Lemon Cinnamon Rolls Recipe: Soft, Gooey & Zesty Sweet Rolls for the Perfect Breakfast Treat

I’ve always loved playing around with different cinnamon roll flavors—because let’s be real, there’s something magical about a soft, gooey roll fresh out of the oven. And while classic cinnamon rolls are great, sometimes you want a twist, something a little brighter. Enter these lemon sweet rolls—a fresh take on a homemade cinnamon rolls recipe that’s got all the cozy vibes of a traditional roll but with a citrusy kick that makes them feel extra special.

If you’re a fan of lemon dessert recipes, these will be right up your alley. They’re like a mix between a soft scratch cinnamon roll and a bright, tangy lemon treat dessert—basically, the best of both worlds. And let me tell you, the cinnamon rolls aesthetic is next-level. Think golden, fluffy rolls drizzled with a zesty lemon glaze that melts right into all those swirls.

The best part? This is an easy lemon rolls recipe—no crazy ingredients, no complicated steps. Just a simple, from-scratch dough, a cinnamon-sugar filling with a pop of lemon zest, and a glaze that takes things over the top. If you’ve been looking for lemon dessert ideas easy enough to make on a weekend morning but impressive enough to serve at brunch, this is it.

So if you’re in the mood for a new flavored cinnamon roll to add to your list of cinnamon roll ideas, or if you love the sound of a cinnamon roll cake but want something that pulls apart in perfect, warm layers, this lemon cinnamon rolls homemade recipe is for you. Let’s get baking!

What You’ll Need

I like recipes that use simple, everyday ingredients. No fancy stuff here. Just things you probably already have in your kitchen.

For the Dough:

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup sugar (because sweet is life)
• 2 ¼ tsp (or one packet) instant yeast
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup warm milk (not too hot or you’ll kill the yeast)
• ¼ cup melted butter
• 1 large egg
• Zest of 1 lemon (adds all that bright flavor)

For the Filling:

• ⅔ cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ cup softened butter (let it sit out for a bit)
• Zest of 1 lemon

For the Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp melted butter
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

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Step 1: Make the Dough

First things first, let’s get this dough started.

1. In a big bowl (or your stand mixer if you’re fancy like that), mix the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
2. Add in the warm milk, melted butter, egg, and lemon zest. Stir it up until it starts to form a dough.
3. Now, time to knead. You can do this by hand on a floured surface for about 8 minutes, or use the dough hook in your mixer for 5 minutes. It should be smooth but slightly sticky—kind of like Play-Doh but less messy.
4. Place your dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel, and let it rise for one hour. Yes, a whole hour. This is when you can do all the things—start some laundry, answer a million “why” questions, or just sit down with that coffee while it’s still warm.

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Step 2: Make the Filling

Now that your dough is doing its thing, let’s get the filling ready.

1. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon, and lemon zest. That’s it. Super simple.
2. Once your dough has doubled in size (it should look all puffy and happy), roll it out into a 12×18-inch rectangle on a floured surface.
3. Spread the softened butter all over the dough, like you’re buttering a giant piece of toast.
4. Sprinkle that cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly on top. Try not to snack on it. (I fail at this every time.)

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Step 3: Roll & Slice

Now comes the fun part—rolling it up!

1. Start at the long edge and roll it up tightly, kind of like a jelly roll.
2. Cut into 12 even slices. If they’re not perfect, who cares? It all tastes the same.
3. Place the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, cover them again, and let them rise for 30 more minutes.

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Step 4: Bake!

Alright, time to turn these little rolls into something amazing.

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until they’re golden brown and making your house smell like a bakery.
3. While they’re baking, you can clean up or—more realistically—explain to your kids why they still have to wear pants today.

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Step 5: Make the Glaze & Drizzle

Last step, and maybe the best part.

1. In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, melted butter, and vanilla. If it’s too thick, add a little more lemon juice. If it’s too thin, more powdered sugar. This is not an exact science—just go with it.
2. Drizzle the glaze over the warm rolls. Try not to eat one straight out of the pan and burn your tongue. (Again, I fail at this every time.)

FAQs – Lemon Cinnamon Rolls

Lemon Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

I love that these lemon sweet rolls bring something a little different to the table. They’re not your basic cinnamon roll, but they’re not too wild either—just the right amount of twist on a classic. And if you’re anything like me, always looking for new cinnamon roll ideas, this is one to add to the list. You can even turn them into a cinnamon roll cake by baking them close together in a round pan for that extra cozy, pull-apart vibe.

Honestly, these are the kind of lemon treats desserts that make a regular morning feel a little extra special. And let’s be real, when you’ve got kids, mornings don’t always feel special—they feel chaotic. But something about baking a batch of scratch cinnamon rolls just makes it all a little sweeter.

So if you’re craving something new in the world of cinnamon roll flavors, or need a fun, lemon desserts ideas easy enough to pull off even with little hands “helping,” these easy lemon rolls are it. Try them out, let me know if your kids ate them all before you even got a bite (mine did), and happy baking!