Soft and Gooey Lemon Rolls with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

If you’ve never had a lemon roll before, prepare to fall in love. These soft and fluffy lemon rolls are inspired by classic cinnamon rolls—but instead of warm spice, they’re filled with bright, sunny lemon flavor. From the gooey lemon sugar filling to the rich cream cheese frosting infused with lemon zest and juice, every layer is packed with zingy, sweet-tart deliciousness.

Think of them as cinnamon rolls’ refreshing citrus cousin. The same tender dough and swirled center, but bursting with citrus instead of spice. They’re perfect for spring brunches, summer mornings, or whenever you want something sweet and cheerful on the table. Whether you’re serving them warm from the oven for guests or sneaking one with your morning coffee, lemon rolls are comfort food with a twist.

The soft dough is easy to work with and turns out incredibly fluffy thanks to the enriched ingredients. The filling melts into a citrusy syrup as it bakes, soaking the rolls with flavor. And the frosting? Tangy, sweet, and irresistible. These rolls feel special, yet approachable. And once you try them, you’ll be hooked.

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Why You’ll Love These Lemon Rolls

• Bright, Tangy Flavor: Real lemon juice and zest in the filling and frosting create bold, citrusy layers in every bite.
• Soft, Pillowy Texture: The dough is enriched with butter and eggs, making the rolls tender and cloud-like.
• Perfectly Sweet and Tart: The balance of lemon and sugar makes these rolls refreshing and indulgent at the same time.
• Easy to Prep Ahead: You can assemble the rolls the night before and bake them fresh in the morning.
• Versatile and Impressive: These rolls are perfect for brunch, dessert, gifts, or potlucks.

Ingredients You’ll Need (and Why)

For the Dough:

• Whole milk – Warmed slightly to activate the yeast, and adds moisture and tenderness to the dough.
• Active dry yeast – Helps the rolls rise, giving them a soft, airy texture.
• Granulated sugar – Feeds the yeast and lightly sweetens the dough for a balanced flavor.
• Eggs – Provide structure and richness, making the dough elastic and soft.
• Unsalted butter – Melted into the dough for a buttery texture and flavor.
• Vanilla extract – Adds depth to the dough and enhances the sweetness.
• All-purpose flour – The main structure of the dough, strong enough to hold shape but soft enough to keep things light.
• Salt – Balances the sweet and enhances all the other flavors.

For the Lemon Filling:

• Unsalted butter – Spread over the rolled dough to create a rich, gooey filling.
• Granulated sugar – Melts with the butter to create the syrupy texture inside the rolls.
• Fresh lemon zest – Provides intense citrus flavor without adding moisture.
• Fresh lemon juice – Infuses the filling with bright tartness and creates a lemon syrup when baked.

For the Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting:

• Cream cheese – The base of the frosting; tangy, creamy, and balances the sweet rolls.
• Unsalted butter – Helps soften and smooth the frosting.
• Powdered sugar – Sweetens and thickens the frosting into a spreadable consistency.
• Lemon juice – Adds a burst of fresh citrus that matches the filling.
• Lemon zest – Enhances the lemon flavor and adds tiny specks of color.
• Vanilla extract – Rounds out the sweetness and adds warmth.
• Salt – A pinch keeps the frosting from being cloying and sharpens the lemon notes.

How to Make These Lemon Rolls

Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Warm the milk and add the yeast and a spoonful of sugar. Let it sit until foamy. This means the yeast is alive and active. Next, mix in the remaining sugar, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla. Stir in the flour and salt and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Step 2: Let the Dough Rise
Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled. This can take about an hour depending on your kitchen temperature.

Step 3: Make the Lemon Filling
In a bowl, combine softened butter, sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice. This creates a rich paste that will melt into a sticky lemon syrup inside the rolls as they bake.

Step 4: Roll Out and Fill the Dough
Punch down the dough and roll it into a large rectangle. Spread the lemon filling all over, edge to edge. Roll it up tightly and slice into even rolls.

Step 5: Second Rise
Place the rolls in a greased baking dish. Cover and let rise again until puffy. You can also cover and refrigerate them at this point to bake fresh in the morning.

Step 6: Bake
Bake the rolls until golden and baked through, but still soft. Don’t overbake—you want that gooey center!

Step 7: Make the Frosting
Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, lemon juice, zest, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Mix until light and spreadable.

Step 8: Frost and Serve
Let the rolls cool slightly before spreading the frosting on top. The frosting will melt into the warm rolls, making them extra gooey and irresistible.

Tips for Success

• Use fresh lemons for the best flavor—bottled lemon juice won’t give the same zing.
• Make sure your yeast foams before continuing; if it doesn’t, start over with new yeast.
• Let the rolls cool slightly before frosting—this way the frosting melts just enough without sliding off.
• For sharp, neat slices, use dental floss instead of a knife to cut your rolls.
• Want to save time? Make the dough the night before and bake in the morning.

Storage Instructions

Store leftover lemon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day, or refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or a low oven to restore their soft, gooey texture.

You can freeze unfrosted rolls for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm and frost before serving.

To prep ahead, refrigerate the shaped rolls in the pan before the second rise. Let them sit at room temperature for 30–60 minutes in the morning before baking.

Enjoy!

These lemon rolls are warm, gooey, tangy, and sweet—all at once. The tender dough melts in your mouth, the lemon sugar filling adds a zingy surprise, and the lemon cream cheese frosting ties it all together with creamy, citrusy goodness. Once you serve them, don’t expect leftovers—they’re that good.