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Lemon Rolls with Lemon Glaze and Poppy Seeds Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 340 reviews

These delightful Lemon Rolls combine a soft, buttery yeast dough infused with fresh lemon zest and a flavorful lemon-sugar filling. Topped with a tangy lemon icing, these sweet rolls are perfect for an indulgent breakfast or dessert. The rolls are made by mixing the dough, resting it, filling with a zesty lemon butter mixture, allowing a warm oven rise, and finally baking to golden perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (530g), plus additional for dusting
  • 4 1/2 tsp (14g) instant dry yeast (2 packets)
  • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp poppy seeds (optional)
  • 1 tsp fine salt (6g)
  • 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature (240g)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (113g), cut into tablespoon pieces
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature (112g)
  • 2 Tbsp fresh lemon zest (from about 2 large lemons, 6g)

Filling Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar (100g)
  • 2 Tbsp fresh lemon zest (from about 2 large lemons, 6g)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (113g)

Icing Ingredients

  • 2 cups powdered sugar (250g)
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (60g)
  • 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted (28g)
  • Fresh lemon zest, for garnish

Tools and Equipment

  • 9 x 13-inch baking pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Stand mixer with dough hook or Danish dough whisk
  • Ruler
  • Dental floss (for slicing rolls)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Dry Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 200°F (95°C). In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, instant dry yeast, poppy seeds (if using), and salt.
  2. Warm Buttermilk Mixture: In a separate bowl, mix the buttermilk, granulated sugar, and butter cut into tablespoon-sized pieces. Microwave for 1 minute until the butter is mostly melted and the mixture feels warm but not hot to touch (to avoid killing the yeast).
  3. Mix Dough: Pour the warm buttermilk mixture slowly into the dry ingredients. Mix on medium speed with a dough hook or by hand with a dough whisk until the dough is sticky.
  4. Add Eggs and Lemon Zest: Mix in eggs one at a time on medium-low speed until fully incorporated. Continue mixing a few more minutes until the dough becomes elastic. Then mix in the lemon zest until evenly distributed.
  5. Add Additional Flour: Add flour 1 tablespoon at a time while mixing until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl but remains tacky (not sticky) to touch.
  6. Rest Dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a towel and let the dough rest for 10-20 minutes to relax and become easier to roll out.
  7. Prepare Filling: In a medium bowl, combine granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and lemon zest. Massage the zest into the sugars to release oils and aroma, then whisk in softened butter until well combined.
  8. Roll Out Dough: On a floured surface, roll the rested dough into a 12 x 18 inch rectangle about 1/2 cm thick.
  9. Spread Filling: Evenly spread the lemon filling over the dough, leaving about a 1/2 inch strip uncovered on one long edge to seal the roll.
  10. Form Rolls and Slice: Roll the dough horizontally toward the uncovered strip, sealing the edge tightly. Using dental floss, cut the roll into 12 equal pieces and place them cut side up into a greased or parchment-lined 9 x 13-inch pan.
  11. Warm Oven Rise: Turn the oven OFF and cover the rolls loosely with foil. Place them inside the warm oven for about 30 minutes to rise; rolls will puff and increase in size.
  12. Bake Rolls: Remove foil, turn oven ON to 350°F (175°C), and bake the rolls for 28-32 minutes until golden brown.
  13. Make Icing: While rolls cool for 10-20 minutes, whisk powdered sugar, lemon juice, and melted butter together until smooth.
  14. Ice and Garnish: Spoon the lemon icing over the warm rolls and garnish with fresh lemon zest. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • Make sure the buttermilk mixture is warm but not hot to preserve yeast activity.
  • Softened butter for filling should be easy to mix but not melted.
  • Use dental floss to slice rolls cleanly without squashing.
  • Warming the oven off with rolls inside provides a gentle, assisted rise.
  • Allow rolls to cool slightly before icing to avoid icing melting off completely.
  • Poppy seeds are optional but add a nice texture and subtle flavor.

Keywords: lemon rolls, lemon zest, yeast rolls, sweet rolls, lemon icing, breakfast pastry, homemade rolls, lemon sugar filling

Find it online: https://lucabites.com/lemon-rolls-with-lemon-glaze-and-poppy-seeds-recipe/