Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls Recipe
If you love indulgent brunch treats and are always on the hunt for a show-stopping bake, let me introduce you to Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls. These blissful rolls are everything you crave in a classic cinnamon roll, but with creamy cheesecake layers and bursts of sweet, juicy strawberries tucked inside. They’re impossibly soft, swirled with a jammy filling and rich cream cheese, and finished with a dreamy glaze. Whether you serve them for a special breakfast or sneak them in as dessert, Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls are guaranteed to become a fast favorite with anyone lucky enough to get a bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for pantry staples and a few special touches to bring out the full magic of Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls. Each ingredient truly pulls its weight, contributing to the dough’s irresistible fluffiness, the creamy filling, or that signature Cinnabon-worthy swirl.
- Warm milk (¾ cup, 110°F): Provides moisture and just the right temperature to activate the yeast, yielding a pillowy dough.
- Instant yeast (2¼ teaspoons, 1 packet): Powers the lift for those classic, sky-high rolls everyone loves.
- Granulated sugar (¼ cup + ¼ cup): Adds gentle sweetness to the dough and heightens the flavor of the strawberry filling.
- Large egg (1): Helps bind the dough while adding a rich, tender texture.
- Unsalted butter (¼ cup, melted): Brings a buttery flavor and keeps the rolls soft and lush.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Balances sweetness and deepens flavor throughout every layer.
- All-purpose flour (3 cups): The backbone of the dough, giving your rolls their signature structure.
- Strawberry jam (½ cup): Delivers concentrated berry flavor for a jammy swirl you’ll love.
- Fresh strawberries, diced (½ cup): Add pops of bright, juicy freshness in every bite.
- Cornstarch (1 tablespoon): Helps thicken the strawberry filling for less mess and more lusciousness.
- Cream cheese (8 oz for filling + 4 oz for glaze): Creates that classic cheesecake richness inside the rolls and in the velvety glaze on top.
- Butter, softened (2 tablespoons for glaze): Ensures the glaze is creamy and spreadable.
- Powdered sugar (1 cup): Sweetens the glaze and helps it melt sumptuously over the warm rolls.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Rounds out the flavors with a touch of bakery-style warmth.
- Milk (1–2 tablespoons for glaze): Thins the glaze to the perfect drizzle consistency.
How to Make Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls
Step 1: Make the Dough
First, grab a large mixing bowl and whisk together the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let this mixture rest until it’s foamy—the sign your yeast is alive and ready to go! Then add in the egg, melted butter, salt, and flour. Stir everything together until a soft dough forms, then transfer to a floured surface and knead for 5 to 7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Pop that beauty into a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for about an hour, or until it’s doubled in size and begging to be shaped.
Step 2: Prepare the Fruity Cheesecake Filling
While the dough is getting nice and fluffy, stir your diced fresh strawberries together with sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl. This keeps the berries juicy but not runny—so essential for neat, jammy swirls. In another bowl, beat the cream cheese until creamy and spreadable; this will make layering a breeze when assembling the Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls.
Step 3: Roll, Fill, and Slice
Turn out your risen dough and roll it into a 10×14-inch rectangle. Spread the smooth cream cheese evenly over the surface, leaving a small border. Next, slather on the strawberry jam, getting it right to the edges for maximum flavor. Spoon the strawberry mixture on top in an even layer. Starting from a longest side, tightly roll the dough into a log. Then, using a sharp knife or dental floss, slice into 12 equal rolls. You’ll see all those beautiful strawberry and cheesecake swirls!
Step 4: Second Rise and Baking
Nestle your rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, cover, and let them rise again for about 30 minutes—this ensures they puff up light and fluffy as they bake. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F. Once risen, slide them into the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. You’re looking for golden tops and that signature pillowy softness in the centers.
Step 5: Make and Spread the Cream Cheese Glaze
While the rolls are baking, beat together cream cheese, softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and just enough milk to make the glaze smooth and silky. While the Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls are still warm, slather on this dreamy glaze so it melts right into the swirls and every bite is equal parts tangy, creamy, and sweet.
How to Serve Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls
Garnishes
To really make your Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls pop, scatter a few extra diced fresh strawberries or a sprinkle of lemon zest over the warm, glazed rolls. Even a dusting of powdered sugar adds a pretty bakery finish. If you’re feeling fancy, a sprig of mint can turn each roll into a showpiece.
Side Dishes
These rolls are absolutely dreamy alongside a creamy latte or a big mug of hot coffee. For balance, try serving with a bowl of Greek yogurt or a platter of mixed fruit. If you’re making brunch for a crowd, pair your Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls with something savory like scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, or a spinach frittata to round things out.
Creative Ways to Present
For a playful twist, tuck a roll into a sundae glass with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzle with extra strawberry sauce. Arrange them on a tiered cake stand for a brunch centerpiece, or wrap individual rolls in parchment and tie with twine for an edible gift. Serving family-style from the baking dish, right out of the oven, invites everyone to help themselves to the gooey, glazed goodness!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls left (good luck!), cover the dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to three days. The cream cheese filling and glaze stay soft and delicious, making midnight snacking highly encouraged!
Freezing
Want to enjoy fresh-baked rolls any time? Freeze the unbaked, shaped rolls right in the pan (skip the second rise), tightly wrapped, for up to a month. When ready to bake, defrost in the refrigerator overnight, let rise at room temperature, then bake as usual. You can also freeze baked rolls; just cool fully, wrap individually, and freeze for up to two months.
Reheating
To reheat, microwave individual rolls for 15–30 seconds until soft and gooey again. For a crowd, cover the pan with foil and warm in a 300°F oven for 10–15 minutes. If you’ve frozen the rolls, let them thaw overnight in the fridge before warming. Either way, they taste like you just pulled them from the oven.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
Yes! Just thaw and drain frozen strawberries to remove excess water before mixing with sugar and cornstarch. This helps maintain that dreamy, jammy filling inside the Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls.
Can I make these the night before?
Definitely. After shaping the rolls and placing them in the pan, cover and chill overnight. In the morning, let them sit at room temperature for about 45 minutes before baking as usual for fresh-baked flavor without the morning stress.
How do I prevent the filling from leaking out?
Be sure to roll the dough tightly and slice with a gentle, sawing motion. Lining the bottom of your pan with a piece of parchment paper can also make cleanup easier in case any filling bubbles over—plus, a little ooze is part of their charm!
Is the glaze too sweet with the rolls?
The cream cheese glaze is designed to perfectly balance the sweetness of the jam and the tang of the cheesecake filling, so it doesn’t overwhelm the rolls. You can always adjust the sugar or glaze thickness to your personal taste.
Can I make these gluten free?
Yes, you can swap in a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the classic flour. Just check the dough texture as you go; some gluten-free blends may require a tablespoon or two more liquid or flour for the right consistency.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to wow your family and friends, whip up a batch of Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls! They’re the kind of bake that brings everyone to the table, tempting with both looks and absolutely irresistible flavor. Try them for your next brunch, dessert, or whenever you want a sweet treat to share—you’ll be hooked from the very first bite.
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Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours (including rise time)
- Yield: 12 rolls 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful combination of sweet strawberries, creamy cheesecake, and soft cinnamon rolls with this recipe for Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, these rolls are sure to impress!
Ingredients
For the dough:
- ¾ cup warm milk (110°F)
- 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast (1 packet)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
For the filling:
- ½ cup strawberry jam
- ½ cup diced fresh strawberries
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
For the cream cheese glaze:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (as needed for consistency)
Instructions
- Dough Preparation: In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit until foamy. Add egg, melted butter, salt, and flour. Knead until smooth, then let rise.
- Filling: Mix diced strawberries, sugar, and cornstarch. Beat cream cheese until smooth.
- Assembly: Roll out dough, spread cream cheese, jam, and strawberry mixture. Roll up, slice, place in baking dish, and let rise.
- Baking: Bake rolls until golden brown.
- Glaze: Make glaze by mixing cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk. Spread over warm rolls.
Notes
- Enhance flavor with a hint of lemon zest.
- Best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 23g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
