Dough

1. Mix the water and 1/2 tsp sugar in a small bowl and sprinkle the yeast on top. Cover and let rest 5-10 minutes or until frothy.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and sugar together. Add the butter and mix well. Add the yeast mixture, milk, and lemon zest – mix between ingredient additions.
3. Add 1 cup of flour at a time and mix in with your hands. Gently knead until you have a smooth and soft dough that bounces back when touched.
4. Cover and let rise for 4 hours.
5. Preheat oven to 375F.
6. Divide dough into 18 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and place side by side (touching each other) in a lightly greased pan.
7. Cover and let rise for 20 minutes.
8. Place on middle rack and bake for 20 minutes or until golden.
9. Remove and let cool slightly.
10. Use a piping bag to squeeze a dollop of lemon curd into each bun.
11. Pour the lemon syrup over the buns while still in the pan.
12. Frost each bun just before serving and garnish with a touch of fresh lemon zest.
13. *Be sure to refrigerate any leftover frosting or buns you have frosted that have not been eaten right away and consume within a day.

Lemon Curd

1. Mix the sugar and corn starch together.
2. Add the boiling water while stirring so no lumps form.
3. Cook in a small pot on medium heat until it thickens and is translucent.
4. Remove from heat and blend into the egg yolks a little at a time.
5. Cook for 2 more minutes then add the lemon juice and butter.
6. Cook for another 3 minutes. Remove and scrape all into a small bowl. Cover with food safe plastic wrap so that it is touching the surface of the curd. Set aside to cool.

Lemon Syrup

1. Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until a smooth syrup forms.

Lemon Frosting

1. In a medium size bowl, combine the butter and mascarpone cheese and mix well with a blender or by hand until.
2. Add in the icing sugar and continue to mix until smooth.
3. Mix in the vanilla and lemon zest.
4. Be sure to refrigerate any leftover frosting or anything you have frosted that has not been eaten right away and consume within a day.