There's something magical about pulling apart a warm strawberry cinnamon roll, watching the cream cheese icing drip down the sides while the sweet strawberry filling peeks through every swirl. I've been making these strawberry cinnamon rolls for years, and they never fail to bring smiles to my kitchen table. The combination of fluffy dough, fresh strawberries, and aromatic cinnamon creates a breakfast treat that's simply unforgettable.
These homemade strawberry cinnamon rolls aren't just another recipe; they're a game-changer for anyone who loves the classic cinnamon roll but craves something fruity and fresh. Whether you're planning a special brunch or just want to elevate your weekend breakfast, these strawberry cinnamon rolls deliver bakery-quality results right from your home oven.
A Fresh Twist on a Classic Favorite
What makes these strawberry cinnamon rolls stand out from traditional versions is the beautiful marriage of tart-sweet strawberries with warm cinnamon spice. While classic cinnamon rolls are delicious, adding fresh strawberries brings a burst of natural sweetness and moisture that takes them to another level. The strawberry filling caramelizes slightly during baking, creating pockets of jammy goodness that complement the fluffy, buttery dough perfectly. This recipe uses simple techniques that even beginner bakers can master, yet the results look and taste impressively professional.
The secret behind these exceptional strawberry cinnamon rolls lies in the quality of ingredients and the patience to let the dough rise properly. Using fresh strawberries instead of jam gives you control over sweetness and texture, while the cream cheese frosting adds tangy richness that balances the fruit beautifully. These strawberry sweet rolls have become my go-to recipe for special occasions, holiday mornings, and whenever I want to treat my family to something extraordinary.
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Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Active dry yeast
- Whole milk
- Granulated sugar
- Unsalted butter
- Eggs
- Salt
- Fresh strawberries
- Brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Cornstarch
- Vanilla extract
- Cream cheese
- Powdered sugar
- Heavy cream
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Prepare the Dough
- Warm the milk until lukewarm and dissolve yeast with a pinch of sugar
- Mix flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl
- Add melted butter, eggs, and yeast mixture to form a soft dough
- Knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic
- Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled (about 1 hour)
Make the Strawberry Filling and Assemble
- Dice fresh strawberries and cook with sugar and cornstarch until thickened
- Roll out dough into a large rectangle on a floured surface
- Spread softened butter over the dough, then sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mixture
- Spread the cooled strawberry filling evenly over the surface
- Roll tightly from the long edge and cut into 12 equal pieces
- Place rolls in a greased baking pan, leaving space between each
- Cover and let rise for 30-45 minutes
Bake and Frost
- Preheat oven and bake rolls until golden brown (about 25-30 minutes)
- Let cool for 10 minutes while preparing cream cheese frosting
- Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until fluffy
- Spread generous amounts of frosting over warm rolls
- Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor
Equipment For Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls
- Stand mixer or large mixing bowl
- Rolling pin
- Sharp knife or dental floss for cutting
- 9x13 inch baking pan
- Small saucepan for strawberry filling
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Clean kitchen towels for covering dough
- Offset spatula for frosting
Expert Cooking Tips
- Use room temperature ingredients for the best dough texture and easier mixing
- Don't skip the double rise; it creates the fluffy, soft texture that makes these rolls irresistible
- Cook your strawberry filling until thick to prevent soggy rolls
- Use unflavored dental floss to cut rolls cleanly without squishing them
- Pour a splash of heavy cream over assembled rolls before the second rise for extra moisture
- Check rolls at 20 minutes; ovens vary and you want golden brown, not dark
- Make the dough the night before and refrigerate for an easy morning bake
- Warm leftover rolls in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to refresh them
Recipe Variations
- Swap fresh strawberries for other berries like blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries
- Add white chocolate chips to the filling for extra decadence
- Make strawberry cream cheese cinnamon rolls by adding cream cheese chunks to the filling
- Try a strawberry glaze instead of cream cheese frosting using powdered sugar and strawberry puree
- Create sourdough strawberry cinnamon rolls by using discard in place of some flour
- Make mini rolls by cutting the dough log into 18 pieces instead of 12
- Add lemon zest to the dough for a bright, citrusy note
- Top with a strawberry crunch topping before baking for added texture
- Make them vegan by using plant-based milk, butter, and cream cheese alternatives
Storage
- Store cooled rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days
- Refrigerate frosted rolls for up to 5 days; bring to room temperature before serving
- Freeze unfrosted baked rolls wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to 3 months
- Freeze unbaked assembled rolls on a baking sheet, then transfer to freezer bags for up to 2 months
- Thaw frozen baked rolls overnight in the refrigerator
- Reheat individual rolls in the microwave for 20-30 seconds
- Warm multiple rolls in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes covered with foil
The Game-Changing Secrets Behind Perfect Rolls
Here's what professional bakers know that home cooks often miss: the temperature of your ingredients matters tremendously when making strawberry cinnamon rolls. Cold butter won't incorporate properly, cold milk can kill your yeast, and room temperature eggs create a smoother, more cohesive dough. I always set out my ingredients an hour before baking to ensure everything is at the ideal temperature. This simple step makes the difference between good rolls and absolutely spectacular ones.
Another secret is the strawberry filling consistency. Many recipes simply spread raw strawberries and sugar, but cooking them down first concentrates the flavor and prevents excess moisture from making your strawberry cinnamon rolls soggy. I add just a touch of cornstarch to create a jammy consistency that stays put during rolling and baking. The filling should be spreadable but not runny; thick enough to coat a spoon. This technique ensures every bite has that perfect strawberry flavor without compromising the fluffy texture we all love.
FAQ
Do cinnamon and strawberry go together?
Absolutely! Cinnamon and strawberry create a delicious flavor combination that's both familiar and exciting. The warm, spicy notes of cinnamon beautifully complement the sweet-tart flavor of fresh strawberries. When you make strawberry cinnamon rolls, the cinnamon enhances the fruit's natural sweetness without overpowering it, while the strawberries add fruity brightness to the warm spice. This classic pairing works wonderfully in sweet rolls.
What does pouring heavy cream on cinnamon rolls do?
Pouring heavy cream over strawberry cinnamon rolls before baking creates incredibly moist, tender rolls with a caramelized bottom. The cream seeps between rolls as they bake, preventing drying and creating a delicious sauce. Use about half a cup poured over assembled strawberry cinnamon rolls right before baking. This bakery secret ensures your rolls stay soft for days with that professional texture everyone loves.
What is a dirty cinnamon roll?
A dirty cinnamon roll is a loaded version where you add extra filling ingredients between layers, creating a more indulgent treat. For strawberry cinnamon rolls, this means adding cream cheese chunks, white chocolate chips, or extra strawberry pieces throughout. The term refers to the messy, over-the-top nature; they're packed with filling and gloriously messy to eat. It's all about maximizing flavor in your strawberry cinnamon rolls.
Does Pillsbury make strawberry cinnamon rolls?
Pillsbury has offered strawberry cinnamon rolls as limited-edition products seasonally, but availability varies by location and they're not always in stock. However, homemade strawberry cinnamon rolls are far superior, offering fresh strawberry flavor, customizable sweetness, and incredible texture. Making strawberry cinnamon rolls from scratch takes more time, but delivers fluffy, flavorful rolls with real fruit and quality ingredients that taste artisan-made.
Expand Your Breakfast Repertoire
Once you've mastered these strawberry cinnamon rolls, you'll want to explore other homemade bread recipes that bring bakery-quality results to your kitchen. The Recipe for Texas Roadhouse Rolls offers another sweet bread option that's perfect for dinner; these famous rolls are soft, slightly sweet, and brushed with honey butter that melts into every bite. They use similar yeast dough techniques to strawberry cinnamon rolls, so the skills you've learned here transfer perfectly.
For a savory twist that complements your sweet roll expertise, try the Must-Try Cheddar Cheese Bread Recipe. This pull-apart bread is loaded with sharp cheddar and herbs, creating a completely different but equally impressive result from working with yeast dough. Whether you're serving these strawberry cinnamon rolls for a special breakfast, bringing them to a brunch gathering, or simply treating your family to something extraordinary, you now have the knowledge to create bakery-worthy results at home. The combination of fresh strawberries, warm cinnamon, and fluffy homemade dough in these strawberry cinnamon rolls will make them a requested favorite for years to come.
From my kitchen, with heart.
Emily Nelson ❤️
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls
Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls
Equipment
- 1 Stand mixer or mixing bowl For kneading dough
- 1 Rolling pin To roll out the dough evenly
- 1 Sharp knife or dental floss For cutting clean rolls
- 1 9x13 inch baking pan Greased
- 1 Small saucepan To make strawberry filling
- — Measuring cups/spoons For accuracy
- — Kitchen towel To cover dough while rising
- 1 Offset spatula For spreading frosting
Ingredients
- 4 cups All-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoon Active dry yeast 1 packet
- 1 cup Whole milk Warm, not hot
- ¼ cup Granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup Unsalted butter Melted
- 2 large Eggs Room temperature
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 2 cups Fresh strawberries Diced
- ½ cup Brown sugar For filling
- 2 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon Cornstarch Thickens strawberry filling
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 4 oz Cream cheese Softened
- ½ cup Powdered sugar For frosting
- 2 tablespoon Heavy cream Optional for richer texture
- ½ cup Unsalted butter Softened, for frosting
Instructions
- Warm milk, dissolve yeast with sugar.
- Mix flour, sugar, salt, butter, eggs, and yeast mixture.
- Knead dough until smooth, let rise 1 hr.
- Cook diced strawberries with sugar and cornstarch until thick.
- Roll out dough, spread butter and cinnamon sugar.
- Add strawberry filling, roll up, cut into 12 pieces.
- Place rolls in pan, let rise again 30–45 mins.
- Bake 25–30 mins at 350°F until golden.
- Mix frosting ingredients, spread on warm rolls.
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