Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnamon Rolls combine the rich, comforting flavors of classic cinnamon rolls with the sweet and tangy notes of strawberries and cream cheese. This recipe takes a beloved breakfast treat and elevates it with a decadent twist, creating a delightful fusion that’s perfect for any occasion. The soft, pillowy dough encases a warm, cinnamon-sugar filling complemented by fresh strawberries, while the cream cheese frosting, swirled with strawberry jam, adds a cheesecake-like richness that melts in your mouth.

These rolls are not just a breakfast indulgence; they make a wonderful addition to a brunch spread or can even serve as a crowd-pleasing dessert. The bright, fruity flavors combined with the cozy, spiced undertones create a harmonious blend that appeals to both traditionalists and those seeking something a bit more adventurous in their baking repertoire. Whether for a special occasion or a weekend treat, these Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnamon Rolls are sure to impress.

Ingredients Overview

The Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnamon Rolls are composed of four key components: the dough, the filling, the frosting, and the topping. Each part plays a vital role in creating the perfect balance of flavors and textures that make this recipe truly special.

Dough: The foundation of the rolls is a soft, yeasted dough made from warm milk, active dry yeast, sugar, eggs, melted butter, and all-purpose flour. The dough’s elasticity and lightness are crucial for creating the fluffy, tender texture that characterizes a great cinnamon roll.

Filling: The filling combines softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon, creating a sweet, spiced layer that contrasts beautifully with the fresh strawberries. The strawberries add a burst of juicy flavor, infusing the rolls with a refreshing tang that cuts through the richness of the cinnamon-sugar mixture.

Frosting: The cream cheese frosting is what gives these rolls their cheesecake-like quality. Made from softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract, the frosting is smooth, creamy, and slightly tangy. A swirl of strawberry jam adds an extra layer of fruity sweetness, enhancing the overall flavor profile.

Topping: Fresh strawberry slices and optional crushed graham crackers complete the rolls, adding a touch of freshness and a bit of crunch. The use of fresh ingredients, particularly the strawberries, is essential for achieving the vibrant flavor and appealing texture that make these rolls stand out. The combination of cream cheese and strawberry jam in the frosting ties everything together, giving these cinnamon rolls their unique and irresistible character.

Preparing the Dough

Step 1: Activating the Yeast

The first step in preparing the dough for Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnamon Rolls is activating the yeast. This process is crucial because it ensures that the dough will rise properly, resulting in fluffy, tender rolls. To activate the yeast, you’ll need to start with warm milk heated to around 110°F (43°C). The temperature is key—too cool, and the yeast won’t activate; too hot, and you risk killing the yeast.

In a large mixing bowl, pour the warm milk and sprinkle 2 1/4 teaspoons of active dry yeast over the top. Let it sit undisturbed for about 5 minutes. During this time, the yeast will begin to feed on the sugars in the milk, creating a frothy layer on the surface. This frothiness is a sign that the yeast is alive and active. If your mixture doesn’t froth, it’s best to start over with fresh yeast to avoid dough that won’t rise.

Step 2: Mixing the Dough

Once your yeast is activated, it’s time to mix the dough. Begin by adding 1/2 cup of granulated sugar to the yeast mixture, stirring until it dissolves. Next, add two large room-temperature eggs, which help create a rich, tender dough. Slowly pour in 1/3 cup of melted unsalted butter, ensuring it’s not too hot, as it could kill the yeast. Finally, add 1 teaspoon of salt, which balances the flavors and strengthens the dough.

With the wet ingredients combined, gradually start adding 4 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour. Add the flour one cup at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. This gradual incorporation ensures the flour is evenly distributed, and helps prevent the dough from becoming too dense. As you add the flour, the dough will begin to come together, first forming a sticky mass, and eventually becoming more cohesive and less sticky.

Step 3: Kneading the Dough

Once the dough has come together in the bowl, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface for kneading. Kneading is essential for developing the gluten in the flour, which gives the dough its structure and elasticity. Using the heels of your hands, push the dough away from you, fold it over, and then rotate it slightly. Continue this process for about 10 minutes. As you knead, the dough will become smoother and more elastic. You’ll know it’s ready when it feels soft and springs back slightly when pressed with a fingertip.

Step 4: First Rise

After kneading, it’s time for the dough’s first rise. Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning it to coat the surface lightly with oil. This prevents it from drying out. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and place it in a warm, draft-free spot. The ideal temperature for rising dough is around 75°F (24°C). If your kitchen is cool, you can place the bowl in a slightly warm oven or near a stove. Allow the dough to rise for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size. This rise is crucial, as it develops the dough’s flavor and texture, making the final rolls light and fluffy.

Preparing the Filling 

Step 1: Making the Cinnamon Butter

The filling for these Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnamon Rolls is a luscious combination of softened butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Start by taking 1/2 cup of unsalted butter and allowing it to soften at room temperature. This is important because softened butter is easier to mix and spread, ensuring an even distribution of flavor throughout the rolls.

In a small bowl, combine the softened butter with 1 cup of packed brown sugar and 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon. Brown sugar provides a deep, molasses-like sweetness that pairs perfectly with the warmth of the cinnamon, creating the classic cinnamon roll flavor. Cinnamon adds a fragrant, spicy note that’s essential to the filling, giving the rolls their characteristic warmth and richness.

Step 2: Rolling Out the Dough

Once the dough has risen and is ready to be filled, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough into a large rectangle, approximately 16×12 inches in size. Aim for an even thickness of about 1/4 inch throughout the rectangle. This ensures that the rolls bake evenly and that each roll has the same amount of filling. If the dough is too thick, the rolls might turn out dense; if too thin, they could tear during rolling.

Step 3: Spreading the Filling

Spread the cinnamon butter mixture evenly over the rolled-out dough using a spatula or the back of a spoon. It’s important to cover the entire surface, leaving a small margin (about 1/2 inch) around the edges to prevent the filling from spilling out during rolling. This ensures that every bite of the roll is infused with the sweet, spiced filling.

Step 4: Adding Fresh Strawberries

The final step in preparing the filling is adding fresh strawberries. Take 1 cup of fresh strawberries, dice them into small, uniform pieces, and evenly distribute them over the cinnamon butter layer. The strawberries add a juicy, tart contrast to the sweetness of the filling, elevating the overall flavor. Uniform dicing is important to ensure even distribution, so each roll has a consistent burst of strawberry flavor. This combination of cinnamon butter and fresh strawberries creates a delightful balance that sets these rolls apart from traditional cinnamon rolls.

Rolling and Cutting the Dough 

Step 1: Rolling the Dough

Once the dough is filled with the cinnamon butter and fresh strawberries, the next step is rolling it into a log. Starting from the long edge of the dough (the 16-inch side), begin rolling the dough tightly but gently. To achieve a tight roll, use your fingers to tuck the dough as you go, ensuring that the filling stays securely inside. A tight roll is crucial for even baking, as it helps the rolls maintain their shape and ensures that the filling is evenly distributed throughout each slice. Be careful not to roll too tightly, though, as this could cause the filling to squeeze out or the dough to tear.

Step 2: Cutting the Rolls

Once the dough is rolled into a log, it’s time to cut it into individual rolls. Using a sharp knife or a piece of unflavored dental floss, cut the log into 12 equal slices. If using a knife, make sure it’s sharp to avoid squashing the dough and filling; use a gentle sawing motion to keep the cuts clean. For the floss method, slide the floss under the roll, cross the ends over the top, and pull them tight to slice through the dough. This method is particularly effective at keeping the filling intact and the rolls uniform.

Step 3: Second Rise

After the rolls are cut, place them in a greased baking dish, leaving a little space between each one to allow for expansion. Cover the dish with a damp cloth and let the rolls rise again for about 30 minutes. This second rise is essential as it allows the dough to relax and puff up, ensuring that the rolls will be soft, fluffy, and perfectly baked. The second rise also helps the rolls maintain their shape during baking, resulting in a beautifully rounded, light texture.

Baking the Rolls 

Step 1: Preheating the Oven

Before baking the Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnamon Rolls, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is crucial because baking at the correct temperature ensures that the rolls cook evenly throughout. If the oven is too cool, the rolls might bake unevenly, resulting in a doughy center and overbrowned tops. Conversely, if the oven is too hot, the rolls could brown too quickly on the outside while remaining undercooked inside. Preheating your oven to 350°F provides the optimal environment for the dough to rise fully and the filling to melt and caramelize just right.

Step 2: Baking Time and Indicators of Doneness

Once your oven has reached the correct temperature, place the prepared rolls in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. During this time, the rolls will expand, and the dough will turn a beautiful golden brown. It’s important to keep an eye on them during the last few minutes of baking to ensure they don’t overbake.

The rolls are done when they are evenly golden brown across the top and the centers are fully set. You can check for doneness by gently pressing the center of one of the rolls—if it springs back lightly and feels firm, the rolls are ready. Another indicator is the aroma; when the rolls are nearly done, your kitchen will be filled with the sweet, buttery scent of cinnamon and baked dough. For a more precise check, insert a toothpick into the center of a roll—if it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, the rolls are perfectly baked.

After baking, allow the rolls to cool slightly in the pan before applying the cream cheese frosting. This brief cooling period ensures the frosting doesn’t melt too quickly, allowing it to spread evenly and smoothly over the warm rolls.

Preparing the Cream Cheese Frosting

Step 1: Creaming the Ingredients

The key to a perfect cream cheese frosting is achieving a smooth, creamy texture. Start by taking 8 ounces of cream cheese and 1/4 cup of unsalted butter, both softened to room temperature. Softening is essential because it allows the ingredients to blend seamlessly without lumps. Place the cream cheese and butter in a medium mixing bowl and beat them together using an electric mixer on medium speed. Continue beating until the mixture is light, fluffy, and completely smooth. This step is crucial for ensuring that the frosting will have a luxurious, velvety consistency when spread over the warm rolls.

Step 2: Adding the Sweetness

Once the cream cheese and butter are well-combined, gradually add 2 cups of powdered sugar, also known as confectioners’ sugar. Powdered sugar is used because its fine texture dissolves easily, creating a smooth frosting without graininess. As you add the sugar, mix on low speed to prevent it from puffing out of the bowl. After all the sugar is incorporated, increase the speed to medium-high and continue beating until the frosting is thick and creamy. Finally, add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. The vanilla adds a subtle depth of flavor that enhances the sweetness without overpowering the cream cheese’s tang.

Step 3: Creating the Strawberry Swirl

To elevate the cream cheese frosting with a burst of fruity flavor, you’ll add a strawberry swirl. Take 2 tablespoons of strawberry jam and slightly warm it if needed to make it easier to drizzle. Once the frosting is spread over the cooled rolls, drizzle the jam over the top. Use a toothpick or the tip of a knife to gently swirl the jam into the frosting, creating a marbled effect. This not only adds a beautiful visual contrast but also infuses the frosting with the bright, fresh flavor of strawberries, perfectly complementing the rolls. The strawberry swirl adds a layer of complexity and ties the frosting back to the fresh strawberries used in the filling, creating a cohesive and irresistible dessert.

Frosting and Serving the Rolls 

Step 1: Frosting the Warm Rolls

Once the Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnamon Rolls have cooled slightly but are still warm, generously spread the cream cheese frosting over the tops. Frosting the rolls while they’re warm allows the frosting to melt slightly, seeping into the crevices and making each bite extra moist and flavorful. Use a spatula to spread the frosting evenly, ensuring each roll is fully covered.

Step 2: Adding Toppings

For the final touch, garnish the frosted rolls with fresh strawberry slices, adding a pop of color and a fresh, juicy contrast to the rich frosting. If desired, sprinkle some crushed graham crackers over the top to mimic the classic cheesecake crust and add a delightful crunch.

Step 3: Presentation and Serving Suggestions

Serve the rolls warm, either as a decadent breakfast treat or as a dessert. They pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or tea, making them perfect for brunch or a cozy afternoon snack. For a more indulgent dessert, consider serving them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

FAQs Section

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?

Yes, you can use frozen strawberries if fresh ones are not available. To use frozen strawberries, thaw them first and drain any excess liquid to prevent the rolls from becoming soggy. Pat the strawberries dry with paper towels before dicing and adding them to the filling.

What if I don’t have a stand mixer?

If you don’t have a stand mixer, you can mix and knead the dough by hand. Use a large mixing bowl and a wooden spoon to combine the ingredients, then turn the dough onto a floured surface for kneading. Knead the dough by hand for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.

Can I make these rolls ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the rolls in advance. After assembling the rolls and placing them in the baking dish, cover them tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. The next day, let them come to room temperature and rise slightly before baking as directed.

How can I make the rolls gluten-free?

To make gluten-free rolls, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum or another binding agent. You may need to adjust the liquid content slightly to achieve the right dough consistency, as gluten-free flours absorb moisture differently.

What can I use instead of cream cheese in the frosting?

If you prefer not to use cream cheese, you can substitute it with mascarpone cheese for a similar texture. Alternatively, you can make a simple buttercream frosting by mixing butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a splash of milk or cream for a smoother consistency.

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