Strawberry Cheesecake Rolls Recipe — Soft & Fruity Cinnamon Rolls
These strawberry cheesecake cinnamon rolls are soft, fluffy, and swirled with a luscious cheesecake filling and juicy strawberries. The perfect brunch or dessert treat that’s easy to make and impossible to resist!
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- ¾ cup warm milk
- 2 ¼ tsp instant yeast
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter melted and cooled
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 3 ½ – 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ lb fresh strawberries chopped
For the Strawberry Topping:
- 12 large strawberries halved
- 4 tbsp granulated sugar
Instructions
Prepare the Dough
- In a small bowl, mix warm milk, yeast, and 1 tbsp sugar. Let sit for 10 minutes until frothy. If it doesn’t foam, the yeast is inactive, and you’ll need to restart with fresh yeast.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 ½ cups flour, melted butter, vanilla extract, and sugar. Stir to combine.
- Gradually pour in the milk mixture while stirring. The dough will look clumpy at this stage—this is normal!
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Flour a clean surface and knead the dough for about 6 minutes. If too sticky, add a sprinkle of flour (no more than ¼ cup). The dough should become smooth and elastic.
- Lightly grease a bowl, place the dough inside, and cover with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap.
- Let the dough rise in a warm area for 1 hour, or until doubled in size. Tip: Place it near a warm oven with the door slightly cracked open for a quicker rise.
Roll and Fill the Dough
- Once the dough has risen, lightly flour your work surface.
- Roll out the dough into a large 16×14-inch rectangle.
- In a bowl, mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Spread the cheesecake filling evenly over the dough.
- Sprinkle chopped strawberries over the cream cheese layer.
- Roll the dough into a log, trimming uneven edges if needed.
- Slice the log into 12 equal pieces and place them in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cover and let the rolls rise for another 30 minutes.
Bake the Rolls
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden brown.
Prepare the Strawberry Topping
- In a saucepan, combine halved strawberries and sugar.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- After 8 minutes, mash the strawberries slightly.
- Continue cooking for another 5 minutes until the mixture thickens.
- Pour over the warm rolls.
Notes
Tips for the Best Strawberry Cheesecake Rolls
- Make Ahead – You can prep the dough the night before and refrigerate it overnight. Let it come to room temperature before rolling.
- Fresh vs. Frozen Strawberries – Fresh strawberries work best, but if using frozen, make sure to thaw and drain excess liquid.
- Extra Toppings – Try a drizzle of vanilla glaze or sprinkle crushed graham crackers for a cheesecake-inspired twist.
- Storage – Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Warm them slightly before serving for the best texture!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!