Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze are an irresistible bakery treat that’s guaranteed to brighten your breakfast or brunch spread. Imagine pillowy, swirled buns filled with a juicy burst of fresh strawberries and sweet jam, all enveloped in a gentle hint of cinnamon; then, as if that weren’t enough, each roll is crowned with a dreamy, strawberry-flecked cream cheese glaze. This magical twist on the classic cinnamon roll is bursting with color and flavor, and it’s destined to become your new special-occasion favorite!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
Just a handful of kitchen staples and some fresh strawberries come together to make Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze truly unforgettable. Each ingredient pulls its weight to give you a pan of soft, tender, and vibrant sweet rolls that will disappear before you know it.
- All-purpose flour: This is the backbone of our luxurious, fluffy dough.
- Granulated sugar: Brings sweetness to both the dough and overall roll.
- Instant yeast: Makes the dough rise high, soft, and airy every time.
- Salt: Just a dash, to round out the flavors and balance the sweetness.
- Warm milk (100–110°F): Activates the yeast and adds tenderness to the dough.
- Unsalted butter (melted and softened): For plush, melt-in-your-mouth texture in both the dough and the glaze.
- Large egg: Adds richness and beautiful structure to the dough.
- Strawberry jam (and extra for the glaze): Delivers a wallop of berry flavor and creates that gorgeous, glossy swirl.
- Fresh strawberries: Bright pops of real fruit make every bite juicy and vibrant.
- Cornstarch: Gently thickens the filling, so every swirl stays perfectly in place—no leaks!
- Cinnamon (optional): Adds a warm, familiar note that complements the strawberries beautifully.
- Cream cheese: The heart of the glaze—smooth, tangy, and irresistible.
- Powdered sugar: Dissolves right in for a luscious, pourable glaze.
- Milk: Loosens the glaze to the perfect spreadable consistency.
- Vanilla extract: Adds aromatic depth and brings the glaze together.
How to Make Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze
Step 1: Make the Dough
Begin by mixing the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, instant yeast, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add in the warm milk, melted butter, and the egg, then mix everything together until it forms a shaggy dough. Knead the dough for about 8–10 minutes (by hand or with a dough hook) until it turns smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise somewhere cozy for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size and looks fabulously puffy.
Step 2: Prepare the Strawberry Filling
While your dough is rising, make the strawberry filling. In a small saucepan, gently heat the strawberry jam, chopped fresh strawberries, and cornstarch over medium heat, stirring frequently. In just 3–5 minutes, the mixture will thicken slightly and become glossy—making it easy to spread and swirl. Let it cool completely before moving on; this keeps your rolls neat when assembling.
Step 3: Roll and Fill the Dough
Once the dough has doubled, turn it out onto a floured surface and roll it into a rectangle about 10×16 inches. Spread the cooled strawberry filling evenly over the surface, right up to the edges, to make sure every bite is filled with fruit. Carefully roll the dough up tightly, starting from a long edge, like a jelly roll. Slice into 12 even pieces—dental floss works wonders here!—and place the rolls into a greased baking dish.
Step 4: Second Rise
Cover your baking dish with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel, and let the Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze do a second rise for about 30–45 minutes. They’ll puff up beautifully and snuggle in together, primed for the oven.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Slide your tray of rolls in the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, until the tops are golden brown and the strawberry filling is bubbling slightly at the edges. The whole kitchen will smell incredible and inviting!
Step 6: Make and Spread the Cream Cheese Glaze
While the rolls are cooling ever so slightly, whip up the glaze. Beat together the softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and strawberry jam until smooth and glossy. The touch of strawberry jam tints the glaze beautifully and makes it sing with berry flavor. Slather this strawberry cream cheese glaze over the warm rolls, allowing it to melt into all those swirly nooks and crannies.
How to Serve Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze
Garnishes
For an extra pop of color and freshness, top your Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze with sliced fresh strawberries, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, or even a few edible flowers. If you love a little crunch, scatter lightly toasted sliced almonds on top—their nutty flavor pairs beautifully with the berries.
Side Dishes
Pair these indulgent rolls with a side of Greek yogurt and fresh fruit salad for a brunch that hits every note, or serve alongside a savory egg bake or crispy bacon for a sweet-salty balance. They also taste fabulous with a cup of strong coffee or fruity iced tea.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze in a round baking dish so they pull apart in an eye-catching, bakery-style presentation. For brunch parties, place each roll in a cute cupcake liner and display on a tiered stand. You can also drizzle a little extra glaze in a zigzag pattern for an artistic, showstopping finish.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If any rolls manage to survive breakfast, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 4 days. The rolls stay luscious and soft, and the glaze will keep them moist.
Freezing
You can freeze Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze (either before or after baking) for a taste of sunshine even when strawberries are out of season. Freeze the unbaked, shaped rolls in a pan (covered tightly with plastic wrap and foil), then thaw and bake when you’re ready. For already-baked rolls, freeze them with or without glaze; just wrap tightly in plastic and foil for up to 2 months.
Reheating
To reheat, simply microwave individual rolls for 20–30 seconds, or warm a pan loosely covered with foil in a 300°F oven until heated through. If the glaze has set, add a fresh drizzle after warming to make every bite creamy and decadent again.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries for the filling?
Absolutely! If using frozen strawberries, simply thaw them fully and drain off excess liquid before chopping and adding them to the filling. The flavor will still be lively and delicious.
What if I don’t have instant yeast?
You can use active dry yeast instead. Just bloom it in the warm milk with a pinch of sugar for 5 minutes before adding to your dry ingredients.
How can I make these rolls vegan?
Try swapping in plant-based butter and milk, use a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax mixed with 2.5 tbsp water), and choose vegan cream cheese for the glaze. The results are just as cozy and colorful!
What if I want less sweetness?
Cut the sugar in the dough by a tablespoon and choose a low-sugar or homemade strawberry jam for the filling and glaze. You can also use less powdered sugar in the glaze without affecting the texture too much.
Can I prepare the rolls the night before?
Yes! After shaping and arranging your rolls in the pan, cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let them come to room temperature and complete their second rise before baking as usual.
Final Thoughts
If you’re on the hunt for that one showstopping brunch treat everyone will rave about, Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze are the answer! These swirly, strawberry-packed delights have the power to turn an ordinary morning into the sweetest celebration. Let yourself indulge—you deserve it!
Print
Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe
- Total Time: 3 hours
- Yield: 12 rolls 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, fluffy, and bursting with fresh strawberry flavor, these sweet rolls are swirled with strawberry jam and juicy fruit, then covered in a creamy, pink-tinged glaze. Ideal for spring brunches, Valentine’s Day, or summer mornings.
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup warm milk (100-110°F)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
For the strawberry filling:
- 1 1/4 cups strawberry jam (or strawberry compote)
- 1 cup finely chopped fresh strawberries
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (to thicken filling)
- 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
For the glaze:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tbsp milk
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp strawberry jam (for color/flavor)
Instructions
- Make the dough: In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Add warm milk, melted butter, and egg. Mix and knead until smooth (8–10 minutes by hand or with dough hook). Let rise 1–1.5 hours until doubled.
- Make the filling: In a saucepan, heat jam, fresh strawberries, and cornstarch over medium heat until slightly thickened (3–5 minutes). Cool before using.
- Roll & fill: Roll dough into a 10×16-inch rectangle. Spread cooled filling evenly across. Roll up tightly from the long edge. Cut into 12 rolls.
- Second rise: Arrange rolls in a greased baking dish. Cover and let rise 30–45 minutes.
- Bake: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes, until golden and bubbling.
- Glaze: Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and strawberry jam until smooth. Spread over warm rolls.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 50mg