Lemon Sweet Rolls

Published: Jun 27, 2025 by Jocelyn · As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links · 54 Comments

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Start your morning with these soft and fluffy Lemon Sweet Rolls! They’re filled with a creamy lemon cream cheese filling and topped with a sweet lemon glaze. The best part? You can have them baked and ready in under an hour.

A lemon roll filled with a lemon cream cheese center.

The post and recipe for lemon rolls were first published in March 2015. It was updated and republished in June 2025.

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Lemon Cheesecake Rolls
Why I Love This Recipe
Main Ingredients
How To Make Lemon Sweet Rolls
Storage Recommendations
BruCrew Tips
FAQs
More No Yeast Rolls
Recipe

Lemon Cheesecake Rolls

I love making and eating homemade cinnamon rolls, but I don’t always enjoy the dough process. If you feel the same, you’re in luck. These lemon rolls are quick, easy, and totally worth waking up for.

I’ve been making no-yeast rolls for years, and they’re great for busy mornings. No waiting around for dough to rise, and they still come out soft, fluffy, and delicious every time. A few of our favorites are banana cinnamon rolls and orange sweet rolls.

These lemon sweet rolls are based on the same idea, but with a sunny twist. Instead of cinnamon and sugar, the centers are filled with a rich lemon cream cheese filling that melts into the dough as they bake.

Why I Love This Recipe

No Special Tools or Ingredients: The dough is made without eggs or yeast, and you don’t have to wait for it to rise. Just grab a bowl and a fork and start mixing.
Fresh Lemon Flavor: The tangy lemon adds a burst of sunshine to every bite. It’s sweet, tart, and refreshing, especially in warmer months.
Perfect for Spring and Summer: These sweet, citrusy rolls are perfect for brunch, baby showers, and holidays. Or enjoy them on a lazy weekend morning.

Main Ingredients

The dough and filling for these lemon rolls can be prepared quickly using basic ingredients that you probably already have on hand. For the best flavor, use fresh lemons.

Bowls of ingredients needed to make lemon sweet rolls.

Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda: We are not using instant yeast. Therefore, we need two leaveners to help the dough rise while it bakes.
All-Purpose Flour: Use the fluff and spoon method or a kitchen scale to measure your flour. Adding too much flour can ruin your baked goods.
Buttermilk: Helps the dough rise as it bakes and gives baked goods a softer texture.
Lemons: 2-3 large lemons will provide enough juice and zest for both the dough and glaze. Please do not skip the zest, as it adds the best flavor to these rolls.
Lemon Filling: Combining lemon pie filling and cream cheese creates a sweet, creamy filling for the rolls.
Glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, lemon juice, milk, and lemon zest to make a sweet topping.

How To Make Lemon Sweet Rolls

You won’t believe how easy this lemon roll recipe is to make! Just grab a bowl and a fork to mix up the dough. With bright citrus flavor and a quick bake time, you’ll have a delicious breakfast treat in under an hour!

Four pictures collaged together showing how to make no yeast dough.

Stir together the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Create a "hole" in the center by pulling the flour mixture to the sides.

Pour in the fresh lemon juice, buttermilk, and melted butter, then use a fork to mix the dough.

Place the dough ball on a lightly floured surface. Knead a few times, just until it is no longer sticky. Let it rest for a few minutes. Press and pat the fluffy dough into a 10x14-inch rectangle.

Mix the cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Gently mix in the pie filling. Spread it evenly on the dough within an inch of the edge.

Roll the dough up from the shortest side. Do not pull or stretch as you roll. If it sticks to your counter, slide a butter knife gently underneath.

Cut the log into nine even rolls and gently place them in a greased or buttered baking dish. Drizzle the top with melted butter, then bake until lightly golden brown around the edges.

Whisk together the glaze ingredients in a small bowl, then spread the sweet mixture on the warm rolls and devour.

Storage Recommendations

Store any leftover lemon rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days. Although the glaze may soak into the tops of the rolls, they will still taste delicious the next day.

I do not recommend freezing the baked sweet rolls, as their texture and flavor will change significantly once thawed.

Glazed lemon rolls in a white baking dish.

BruCrew Tips

Freshly squeezed lemon juice yields the best flavor, but in a pinch, you can use organic bottled lemon juice as a substitute.
Avoid the white layer, or "pith," as you zest the lemons, because it's bitter and will affect the taste of the rolls.
Do NOT overmix the dough. Extra mixing and kneading can result in a tough dough instead of a light and flaky one.
Keep a thin layer of flour under the dough at all times, as the dough will tend to stick to the counter.
If your dough sticks as you are rolling it up, slide a butter knife under it gently and loosen the dough.
Use unflavored dental floss or a serrated knife to cut even slices without smashing the log of dough.
Let the sweet rolls cool for 5-10 minutes before adding the glaze. You can spread the glaze on hot rolls, but it will melt and soak into them.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

I don't recommend making this dough and keeping it longer than an hour. Baking powder and baking soda activate when they come into contact with an acidic liquid, such as buttermilk. If the mixture sits too long, it won't rise well.

Can I add berries to the filling?

Definitely! Blueberries or raspberries pair well with lemon. Just don’t add too many because extra fruit can make the soft rolls soggy. A small handful scattered over the lemon filling works great.

Can I use a homemade lemon filling if store-bought isn't available?

Yes! A homemade lemon pie filling or a thick lemon curd works perfectly. Just make sure it’s not too runny so it stays in place while rolling and baking.

More No Yeast Rolls

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