Zesty Lemon Pull-Apart Rolls
Indulge in the delightful sweetness of these Zesty Lemon Pull-Apart Rolls, perfect for breakfast or as a sweet addition to your coffee break. These rolls are infused with a luscious cream cheese filling, a hint of Grand Marnier, and a bright burst of fresh lemon zest. Similar to Monkey Bread, they come apart easily, making them ideal for sharing. Whether you choose to make them from scratch with frozen bread dough or opt for the convenience of refrigerated crescent rolls, they’re sure to brighten up your morning and impress your guests. Topped with a simple lemon glaze, each soft, pillowy bite is a perfect balance of tart and sweet, making them a delightful treat for any occasion.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Frozen bread dough
1 lb (Thawed)
Butter
1/4 cup (Melted)
Sugar
1/2 cup (Divided (2 tablespoons for filling, 1/2 cup for sprinkling))
Cream cheese
4 ounces (Softened)
Grand Marnier or orange liqueur
2 teaspoons (As is)
Egg
1 (Beaten)
Lemon zest
1 tablespoon (Freshly grated)
Confectioner's sugar
1/2 cup (For glazing)
Fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon (Squeezed from lemon)
Instructions
1
Thaw the bread dough by leaving it at room temperature for approximately two hours or overnight in the refrigerator for best results.
2
Once thawed, divide the dough into 12 equal pieces for even baking.
3
Prepare a 9-inch cake or bundt pan by coating it thoroughly with melted butter. In a separate small bowl, place the remaining melted butter.
4
Dip each piece of dough in the melted butter, ensuring they are fully coated, and arrange them in the bottom of the prepared pan. Pour any leftover melted butter over the top of the dough.
5
Cover the pan and allow the dough to rise for 30 minutes in a warm place.
6
In the meantime, prepare the filling by mixing 2 tablespoons of sugar, softened cream cheese, Grand Marnier, and the egg in a bowl. Beat the mixture until it is smooth and well combined.
7
Pour the cream cheese mixture over the risen rolls, spreading it evenly.
8
In a small bowl, combine the remaining sugar with the lemon zest, and then sprinkle this mixture generously over the rolls.
9
Cover the rolls again and allow them to rise until doubled in size, which should take about 1 hour.
10
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once the rolls have risen, bake them in the preheated oven for approximately 25 minutes or until golden brown.
11
After baking, let the rolls cool in the pan for about 15 minutes.
12
For the glaze, whisk together the confectioner's sugar and fresh lemon juice in a small bowl until smooth, then drizzle it generously over the warm rolls before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Zesty Lemon Pull-Apart Rolls?
Zesty Lemon Pull-Apart Rolls are a sweet breakfast treat featuring a cream cheese filling, Grand Marnier, and fresh lemon zest, similar in style to Monkey Bread.
How much frozen bread dough do I need?
You will need 1 lb of frozen bread dough for this recipe.
What is the best way to thaw the frozen bread dough?
You can thaw the dough at room temperature for approximately two hours or overnight in the refrigerator for the best results.
How many pieces should the dough be divided into?
Once thawed, you should divide the dough into 12 equal pieces to ensure even baking.
What type of pan should I use for these rolls?
A 9-inch cake pan or a bundt pan is recommended for this recipe.
How should I prepare the baking pan?
The pan should be thoroughly coated with melted butter before adding the dough.
What do I do with the melted butter?
Dip each piece of dough in melted butter to coat it fully, and pour any remaining butter over the dough once it is in the pan.
How long is the first rise?
After arranging the dough in the pan, cover it and let it rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.
What ingredients are in the cream cheese filling?
The filling consists of 2 tablespoons of sugar, 4 ounces of softened cream cheese, 2 teaspoons of Grand Marnier (or orange liqueur), and one beaten egg.
Can I substitute the Grand Marnier?
Yes, you can use any orange liqueur as a substitute for Grand Marnier.
How do I prepare the cream cheese mixture?
Beat the sugar, softened cream cheese, liqueur, and egg together until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
When do I add the cream cheese filling to the rolls?
Pour the mixture over the rolls after they have completed their initial 30-minute rise.
How do I make the lemon sugar topping?
Combine the remaining sugar with 1 tablespoon of freshly grated lemon zest in a small bowl.
How long is the second rise?
After adding the filling and lemon sugar, cover the rolls and let them rise until they have doubled in size, which takes about 1 hour.
At what temperature should I bake the rolls?
Preheat your oven and bake the rolls at 350°F (175°C).
How long do the rolls need to bake?
Bake the rolls for approximately 25 minutes or until they are golden brown.
How long should I let the rolls cool after baking?
Allow the rolls to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before adding the glaze.
What is in the lemon glaze?
The glaze is made by whisking together 1/2 cup of confectioner's sugar and 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice.
When should the glaze be applied?
Drizzle the glaze generously over the warm rolls just before serving.
Can I use refrigerated crescent rolls instead?
Yes, you can use refrigerated crescent rolls as a convenient alternative to frozen bread dough.
Is this recipe suitable for sharing?
Yes, the pull-apart style makes these rolls ideal for sharing with guests.
What is the texture of these rolls?
Each bite is soft and pillowy with a balance of tart and sweet flavors.
How much butter is required in total?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of melted butter.
How much sugar is used in the entire recipe?
A total of 1/2 cup of sugar is used, divided between the filling and the sprinkling mixture.
Should the cream cheese be at room temperature?
Yes, the cream cheese should be softened to ensure a smooth filling.
Do I need fresh lemon for this recipe?
Yes, the recipe requires fresh lemon zest and 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice for the best flavor.
Can I make these for breakfast?
Absolutely, they are perfect for breakfast or as a sweet addition to a coffee break.
What is the role of the egg in this recipe?
The beaten egg is used to bind the cream cheese filling and provide structure.
What gives the rolls their citrus flavor?
The citrus flavor comes from a combination of fresh lemon zest, lemon juice, and a hint of orange liqueur.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 9 main ingredients: dough, butter, sugar, cream cheese, liqueur, egg, lemon zest, confectioner's sugar, and lemon juice.