Ingredients
For the Dough:
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3 ½ cups (440g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
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2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
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¾ cup (180ml) dairy-free milk, warmed (like almond or oat milk)
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¼ cup (60g) dairy-free yogurt (such as coconut or soy yogurt)
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¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
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¼ cup (55g) vegan butter or regular unsalted butter, melted
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Zest of 1 lemon
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Juice of ½ lemon (about 1 tablespoon)
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½ teaspoon sea salt
For the Blueberry Filling:
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1 cup (240g) blueberry preserves or jam (store-bought or homemade)
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1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
For the Lemon Cream Cheese Glaze:
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½ cup (112g) vegan cream cheese or regular cream cheese, softened
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¾ cup (90g) powdered sugar
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1–2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
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Zest of ½ lemon
Preparation Notes:
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Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature before mixing.
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You can use a stand mixer or mix by hand.
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Proof time may vary depending on your kitchen temperature.
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the warm milk and active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until it becomes foamy.
- Add the sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, yogurt, and melted butter to the yeast mixture. Stir to combine.
- Add the flour and salt gradually. Mix using a dough hook or by hand until a sticky dough forms.
- Knead the dough for about 8–10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a tablespoon of flour at a time, but don’t over-flour it.
Step 2: First Rise (Proofing)
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap.
- Let it rise in a warm area for 60–90 minutes, or until it doubles in size.
Step 3: Prepare the Filling
- While the dough is rising, warm the blueberry jam slightly in a small saucepan to loosen it. Stir in cornstarch if using. Let it cool before spreading.
- Set aside the lemon zest and juice for the glaze.
Step 4: Roll Out the Dough
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release the air.
- Turn it out onto a floured surface and roll it into a large rectangle, about 18×12 inches.
- Spread the blueberry filling evenly across the surface of the dough, leaving about ½ inch border on all sides.
Step 5: Roll and Slice
- Starting from the long side, roll the dough tightly into a log.
- Use a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss to slice the log into 12 even rolls.
- Place the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish or a large round cake pan.
Step 6: Second Rise
- Cover the rolls and let them rise again for 30–45 minutes, until puffy.
- Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Step 7: Bake
- Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the tops are golden and the centers are cooked through.
- Allow the rolls to cool for 10–15 minutes before adding the glaze.
Step 8: Make the Glaze
- In a small mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth.
- Add the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Mix until creamy and pourable. Adjust consistency with more lemon juice if needed.
Step 9: Glaze the Rolls
- Spoon or drizzle the glaze generously over the warm rolls.
- Serve immediately or store covered at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Notes
- Use fresh yeast: Always check the expiration date on your yeast. If it doesn’t foam in the warm milk, it’s not active and should be replaced.
- Don’t over-flour: It’s tempting to add more flour when the dough feels sticky, but a soft dough ensures fluffy rolls.
- Warm place for rising: If your kitchen is cool, place the bowl in an oven with the light on or near a warm window.
- Dental floss trick: To get clean cuts when slicing your rolls, use unflavored dental floss instead of a knife—it won’t squish your dough.
- No blueberry jam? Substitute with strawberry, raspberry, or mixed berry preserves. You can also mash fresh blueberries with a bit of sugar and cornstarch.
- Dairy version: If you’re not vegan, you can use regular milk, yogurt, butter, and cream cheese in the same quantities.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes