Description

Lemon Rolls with Lemon Curd are soft, fluffy rolls filled with creamy lemon curd bursting with fresh citrus flavor, perfect for breakfast, tea time, or any special occasion. Easy to make with pantry staples, these rolls deliver a refreshing balance of sweet and tart in every bite with a delightfully tender texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free option)
2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
¼ cup granulated sugar
¼ tsp salt
¾ cup whole milk, warmed (or plant-based milk for vegan)
5 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (or vegan butter for vegan)
1 large egg (or flax egg for vegan)

Lemon Curd Ingredients

½ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2–3 lemons)
¾ cup granulated sugar
3 large egg yolks
pinch of salt
5 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into pieces (or vegan butter)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Lemon Curd Whisk together fresh lemon juice, sugar, egg yolks, and a pinch of salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until the mixture thickens to a silky custard consistency. Remove from heat and stir in butter until smooth. Let the lemon curd cool to room temperature before using it to fill your rolls.
Step 2: Make the Dough Warm the milk and melt the butter to a cozy temperature, then combine with yeast and sugar to activate the yeast. In a large bowl, mix flour and salt, then add the wet ingredients along with the egg. Knead the mixture until smooth and elastic, then cover and let it rise until doubled in size—about 1 to 1.5 hours.
Step 3: Roll Out the Dough Once risen, punch down the dough gently and roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle. Spread a generous layer of the cooled lemon curd evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
Step 4: Roll and Cut Starting from one long side, carefully roll the dough into a tight log. Using a sharp knife, cut the log into even slices about 1.5 to 2 inches thick and arrange them in a greased baking dish with a bit of space between for final rising.
Step 5: Final Rise and Bake Let the rolls rise again until puffy, typically 30 to 45 minutes. Bake them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool slightly before serving, or top with icing or powdered sugar for a finishing touch.

Notes

Use Fresh Lemons: Freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest deliver the best bright, natural flavor in your curd.
Don’t Skip the Double Rise: Giving the dough enough time to rise twice ensures soft, fluffy rolls with great texture.
Keep the Lemon Curd Cool: Spread lemon curd that is not too warm to prevent it from melting into the dough unevenly.
Roll Tight, but Gently: Rolling the dough snugly helps maintain shape without squeezing out the curd.
Brush with Butter After Baking: Lightly brushing melted butter on hot rolls keeps them moist and adds richness.

Prep Time: 2 hours
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Appetizers
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 roll
Calories: 280
Sugar: 16g
Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 36g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 65mg

Keywords: lemon rolls, lemon curd, breakfast rolls, citrus rolls, lemon dessert, gluten-free baking, vegan options, sweet rolls