberry sweet rolls or this giant cinnamon roll cake.
Here’s my #1 tip: I recommend using a strong and dependable yeast. Platinum Yeast from Red Star is a premium instant yeast, which cuts down on rise time. Its careful formula contains natural dough strengtheners and makes working with yeast simple. And simple is always good, right? See recipe Note if using active dry yeast instead.
The first step is to mix your dry ingredients together in a big bowl, and this includes the flour, sugar, and salt. After that, warm the milk and butter together, and then whisk in the yeast until it has dissolved. Then you know it can start working its magic in your dough! Pour this mixture over the dry ingredients, add the egg and then mix everything together. You do not need a stand mixer for this recipe, though you could certainly use one if desired.
Mix together the sugar, lemon zest, and vanilla in a small bowl. It will form a sandy mixture. The sugar will help the lemon zest excrete some liquid, so the mixture will be fairly moist. This lemon-sugar combo results in the most incredible caramelization on the bottoms of the rolls after baking!
Roll out the dough, spread with softened butter, and sprinkle the lemon-vanilla-sugar mixture all over the top.
Roll the dough up tightly, use a sharp knife to slice the log into 10–12 rolls, and arrange them in a lightly greased pan (I typically use a 9-inch pie dish sprayed with nonstick spray). Loosely cover the pan of lemon sweet rolls, and let rise for 60–90 minutes until about doubled in size.
Just wait till you smell them baking!
Beat the ingredients together with an electric mixer, then slather the icing all over the top of the baked rolls while they’re still warm. The creamy frosting will melt into each and every nook and cranny of these delicious lemon sweet rolls.
If you prefer a lighter topping, use the lemon glaze from my strawberry sweet rolls recipe instead.
See more sweet rolls recipes. I have plenty published like these pumpkin cinnamon rolls, birthday cake cinnamon rolls, and chocolate sweet rolls. But if you love lemon, these are a must make!
These soft and fluffy lemon sweet rolls are like a spring and summer version of classic cinnamon rolls. You'll love the caramelized lemon sugar inside and under the baked rolls! Covered in a simple lemon cream cheese frosting, these rolls use my quick sweet roll dough—only 1 rise.
