The Best Sweet Lemon Rolls (with Lemon Cream Cheese Icing)

This Lemon Rolls recipe is a fun spring take on classic cinnamon rolls. This recipe for Meyer Lemon Sweet Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing features a lemony brioche dough topped with a delicious lemon cream cheese icing. The sweet, tangy taste of these lemon rolls is perfect for this time of year! Read on to learn how to make this easy lemon roll recipe, make ahead tips, and freezing instructions.

Creating This Lemon Rolls Recipe

Last week I had a few “I just had to” moments. First, I just had to buy 2 bags of Meyer Lemons when I saw them at the grocery store.

For those not familiar with Meyer Lemons, their defining characteristics are slightly rounder shape when compared with a regular lemon, a thin yellow-orange colored peel, and a sweeter taste than a traditional lemon.

They are thought to be a cross between an lemon and a mandarin. Can you see why I just had to buy them?

Then I saw this recipe for Sticky Lemon Rolls with Lemon Cream Cheese Glaze. Sort of like a spring time version of a cinnamon roll, but without the cinnamon.

Yeah, I had to make those. And then I remembered the Meyer Lemons and decided that not only was I going to make those rolls, but I was going to experiment with my new lemons.

I didn’t want the lemon rolls to be too sweet, so I included a bit of regular lemon zest and juice as well.

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What I Love About these Lemon Rolls

Just look at them. What isn’t to love?

I always make Cinnamon Rolls for Christmas Morning. It has been a family tradition for years. But, that’s the only time I make them from scratch so they’ve become completely associated with Christmas in our family.

I love that these Lemon Rolls are a fun, springtime take on a breakfast roll. They’re perfect for any spring special event, like a Mother’s Day Brunch. Or just because you feel like it!

This recipe for Meyer Lemon Sticky Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze has definitely earned a favored spot in our family!

Ingredients for Lemon Sweet Rolls

The lemon cinnamon rolls have three components: a lemon dough, lemon filling, and the lemony cream cheese icing. To make the entire recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:

For the Lemon Sticky Dough:

• Yeast
• Whole Milk
• Unsalted Butter
• Granulated Sugar
• Vanilla Bean and Vanilla Extract
• All-Purpose Flour
• Salt
• Ground Nutmeg and Ginger
• Zest from Meyer Lemons and Regular Lemons
• Eggs

For the Sweet Lemon Filling:

• Unsalted Butter
• Granulated Sugar
• Brown Sugar
• Nutmeg
• Ginger
• Zest from Meyer Lemons and Regular Lemons

For the Lemon Cream Cheese Icing:

• Cream Cheese
• Powdered Sugar
• Lemon Zest
• Vanilla Extract

For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.

How to Make Lemon Sweet Rolls

Making the lemon sweet rolls with cream cheese icing takes some time, but the process is very straightforward.

1. First, line a baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Then, make the dough: Combine the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and knead until an elastic, pliable, soft dough forms.
3. First rise: Spray the dough with non-stick spray (this prevents it from drying out) and cover the bowl with plastic wrap and a towel. Let the dough rinse in a warm place until doubled in size.
4. Prepare the filling: While the dough is rising, whisk together the lemon sugar filling.
5. After that, shape the rolls: On a floured surface, pat the dough out into a large rectangle.
6. Spread evenly with the softened butter, then sprinkle the lemon-sugar mixture over top.
7. Roll the dough up tightly, starting from the top long end. Cut the long dough roll into 12 even rolls, and place them, cut side up, into a prepared baking dish.
8. Second rise: Cover the rolls with a towel and let rise again until doubled in size.
9. Bake and ice: After the rolls have risen, bake until lightly golden brown. Immediately top the warm rolls with cream cheese icing.

New to baking with yeast? Check out my 5 Tips for Baking with Yeast for my tips to help you achieve the best results!

The above is simply a quick summary of this recipe. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.

Can I Use Regular Lemons in This Recipe?

Of course! If you don’t have any Meyer lemons on hand, you can make the lemon cinnamon rolls with regular lemons instead.

Can Lemon Rolls Be Prepared in Advance?

Yes, after the dough has risen the first time and been cut into rolls, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.

Then, the next morning when you’re ready to bake the cinnamon rolls, place the baking dish on the counter for one hour and then bake them as instructed.

You can also prepare the recipe the day before and store them unfrosted in an airtight container. Before serving, bring them to room temperature, then gently reheat them in a warm oven before frosting.

Do Lemon Rolls Freeze Well?

Freezing lemon rolls is a great way to keep this tasty recipe on hand for a later date. You can freeze them baked or unbaked. Here’s how to do it:

How to Freeze Unbaked Lemon Rolls

1. Prepare the recipe as instructed through the step that details how to roll and slice the dough.
2. Place the sliced lemon rolls in a freezer safe container with a lid. Transfer the container to the freezer and freeze until solid.
3. You can store the frozen rolls in the container in your freezer if you like, but I prefer to transfer them to a vacuum seal bag for maximum freshness. Store the rolls in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To bake the frozen lemon rolls: Remove the rolls from the freezer and thaw overnight in the refrigerator. In the morning, bring the rolls out of the fridge and transfer to you preferred baking dish. Cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap and let come to room temperature and rise until doubled in size (this is the second rise in the instructions). Bake and frost according to directions.

How to Freeze Baked Lemon Rolls

1. Prepare the recipe as instructed through the baking steps
2. Place the unfrosted, baked lemon rolls in a freezer safe container with a lid. Transfer the container to the freezer and freeze until solid.
3. Store the rolls in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Thawing and frosting the frozen, baked rolls: Remove the rolls from the freezer and thaw overnight on the counter. Transfer the thawed rolls to a baking dish and transfer to a warm oven to reheat. Alternatively, you can reheat the rolls one at a time in the microwave on partial power for 30-45 seconds each. After reheating the rolls, frost as instructed.

Tips for Making Lemon Rolls

• You can also prepare this recipe in the bowl of a stand mixer using the dough hook attachment.
• I actually made a double batch of the lemon sweet rolls and froze half of them to enjoy later on, something I will definitely be doing again.
• I recommend using full-fat, brick-style cream cheese to make the icing. It will result in a richer, thicker icing.
• Once baked and glazed, you can store the cinnamon rolls at room temperature for up to three days. Note that they dry out over time.

What to Serve with Lemon Sweet Rolls

These lemony rolls are a wonderful addition to a Mother’s Day brunch. Here are some of my suggestions for serving alongside this delicious treat:

• Hot cup of Tea or Coffee
• Arugula and Chive Baked Egg Cups
• Easy Peel Boiled Eggs
• Fresh Bacon (check this out: How to Bake Bacon)
• Citrus Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
• Crustless Broccoli Quiche

More Lemon Breakfast Recipes:

Looking for more tasty lemon recipes to try? Here are a few of my favorites:

Another favorite lemon breakfast recipe is this Blueberry Lemon Curd Coffee Cake. I love the bright flavors in the springtime!

This Lemon Blueberry Bread is studded with juicy blueberries and topped with a simple lemon drizzle. This is such a simple quick bread recipe!

I really enjoyed the texture that the shredded coconut combined with the poppy seeds offered in these Coconut Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins.

This Coconut Lemon Banana Bread is packed with tropical flavors that you’ll love!

Lemon Strawberry Scones can be enjoyed for breakfast, tea, or as a mid-day snack. So easy and delicious!

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Photography: photos taken in this post are by Rachael from Set the Table.