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strawberry cheesecake filling, sweet dough, cream cheese frosting, decadent dessert, simple recipe, homemade sweet rolls

Soft and Irresistible Strawberry Cheesecake Sweet Rolls Recipe


  • Author: Elisa
  • Total Time: 2H30
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

These strawberry cheesecake sweet rolls are soft, fruity, and creamy—perfect for brunch or dessert any time.


Ingredients

Scale

For the dough:

  • 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F)

  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)

  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar

  • ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted

  • 2 large eggs

  • 4 to 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour

  • ½ teaspoon salt

For the cream cheese filling:

  • 1 block (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the strawberry filling:

  • 1 ½ cups chopped strawberries (fresh or frozen)

  • 2 tablespoons sugar

  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch

  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

For the glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar

  • 2 to 3 tablespoons milk or cream

  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract


Instructions

Start by activating the yeast. In a large bowl, combine the warm milk with the sugar and sprinkle the yeast over the top. Let it sit for about 5–10 minutes until foamy. This is how you know the yeast is active and ready to work. Next, stir in the melted butter and eggs. Mix well until combined.

Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough either by hand or with a stand mixer for about 6 to 8 minutes, or until it’s smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a bit more flour one tablespoon at a time. Once ready, place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.

While the dough is rising, prepare your fillings. For the strawberry mixture, combine chopped strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until thickened and jam-like. Let it cool. For the cream cheese filling, beat the softened cream cheese with sugar and vanilla until smooth.

Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a large rectangle, roughly 12×18 inches. Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the dough, then spoon the cooled strawberry mixture on top. Carefully roll up the dough from the long side into a tight log. Slice into 12 even rolls and place them in a greased or parchment-lined baking dish.

Cover the rolls and let them rise again for 30 to 45 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350°F while they rise. Once puffed up, bake the rolls for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Allow them to cool slightly before drizzling with glaze.

 

To make the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle generously over the warm rolls before serving.

Notes

It’s easy to run into trouble if you’re new to working with yeast dough. One common mistake is using water or milk that’s too hot when activating the yeast, which can kill it. Aim for around 110°F for best results. Another issue is rushing the rising time—under-proofed dough leads to dense, chewy rolls instead of the light and fluffy texture we want.

 

Be careful not to overfill your dough either. Too much strawberry filling can ooze out during rolling and baking, making a mess and preventing the rolls from holding their shape. Additionally, avoid overbaking. These rolls should be just golden on top, with a soft and tender inside. If you wait until they’re dark brown, they may be dry.

  • Prep Time: 30
  • Cook Time: 30
  • Category: Dessert
  • Cuisine: AMERICAIN

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 290