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Lemon poppy seed rolls are soft, fluffy, and filled with fresh lemon flavor and crunchy poppy seeds. These bakery style lemon poppy seed rolls are topped with smooth cream cheese frosting that melts into the warm rolls and makes them incredibly soft and rich. I made these rolls using organic lemons from my garden, which gives them a very fresh and natural lemon flavor. They are perfect for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or with a cup of coffee in the afternoon.
If you enjoy baking homemade sweet rolls, these lemon poppy seed rolls are a wonderful recipe to try. The dough is very soft and easy to work with, and the combination of lemon zest, lemon juice, and poppy seeds creates a fresh and slightly tangy filling that pairs perfectly with the cream cheese frosting. If you are new to baking with yeast, you can read this helpful guide about working with yeast dough. You might also like my sweet rolls recipe and my homemade cream cheese frosting, which you can use for many different roll and cake recipes.
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Quick Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Rise Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Bake Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: About 2 hours
- Servings: 12 rolls
- Difficulty: Easy
- Recipe Type: Sweet rolls, dessert, breakfast
WHAT YOU’LL NEED FOR THIS RECIPE
This recipe uses simple pantry ingredients that you probably already have at home. Fresh lemons, poppy seeds, and cream cheese are the key ingredients that give these lemon poppy seed rolls their fresh flavor and soft, creamy texture.
Lemons
Fresh lemons are very important for this recipe because they give the rolls a natural and fresh lemon flavor. I used organic lemons from my garden, and both lemon zest and lemon juice are used in the filling and the cream.
Tip: If you are not using organic lemons, soak the lemons in salted water for a few minutes, then rinse and dry them before zesting. This helps clean the peel before using it in the recipe.
Poppy Seeds
Poppy seeds add a light crunch and a beautiful look to these lemon poppy seed rolls. They also pair perfectly with lemon and give the rolls a classic bakery style flavor.
Tip: You can lightly toast poppy seeds in a dry pan for a few minutes to make the flavor stronger.
Flour
All purpose flour works best for soft and fluffy rolls. It gives the dough a soft structure while still keeping the rolls light and airy.
Tip: Always sift the flour before adding it to the dough to make the rolls softer.
Yeast
Yeast helps the dough rise and makes the rolls soft and fluffy. Instant yeast works very well for this recipe and makes the dough easier to prepare.
Tip: Make sure the milk is warm, not hot, or the yeast will not activate properly.
Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is used for the frosting and makes the rolls creamy, soft, and slightly tangy, which balances the sweet lemon filling perfectly.
Tip: Use full fat cream cheese for the best texture and flavor.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
You will love this recipe because these lemon poppy seed rolls are soft, fluffy, and full of fresh lemon flavor. The combination of lemon, poppy seeds, and cream cheese frosting makes these rolls taste like they came from a bakery, but they are very easy to make at home. The dough is soft and easy to work with, and the filling is fresh, slightly tangy, and perfectly sweet.
These lemon poppy seed rolls are perfect for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or with a cup of coffee in the afternoon. They also stay soft the next day, which makes them great for making ahead.These lemon poppy seed rolls are a perfect recipe for spring and summer baking when you want something fresh, soft, and homemade.
Ingredients
For the dough
1 cup warm milk (240 ml)
2 1/4 tsp instant yeast (10 g)
1/3 cup granulated sugar (65 g)
4 1/2 cups all purpose flour (560 g)
3 tbsp poppy seeds (30 g)
1 tsp salt (5 g)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (115 g)
2 large eggs
Lemon Cream Filling
1/2 cup milk (135 ml)
1/3 cup lemon juice (80 ml)
1/2 cup sugar (100 g)
1/4 cup cornstarch (30 g)
2 tbsp butter (30 g)
A pinch of turmeric powder for color
Cream Cheese Frosting
7 oz cream cheese (200 g)
3 tbsp butter, softened (50 g)
1/2 cup powdered sugar (60 g)
2 tbsp lemon juice (30 ml)
1 tbsp vanilla extract
How to Make Lemon Poppy Seed Rolls
1. Prepare the Dough
In a large bowl, pour warm milk and add sugar and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for a few minutes until the yeast starts to activate. This step is important because it helps the dough become soft and fluffy.
After that, add poppy seeds to the milk mixture and stir well so the poppy seeds are evenly distributed.
Next, add the eggs and a few tablespoons of flour to the mixture and stir until everything is well combined. The mixture will look soft and slightly thick at this stage.
Then add the melted butter and the rest of the flour. Mix everything with a spoon until the dough starts to come together and forms a soft dough.
The dough should be soft and slightly sticky, but not too wet. If needed, you can add a little more flour, but be careful not to add too much so the rolls stay soft after baking.
Once the dough starts to come together, continue kneading the dough in the bowl with your hands until it becomes smooth and soft. Knead the dough for several minutes until it is soft but not sticky and does not stick to clean hands. This is very important for soft and fluffy rolls.
When the dough is smooth, shape it into a ball and leave it in the same bowl. Lightly oil the bowl and the dough so it does not dry out. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rest for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
While the dough is resting, prepare the lemon cream filling.
2. Lemon Cream Filling
To make the lemon cream filling, take a small saucepan and pour in the milk, then add the sugar. Place the saucepan on the stove over medium heat and stir until the sugar starts to dissolve.
Add cornstarch, a pinch of turmeric powder for color, and lemon juice. Stir everything well until the mixture becomes smooth and there are no lumps.
Cook the mixture while stirring constantly. As soon as the cream starts to boil, it will quickly thicken. Continue stirring for another minute until you get a smooth and thick lemon cream.
Remove the cream from the heat and let it cool slightly, then transfer it to a bowl and add butter. Finely grate about 1/4 of a lemon zest into the warm cream and mix everything well until the butter melts and the cream becomes smooth and glossy. The lemon zest will give the cream a stronger and fresher lemon flavor.
Let the lemon cream cool completely before using it. If the cream becomes too thick after cooling, you can add a few tablespoons of milk and mix it with a mixer until you get a smooth and spreadable cream.
3. Shape the Dough
Once the dough has doubled in size, transfer it onto a clean work surface. The dough will be very soft and airy, which is exactly what we want for soft rolls.
Gently stretch the dough with your hands to form a large rectangle. You can also use a rolling pin, but I prefer stretching the dough by hand because the dough stays softer and more airy.
Try to make an even rectangle so the rolls will be the same size when you cut them later.
4. Spread the Lemon Cream Filling
Once the dough is stretched into a rectangle, spread the cooled lemon cream evenly over the dough. Make sure the cream is completely cooled before spreading so it does not melt into the dough.
Use a spoon or spatula to spread the cream evenly over the entire surface of the dough. Try to spread the cream in an even layer so every roll will have the same amount of filling. This lemon cream will make the rolls very soft, creamy, and full of fresh lemon flavor.
5. Roll the Dough and Cut the Rolls
After spreading the lemon cream filling evenly over the dough, carefully roll the dough into a log from the longer side. Roll gently so the filling stays inside and the roll stays even.
Once the dough is rolled, mark the thickness where you want to cut the rolls so they are all the same size. This helps the rolls bake evenly and look nicer after baking.
To cut the rolls, use a piece of thread or kitchen string. Place the thread under the dough, cross it over the top, and pull to cut the rolls. This method keeps the rolls round and prevents them from being pressed and flattened like when using a knife.
After cutting the rolls, gently place them into a greased baking dish. Leave a little space between each roll because they will rise and expand before baking.
Bake the rolls in a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for about 25 minutes, or until the rolls are lightly golden on top.
6. Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
While the rolls are baking, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a bowl, add cream cheese, vanilla extract, soft butter, lemon juice, and half of the powdered sugar. Mix everything well until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
Then add the rest of the powdered sugar and continue mixing until you get a smooth, soft, and creamy frosting. The frosting should be easy to spread and have a smooth texture without lumps.
This cream cheese frosting is creamy, slightly tangy, and perfect for lemon poppy seed rolls. It melts slightly when spread over warm rolls and makes them extra soft and delicious.
7. Bake the Rolls and Spread the Frosting
Once the lemon poppy seed rolls are baked, remove them from the oven. The rolls should be lightly golden on top and very soft inside. Let the lemon poppy seed rolls cool for about 5 to 10 minutes before adding the frosting.
Spread the cream cheese frosting over the warm lemon poppy seed rolls. The frosting will slowly melt and go between the rolls, which makes them extra soft, creamy, and delicious. Make sure to spread the frosting evenly over all the rolls.
These lemon poppy seed rolls are best served warm, when the frosting is soft and the rolls are fluffy and full of lemon flavor.
Enjoy these soft and fresh lemon poppy seed rolls with a cup of coffee or tea and share them with family and friends.
Storing Lemon Poppy Seed Rolls
Store lemon poppy seed rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Make sure the rolls are completely cooled before storing so they do not create moisture inside the container.
If you want to store them longer, keep them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Before serving, you can warm the rolls slightly in the microwave for a few seconds so they become soft again.
You can also freeze the rolls. Place completely cooled rolls in a freezer safe container or bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw the rolls at room temperature and warm them slightly before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make lemon poppy seed rolls ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the rolls ahead of time. After you shape and cut the rolls, place them in the baking dish, cover, and keep them in the refrigerator overnight. The next day, let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking.
Can I freeze lemon poppy seed rolls?
Yes, these rolls freeze very well. You can freeze baked rolls or unbaked rolls after shaping. Thaw them at room temperature and warm slightly before serving.
Can I use dry active yeast instead of instant yeast?
Yes, you can use active dry yeast. Just dissolve it in warm milk with a little sugar and let it sit for 10 minutes until foamy before adding the other ingredients.
Why is my dough too sticky?
The dough for these rolls should be soft, but not too sticky. If the dough is very sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough is soft and easy to work with.
Can I make these rolls without poppy seeds?
Yes, you can make lemon rolls without poppy seeds. The rolls will still be soft and full of lemon flavor, and you can also add a little more lemon zest for a stronger lemon taste.
How do I know when the rolls are baked?
The rolls should be lightly golden on top and soft in the middle. If the top is golden and the rolls smell nice and buttery, they are ready. You can also gently press the top of a roll, and if it springs back, they are baked.
Watch the Full Lemon Poppy Seed Rolls Video
Nutrition Per Roll
Nutrition values are approximate and may vary depending on the ingredients used and the size of the rolls.
Per 1 lemon poppy seed roll with cream cheese frosting:
Calories: about 320 kcal
Carbohydrates: 45 g
Protein: 6 g
Fat: 13 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Sugar: 18 g
Fiber: 1 g
Sodium: 180 mg
Conclusion
These lemon poppy seed rolls with cream cheese frosting are soft, fluffy, and full of fresh lemon flavor. The combination of lemon cream filling, poppy seeds, and smooth cream cheese frosting makes these rolls taste like bakery style sweet rolls that you can easily make at home.
This recipe is perfect for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or any time you want something sweet, soft, and fresh. The rolls stay soft, the lemon flavor is light and refreshing, and the cream cheese frosting makes them extra creamy and delicious.
Enjoy these lemon poppy seed rolls while they are still warm and soft, and share them with family and friends.
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