Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls (Printable Version)
Fluffy rolls filled with strawberry-cinnamon goodness and cream cheese frosting
# What You'll Need:
→ Dough
01 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
03 - 1 cup whole milk, lukewarm
04 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
05 - 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 1/2 tsp salt
→ Filling
08 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, finely chopped
09 - 2/3 cup brown sugar, packed
10 - 2 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
11 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
→ Cream Cheese Glaze
12 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
13 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
14 - 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
15 - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
16 - 2-3 tbsp milk
# Directions:
01 - Combine lukewarm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of sugar in a large bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes until mixture becomes frothy and bubbly.
02 - Add remaining sugar, softened butter, eggs, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix thoroughly. Gradually incorporate flour, mixing until a soft, sticky dough forms.
03 - Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Transfer to a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm area for 1 hour until doubled in size.
04 - While dough rises, combine brown sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Mix well and set aside.
05 - Punch down risen dough and roll out on a floured surface to a 16x12-inch rectangle. Spread softened butter evenly over surface, sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mixture, then distribute chopped strawberries uniformly.
06 - Starting from a long edge, roll dough tightly into a log. Using a sharp knife or dough scraper, cut into 12 equal slices. Arrange rolls in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, cut side up.
07 - Cover baking dish with a clean towel and let rolls rise for 30 minutes until puffy. Preheat oven to 350°F during the last 10 minutes of rising time.
08 - Bake rolls for 23-25 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. The tops should spring back lightly when touched.
09 - While rolls bake, beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk. Continue beating until glaze reaches spreadable consistency.
10 - Allow rolls to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Spread warm cream cheese glaze evenly over the rolls. Serve immediately while still warm for the best texture and flavor.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The fresh strawberries add natural sweetness and a burst of fruity flavor that cuts through all that rich dough
- These freeze beautifully before baking, so you can wake up to homemade rolls on busy weekdays
02 -
- Chopping strawberries too large creates weird gaps in your dough spirals and makes the rolls harder to slice cleanly.
- Letting the dough rise in a turned-off oven with just the light on creates the perfect warm, draft-free environment.
03 -
- Use unflavored dental floss to slice the dough log, it cuts cleaner than a knife and will not squish those beautiful spirals.
- Place your baking dish on a parchment-lined sheet pan to catch any fruit bubbling over during baking.