Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These Lemon Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls are a breeze to make and offer a deliciously satisfying blend of flavors. The combination of tangy cream cheese, fresh lemon zest, and a sweet lemon glaze makes each bite irresistible. Whether served warm at breakfast or as a sweet ending to dinner, they provide the perfect bite of citrusy sweetness with a rich, buttery texture. Ideal for any occasion, they’re quick to prepare and sure to impress.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1 package (8 oz) crescent roll dough
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (for glaze)
- 1/2 tsp lemon zest (for glaze)
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
- Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate it into 8 triangles. Spread about 1 tablespoon of the lemon cream cheese mixture in the center of each dough triangle.
- Carefully roll up the dough, starting from the wide edge, to form crescent rolls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each roll.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown and puffed up.
- While the rolls are baking, prepare the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a small bowl until smooth.
- Once the rolls are out of the oven, let them cool for 5 minutes before drizzling the lemon glaze over the top of each roll. Serve warm and enjoy!
Servings and Timing
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 12-15 minutes
- Total time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 rolls
Variations
- Add more lemon: For a stronger lemon flavor, increase the amount of lemon zest in the cream cheese filling or glaze.
- Berries: Add fresh berries like raspberries or blueberries to the filling for a fruity twist.
- Nutty topping: Sprinkle chopped pecans or almonds on top of the glaze for added crunch and flavor.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: These rolls are best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, simply place the rolls in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also microwave them for about 15-20 seconds for a quicker option.
FAQs
1. Can I make Lemon Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the rolls and refrigerate them unbaked for up to 1 day. When ready to serve, bake them as directed.
2. Can I freeze these rolls?
Yes, you can freeze the unbaked rolls for up to 1 month. When ready to bake, let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bake as usual.
3. Can I use store-bought glaze instead of making my own?
Yes, if you’re short on time, you can use a pre-made lemon glaze instead of making your own from powdered sugar and lemon juice.
4. What can I substitute for crescent roll dough?
If you prefer a homemade dough, you can use puff pastry or another pre-made dough such as biscuit dough as a substitute for crescent rolls.
5. Can I use a different fruit for the glaze?
Yes, you can use orange juice or lime juice in place of lemon juice for a different flavor profile.
6. How can I make these rolls less sweet?
If you’d like to reduce the sweetness, you can cut back on the sugar in the cream cheese mixture and glaze.
7. Can I add a filling to the rolls?
Yes, feel free to add other ingredients like chocolate chips, chopped fruit, or even a bit of cinnamon to the cream cheese filling for a twist.
8. How do I know when the rolls are fully baked?
The rolls should be golden brown and puffed up. You can also check the internal temperature; it should be around 200°F (93°C).
9. Can I make these rolls dairy-free?
Yes, you can substitute the cream cheese with a dairy-free alternative, and use dairy-free crescent roll dough.
10. Can I double this recipe?
Yes, you can easily double the recipe by using two packages of crescent roll dough and adjusting the filling accordingly.
Conclusion
Lemon Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls are a quick and delicious treat that combines the tangy flavor of lemon with the rich creaminess of cream cheese. These rolls are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed as a sweet breakfast, a decadent dessert, or a fun snack. With a simple preparation and a light glaze to finish, they are sure to become a favorite in your home.
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Lemon Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 rolls
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Lemon Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls are a delightful sweet treat that combines creamy, tangy lemon cream cheese filling inside buttery, flaky crescent roll dough, finished with a lemon glaze for a citrusy sweetness.
Ingredients
1 package (8 oz) crescent roll dough
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tbsp lemon zest
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
1 tbsp lemon juice (for glaze)
1/2 tsp lemon zest (for glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
- Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate it into 8 triangles. Spread about 1 tablespoon of the lemon cream cheese mixture in the center of each dough triangle.
- Carefully roll up the dough, starting from the wide edge, to form crescent rolls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each roll.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown and puffed up.
- While the rolls are baking, prepare the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a small bowl until smooth.
- Once the rolls are out of the oven, let them cool for 5 minutes before drizzling the lemon glaze over the top of each roll. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
For a stronger lemon flavor, increase the amount of lemon zest in the cream cheese filling or glaze.
Add fresh berries like raspberries or blueberries to the filling for a fruity twist.
Sprinkle chopped pecans or almonds on top of the glaze for added crunch and flavor.
If you’re short on time, you can use a pre-made lemon glaze instead of making your own from powdered sugar and lemon juice.
You can substitute the cream cheese with a dairy-free alternative, and use dairy-free crescent roll dough to make these rolls dairy-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg