Lemon Sticky Rolls

If you love anything lemon, you will love this recipe! While there is a lot of waiting time for the rolls to rise, it is definitely worth the wait. These rolls are the perfect thing to eat on a nice, warm spring day and especially to share with friends and family at brunch on Easter.

Cook Time: 30 minutes
Prep Time: 2.5 hours (including rising time)
Total Time: 3 hours (including rising time)

Ingredients
3 large lemons - equals about 1 1/2 tablespoons of zest and 1/2 cup of lemon juice that will be divided as follows below

Dough:
3/4 cup milk
2 1/2 tsp yeast
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened plus 3 Tbsp unsalted butter for roll assembly
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 Tbsp lemon zest
2 large eggs

Filling:
1 cup sugar
1/2 Tbsp lemon zest
1/4 cup lemon juice

Lemon Cream Cheese Glaze: 
4 oz cream cheese
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 Tbsp lemon zest
up to 1/4 cup lemon juice (Use half for a thicker glaze)

Instructions
1. Microwave the milk for 35-45 seconds until warm. Add yeast, stir, and let it sit until foamy; around 5 minutes
2. Meanwhile, mix the butter, sugar, vanilla, 1 cup of flour, salt, and lemon zest with an electric or stand mixer until mixture is crumbly. Then add the milk/yeast mixture and eggs and mix until combined. Add the rest of the remaining flour to make soft but sticky dough.
3. Knead the dough with a dough hook attachment or by hand for 5 minutes or until the dough is elastic. Lightly grease and coat the dough all over with vegetable oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let rise until doubled; around 1 hour
4. Meanwhile, combine the sugar and lemon zest for the zest to flavor the sugar. Once the dough has risen, add the lemon juice to for a thick, sandy mixture.
5. On a floured surface, evenly roll the dough out into a thick rectangle around 10"x15". Spread 3 Tbsp of soft butter on the dough evenly. Then spread the lemon and sugar mixture on top.
6. Roll the rough up tightly to keep the lemon sugar inside. Cut the rolls up with floss or string about 1 inch thick and place them in a greased pan. Cover the rolls with a damp towel and let rise until doubled; around 1 hour
7. Heat the oven to 350°F and bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes.
8. While rolls are baking, prepare the glaze by beating the cream cheese until light and fluffy with a hand mixer. Then add the powdered sugar and either 2 Tbsp of the lemon of juice for a thick glaze or 1/4 cup of juice for a thinner glaze.
9. Drizzle the glaze on warm rolls and enjoy!