Delicious lemon-infused cinnamon rolls that are better than Cinnabon.

Prep Time
30min
Cook Time
25min
Total Time
55min
Lemon Cinnamon Rolls recipe

Ingredients

12 Servings
(1 serving = 1 roll)

For the Lemon Rolls

  • 300mL
    whole milk
  • 2 1/4tsp
    active dry yeast
  • 1tsp
    granulated white sugar
  • 593g
    all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2tsp
    salt
  • 25g
    granulated white sugar
  • 2
    eggs
  • 112g
    unsalted butter
  • 1/2tbsp
    vanilla
  • 20g
    lemon zest

For the Lemon Filling

  • 112g
    unsalted butter
  • 110g
    brown sugar
  • 100g
    granulated white sugar
  • 20g
    lemon zest
  • 30mL
    fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4tsp
    salt
  • 60mL
    heavy cream

For the Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 56g
    unsalted butter
  • 113g
    cream cheese
  • 97g
    powdered sugar
  • 5g
    lemon zest
  • 5g
    fresh lemon juice

How to make Lemon Cinnamon Rolls

Prepare the Dough

  1. Warm the milk to about 110 degrees.

  2. In a bowl, combine the warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let it bloom for about 5 minutes.

  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.

  4. Add the bloomed yeast mixture, sugar, eggs, softened butter, vanilla, and lemon zest to the flour.

  5. Mix until a dough forms, then knead until smooth.

  6. Let the dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Prepare the Filling

  1. In a bowl, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt until well combined.

Assemble the Rolls

  1. Roll out the dough on a floured surface into a rectangle.

  2. Spread the lemon filling evenly over the dough.

  3. Roll the dough tightly and cut into rolls.

  4. Place the rolls in a greased baking dish.

  5. Pour heavy cream over the rolls.

Bake the Rolls

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

  2. Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

Prepare the Frosting

  1. In a bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth.

  2. Gradually add powdered sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice, mixing until creamy.

Serve

  1. Spread the frosting over the warm rolls before serving.

Tips & Tricks

  1. Make sure the milk is not too hot when blooming the yeast.

  2. You can adjust the amount of lemon zest to your taste.

FAQS

  1. Can I use a different type of milk for the lemon cinnamon rolls?

    Yes, you can substitute whole milk with almond milk, oat milk, or any other milk of your choice. Just ensure it is warm when combining with the yeast.

  2. How can I tell if my yeast is active?

    You can check if your yeast is active by blooming it in warm milk with sugar. If it becomes frothy and bubbly after about 5 minutes, it is active and ready to use.

  3. Can I make the dough ahead of time?

    Yes, you can prepare the dough ahead of time. After kneading, let it rise, then cover it and refrigerate. When ready to bake, let it come to room temperature and rise again before rolling out.

  4. What can I use instead of cream cheese for the frosting?

    If you prefer a dairy-free option, you can use a vegan cream cheese alternative or a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and lemon juice.

  5. How do I store leftover lemon cinnamon rolls?

    Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. You can also freeze them for longer storage; just reheat before serving.

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