The Meyer lemon craze continues!

After trying out mini rolls while reviewing the Petite Treats cookbook, I fell in love with the concept and decided to make these rolls mini too. They are incredibly adorable but also very easy to lose track of how many you’ve had. I’m pretty sure I ate 5 in one sitting but that’s the equivalent to a little over one big one, right? Work with me here people.

In other news, many of you have today off from work! Even though I technically do too according to the university calendar, there is always work to be done. Especially when I am desperately trying to get all my data finished up for good. A few hours of extra work means a few hours closer to being finished – assuming it works. Oh, research. Someone once told me that if it always worked the first time it would just be called “search”. Nerdage.

One year ago: Creamy Tomato Basil Bisque

MINI MEYER LEMON STICKY ROLLS

Makes 24 mini rolls

Ingredients:

DOUGH

1-1/4 tsp active dry yeast

1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp warm milk (about 100-110 F)

1/4 cup (1/3 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 Tbsp sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1-3/4 to 2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1 Meyer lemon, zested

1 egg, at room temperature

FILLING

1/2 cup sugar

1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

zest of 1 Meyer lemon

1 Tbsp Meyer lemon juice

1 Tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature

GLAZE

2 oz. cream cheese, softened

Juice of 1/2 Meyer lemon

1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar

1/2 Meyer lemon, zested (optional, for garnish)

Directions:

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, sprinkle the yeast over the warmed milk and let it sit for a few minutes.  Add the butter, sugar, vanilla, salt, nutmeg, lemon zest, and 1/2 cup of the flour and mix briefly to combine.  Add the egg and enough of the remaining flour to make a soft yet sticky dough.  Switch to the dough hook and knead the dough for about 5 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic.  (Alternatively, you could turn the soft dough out onto a floured work surface and knead by hand for 7-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.)
2. Lightly grease a large bowl with cooking spray.  Add the dough and turn to coat.  Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set in a warm spot.  Let the dough rise until nearly doubled, about an hour.
3. To make the filling, mix the sugar with the nutmeg, then work in the lemon zest with the tips of your fingers until the sugar resembles wet, soft sand. Stir in one tablespoons of lemon juice.
4. Lightly grease a 9 inch round baking dish with cooking spray.  On a floured surface, roll the dough out into a rectangle that is approximately 10×8 inches.  Cut into two 5×8 inch rectangles.  Spread the dough evenly over both with the softened butter, then spread the lemon-sugar filling mixture over top.  Starting with a long end facing you, roll the dough up tightly.  Pinch the dough at the end to seal the seam.  Repeat with remaining rectangle.  Cut each dough roll into 12 even rolls (24 total), and place them, cut side up, in the prepared baking dish.
5. Cover the rolls with a towel and let them rise for an hour or until puffy and nearly doubled.  (You can also refrigerate the rolls at this point. Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap, and place it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you are ready to bake the rolls, remove the pan from the fridge, and let them rise for an hour.)
6. Heat the oven to 350.  Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until the rolls are lightly browned and a thermometer inserted into the center of a roll reads 190 F.
7. While the rolls are baking, prepare the glaze.  Whip the cream cheese (using a mixer or even by hand with a whisk) until light and fluffy.  Add the lemon juice and blend until well combined.  Mix in the powdered sugar until the glaze is smooth and creamy.
8. When the rolls finish baking, smear them with the cream cheese glaze, and, if desired, sprinkle the lemon zest over the top to garnish. Serve while warm.

Source: Halved from Tracey’s Culinary Adventures.