Description
Zesty lemon rolls bring Mediterranean sunshine to your breakfast table. Pillowy dough swirled with tangy lemon filling and topped with creamy glaze promises a delightful morning treat you’ll savor with pure joy.
Ingredients
Scale
Rolls:
Main Ingredients:
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 box lemon cake mix
- 2 packages rapid rise dry yeast
- 2 ½ cups (591 milliliters) very warm water
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Filling:
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup (227 grams) butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 grams) white sugar
- 1 package lemon flavor instant pudding mix
- Zest from 1 lemon
Frosting:
Main Ingredients:
- 1 package (8 ounces/226 grams) Philadelphia cream cheese, softened
- 3 ½ – 4 cups (402–460 grams) confectioners’ sugar
Additional Ingredients:
- ¼ cup (½ stick/57 grams) butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons pure lemon extract
- 3–5 tablespoons (45–75 milliliters) milk
Instructions
- Activate the yeast in warm water, ensuring it becomes frothy and alive. Incorporate lemon cake mix, salt, flour, and vanilla extract into the liquid, mixing thoroughly until a cohesive dough forms.
- Knead the dough gently, then allow it to rest and expand in a covered container. After the initial rise, deflate the dough and permit a second proofing period.
- Divide the dough into two equal portions. On a lightly dusted surface, stretch one section into a thin rectangular shape, approximately 1/4 inch thick.
- Generously spread softened butter across the rolled dough’s surface. Blend white sugar, lemon zest, and instant pudding mix to create a fragrant filling.
- Evenly distribute the sugar-zest mixture over the buttered dough. Roll the sheet tightly from the far edge toward yourself, creating a compact cylindrical shape.
- Slice the rolled dough into 12 uniform segments. Transfer these pinwheels into a prepared baking pan coated with non-stick spray. Repeat the process with the remaining dough.
- Allow the rolls to proof, expanding in volume. They should appear puffy and slightly increased in size.
- Heat the oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls until they develop a golden-brown complexion, approximately 15-25 minutes.
- While baking, whip cream cheese, butter, and lemon extract into a smooth mixture. Gradually integrate confectioners’ sugar, creating a luxurious frosting. Adjust consistency with milk as needed.
- Once baked, top the warm rolls with frosting. For a more defined layer, allow rolls to cool before applying.
- Refrigerate any remaining lemon rolls to maintain freshness and preserve their delicate texture.
Notes
- Soft, pillowy rolls bursting with bright, zesty lemon flavor that’ll make your taste buds dance with joy.
- Cake mix creates an incredible shortcut, transforming traditional roll-making into a quick and foolproof baking adventure.
- Rolling technique matters – use gentle pressure when forming the log to ensure even, perfectly shaped rolls every time.
- Room temperature ingredients guarantee smoother mixing and more consistent dough rising, leading to better texture.
- Cream cheese frosting can be adjusted for thickness by adding milk gradually, giving you complete control over the final glaze.
- Refrigeration helps preserve the rolls’ freshness and prevents cream cheese frosting from spoiling quickly.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 317
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 238 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 36 mg