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Lemon Crème Brûlée Donut Rolls

Lemon Crème Brûlée Donut Rolls

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  • Author: Emily
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes (excluding rise time)
  • Cook Time: 18-22 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including rise time)
  • Yield: 10 servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert, Brunch, Sweet Treats
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American, French
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Lemon Crème Brûlée Donut Rolls are a fusion of two irresistible desserts—creamy lemon-infused custard rolled in soft donut dough and finished with a crispy caramelized sugar topping. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, they offer a luxurious twist on classic flavors.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • For the Donut Rolls:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon instant yeast
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup whole milk, warm
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
  • For the Lemon Crème Brûlée Filling:
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • For the Crème Brûlée Topping:
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for caramelizing)

Instructions

  1. Make the Dough: Combine flour, sugar, instant yeast, and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, whisk together warm milk, butter, egg, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Mix wet into dry ingredients, forming dough. Knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  2. Let the Dough Rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise for 1-1.5 hours, until doubled in size.
  3. Make the Lemon Crème Brûlée Filling: Heat cream and milk in a saucepan. Whisk together egg yolks and sugar in a separate bowl. Gradually add hot milk mixture to yolks, then cook on low heat until thickened. Stir in vanilla, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Cool to room temperature.
  4. Roll Out the Dough: Punch down dough, roll out to a 1/4 inch thick rectangle. Spread a thin layer of crème brûlée filling over dough.
  5. Roll and Slice: Roll dough up into a log, then slice into 8-10 pieces. Arrange slices in a greased baking dish.
  6. Bake the Donut Rolls: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls for 18-22 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
  7. Caramelize the Sugar: Sprinkle granulated sugar over the rolls. Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar, or broil for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully.
  8. Serve and Enjoy: Let the sugar topping harden before serving. Enjoy fresh out of the oven with a crispy crust and creamy center.

Notes

  • Make the crème brûlée filling ahead of time and refrigerate for convenience.
  • Use a kitchen torch for best results when caramelizing sugar; alternatively, broil in the oven.
  • These rolls are best enjoyed fresh but can be reheated at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 donut roll
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 20
  • Sodium: 90mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 36g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 80mg