Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls (Printable)
Soft fluffy rolls with cinnamon sugar and fresh strawberries, topped with creamy glaze.
# What You Need:
→ Dough
01 - 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - ¼ cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
04 - ½ tsp salt
05 - ¾ cup warm milk
06 - ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
07 - 1 large egg
→ Filling
08 - ⅔ cup brown sugar, packed
09 - 1 ½ tbsp ground cinnamon
10 - ⅓ cup unsalted butter, softened
11 - 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, diced
12 - 2 tsp cornstarch
→ Cream Cheese Glaze
13 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
14 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
15 - 1 cup powdered sugar
16 - ½ tsp vanilla extract
17 - 2–3 tbsp milk
# How To Make It:
01 - Combine warm milk and yeast in a large bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes until mixture becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
02 - Add melted butter, granulated sugar, egg, and salt to the yeast mixture. Whisk until well combined. Gradually incorporate flour, mixing until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.
03 - Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm area for 1 hour until doubled in size.
04 - Toss diced strawberries with cornstarch in a small bowl until evenly coated. Set aside. In a separate bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon until thoroughly combined.
05 - Roll risen dough into a 16x12-inch rectangle. Spread softened butter evenly over the surface. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture across the dough, then distribute cornstarch-coated strawberries over the top.
06 - Starting from the long edge, roll dough tightly into a log. Cut into 12 equal pieces using a sharp knife or dough cutter.
07 - Place rolls in a greased 9x13-inch baking pan, leaving space between each. Cover and let rise for 30-45 minutes until puffy and nearly doubled.
08 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake rolls for 22-25 minutes until golden brown on top and filling is bubbling around the edges. Allow to cool in pan for 10 minutes.
09 - While rolls cool, beat cream cheese and softened butter until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until combined. Gradually stir in milk until glaze reaches desired pourable consistency.
10 - Spread warm glaze evenly over slightly cooled rolls. Serve immediately while still warm for best texture and flavor.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The fresh strawberries create these incredible pockets of jammy sweetness as they bake, making every bite different from the last
- That cream cheese glaze is thick enough to hold its shape but soft enough to melt into all the warm crevices
- These freeze beautifully before baking, so you can wake up to homemade rolls on busy weekdays
02 -
- The strawberry filling can make the dough slightly slippery to roll, so use a light touch and keep your work surface well floured
- If your rolls are getting too dark before they are cooked through, tent them with foil for the last 5-10 minutes of baking
03 -
- Add a teaspoon of orange zest to your glaze for a bright, citrusy flavor that cuts through the richness
- For extra cinnamon flavor, sprinkle a dusting of cinnamon sugar over the glaze while it is still wet