Here’s a delightful recipe for Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls plump, fluffy rolls filled with sweet strawberry flavor and topped with a lush cream-cheese or strawberry glaze. I’ve combined techniques from multiple trusted sources for a well-balanced result.
🍓 Ingredients (makes ~8–12 rolls)
Strawberry Filling
-
9–12 oz (250–300 g) fresh strawberries, diced or sliced
-
2–3 Tbsp granulated or brown sugar
-
½–1 tsp ground cinnamon
-
1 Tbsp cornstarch (optional for thickening)
-
1–2 Tbsp water or lemon juice (helps syrup form)
Yeast Dough
-
½–¾ cup (120–180 ml) warm milk or water (about 105–110 °F)
-
2¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry or instant yeast
-
¼–⅓ cup sugar
-
1 egg
-
¼–⅓ cup melted or softened butter
-
Salt – about 1 tsp
-
2¼–3¾ cups all-purpose or bread flour (adjust as needed)
-
Option A: Strawberry‑Vanilla Glaze
-
1 cup powdered sugar
-
~¼ cup pureed strawberries
-
1 tsp vanilla extract
-
Pinch of salt
-
-
Option B: Cream Cheese Frosting with Strawberry Flavor
-
½ cup (ungeblocked) cream cheese, room temp
-
¼ cup butter, softened
-
1 cup powdered sugar (or more to taste)
-
1 Tbsp strawberry filling (reserved) or extract
-
Splash of milk for consistency
-
👩🍳 Method
1. Make the filling and dough
-
Simmer strawberries with sugar, cinnamon, and lemon or water until juicy. Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook briefly to thicken. Cool completely.
-
Meanwhile, proof yeast in warm liquid with a bit of sugar until foamy (~5–10 mins), if using active dry yeast.
-
Mix in sugar, egg, butter, salt, and most flour until dough forms. Knead 5–7 min until smooth and springy. Let rise until doubled (~1 hour)
2. Shape the rolls
-
Roll dough into a rectangle (~10×14″). Spread softened butter, sprinkle cinnamon-sugar, then evenly spread cooled strawberry filling.
-
Roll tightly, pinch seam, and slice into 8–12 evenly sized rolls. Place cut‑side up in a greased pan. Cover and let rise again until nearly doubled (~30–50 min).
3. Bake
-
Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C).
-
Bake rolls for 25–35 minutes until golden and cooked through (center ~195 °F if you have a thermometer).
4. Prepare the icing
-
While baking (or cooling), whisk your chosen glaze or frosting ingredients: combine powdered sugar, strawberry puree or reserved filling, vanilla, cream cheese/butter, and milk as needed until smooth.
5. Assemble and serve
-
Spread or drizzle icing generously over warm rolls. Garnish with fresh sliced strawberries or a sprinkle of cinnamon if desired.
🕒 Timeline Summary
| Step | Time Estimate |
|---|---|
| Prep & proof yeast | ~10 minutes |
| Dough mixing & kneading | ~15 minutes |
| First rise | ~1 hour |
| Filling prep | ~10 minutes (cooling) |
| Shaping & second rise | ~40 minutes |
| Baking | 25–35 minutes |
| Icing & serving | ~5–10 minutes |
| Total | ~2¼ to 3 hours |
💡 Tips & Variations
-
Tangzhong method (slurry) can yield extra-soft rolls that stay moist longer.
-
If the strawberry sauce is too loose, cook it longer or add more cornstarch.
-
Dough can be made ahead, refrigerated overnight after shaping, and baked fresh in the morning.
-
For a shortcut, some recipes use puff pastry or crescent dough for faster assembly.
🌟 Pro Variants & Fun Ideas
-
Use both fresh strawberries and strawberry jam layered in filling for extra flavor and gooiness.
-
Try strawberry‑orange glaze or a light lemon curd swirl for a bright twist.
-
Top with freeze-dried strawberry pieces for texture and visual appeal.
✅ Final Thoughts
These Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls blend classic cinnamon dough with fresh, fruity sweetness for a brunch-worthy treat. Rich in flavor and tender in texture, they’re perfect for gatherings—or just satisfying a craving.