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No Yeast Lemon Curd Rolls (Belgian Buns)

PREP TIME 20 minutes
COOK TIME 30 minutes
TOTAL TIME 50 minutes
servings9 rolls
A classic British bakery-style roll made without yeast, filled with tangy lemon curd and raisins, and topped with sweet glaze and a cherry.
no yeast lemon curd roll
Ingredients

For the dough

  • 2 ½ cups (300g) all purpose (plain flour)
  • 2 ½ Tablespoons (25g) white granulated sugar
  • 3 level teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • cup (80g) cold salted or unsalted butter (cubed or grated)
  • ¾ cup 180ml milk (if cold, warm slightly before using)

For the filling

  • ½ cup (120g) lemon curd, store bought or homemade (see note 1
  • cup (60g) raisins or dried cranberries (optional)

For the glaze

  • 1 cup (150g) powdered sugar (icing sugar)
  • 2 ½ Tablespoons hot water or milk
  • 9 whole or halved maraschino cherries (glacé cherries)
Instructions
  • Lightly grease an 8-inch (20 cm) square or round baking pan and line with parchment paper

Make the dough

  • Combine all purpose flour, white granulated sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl then add the butter.
  • Use your fingertips or a fork to mix the butter into the flour mixture.
  • Pour in the milk and use a spatula or hands to form a soft dough.
  • Turn out onto a well-floured surface and shape the dough with your hands to form approximately an 8 × 12-inch (20 × 30 cm) rectangle.
    Avoid using a rolling pin, as it can compress the dough too firmly and make the rolls less tender.

Filling

  • Spread store bought or homemade lemon curd on top of the dough in an even layer.
  • Sprinkle the raisins or cranberries (if using) Feel free to omit them if you don't like raisins or cranberries

Preheat the oven

  • Preheat oven now to 350°F (175°C). If using convection, reduce to 325°F (160°C).

Shape

  • Starting with the longer edge, gently roll the dough into a long and tight roll.
  • Cut the roll into 9 pieces, each about 1½ inches (4cm) thick. Carefully transfer them to the baking sheet and gently press them down a little.

Bake

  • Bake for 15 minutes, then turn the baking sheet around in the oven and bake for a further 10 to 15 minutes until golden brown.
  • After removing the buns from the oven, leave them in the pan and cover loosely for about 10 minutes to trap steam and keep them soft.

Make the glaze

  • Add powdered sugar and hot water or milk in a small bowl. Whisk until thick and smooth.
  • Adjust the consistency as needed: add a little more hot water for a thinner glaze, or a bit more powdered sugar for a thicker glaze.
  • While the buns are still warm, spread or drizzle the glaze over each bun. The warmth helps it soak in.
  • Finish by adding a whole or halved maraschino (glacé) cherry on top of each bun.

Storage

  • At room temperature: For up to 1 day in an airtight container
  • Refrigerate: For up to three days in an airtight container.

Reheating

  • Microwave: Cover with a damp paper towel and heat for 20–25 seconds (1 roll) or in 30-second bursts for multiple rolls until warmed through.
  • Air fryer: Warm at 325–350°F (160–180°C) for 2–3 minutes until heated through.
Recipe Notes
  1. You can use store bought lemon curd or my easy 5 ingredient Eggless Lemon Curd for this recipe.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 314kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 341mg | Potassium: 71mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 27g | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 2mg