Soft Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls (Printable)
Soft fluffy dough spirals filled with fresh strawberries and warm cinnamon, topped with creamy vanilla glaze for an irresistible morning treat.
# What You Need:
→ Dough
01 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) 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 teaspoon salt
→ Filling
08 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, finely chopped
09 - 2/3 cup brown sugar, packed
10 - 2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
11 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
→ Cream Cheese Glaze
12 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
13 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
14 - 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
15 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
16 - 2-3 tablespoons milk
# How To Cook:
01 - Combine lukewarm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon 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 yeast mixture. Whisk until well combined. Gradually incorporate flour, mixing until soft dough forms.
03 - Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in greased bowl, cover, and let rise in warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
04 - Mix brown sugar and ground cinnamon in small bowl until evenly blended.
05 - Punch down risen dough. Roll out on floured surface to 16x12-inch rectangle. Spread softened butter evenly over surface. Sprinkle cinnamon-sugar mixture, then distribute chopped strawberries.
06 - Starting from long edge, roll dough tightly into log. Cut into 12 equal slices. Place rolls cut-side up in greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
07 - Cover baking dish and let rolls rise for 30 minutes until puffy. Preheat oven to 350°F during final rise time.
08 - Bake for 23-25 minutes until golden brown and center is fully cooked. Remove from oven when tops are lightly browned and springs back when touched.
09 - Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk. Continue beating until creamy and spreadable consistency is achieved.
10 - Let rolls cool in pan for 10 minutes. Spread warm glaze evenly over rolls. Serve immediately while still warm.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The strawberry juice creates these gorgeous pink streaks throughout the swirls, like little ribbons of surprise in every bite.
- That cream cheese glaze thickens up perfectly on warm rolls, so you get those heavenly drips down the sides.
- The fresh fruit keeps the filling from being cloyingly sweet, balancing all that brown sugar with something bright.
02 -
- Fresh strawberries release moisture as they bake, so do not be alarmed if there is some strawberry juice at the bottom of the pan, it creates this amazing syrupy situation.
- If your kitchen is on the cooler side, find a warm spot for the dough to rise, like near a preheating oven or on top of the refrigerator.
- The glaze sets up quickly once it hits warm rolls, so work fast and spread it while it is still fluid for that professional bakery look.
03 -
- Use unflavored dental floss to slice the rolls, sliding it under the dough log, crossing the ends over the top, and pulling through for perfect cuts without squishing.
- Line your baking dish with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides, for easy cleanup and easier removal of the first roll.