Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

I absolutely love this Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnamon Rolls Recipe because it combines two of my favorite flavors — rich cheesecake and sweet, fruity strawberries — baked into soft, fluffy cinnamon rolls. The moment you bite into one, you get that perfect balance of creamy, sweet, and a hint of cinnamon spice that feels like the ultimate indulgence for any brunch or weekend treat.

When I first tried this recipe, it quickly became a family favorite, especially on lazy Sunday mornings or special occasions when I want to impress but keep things cozy. You’ll find that making these feels impressive, but the steps are straightforward enough that even if you’ve never made cinnamon rolls before, you can nail it with a little patience and love.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together to create a soft dough with a sweet strawberry cheesecake twist. Using fresh strawberries really makes the filling pop, and quality cream cheese makes all the difference in the glaze.

• Whole milk: Warm milk helps activate the yeast properly for a fluffy dough.
• Sugar: Balances the dough’s flavor and feeds the yeast for a good rise.
• Active dry yeast: This is the magic ingredient for making your dough rise beautifully.
• All-purpose flour: Provides structure for tender yet sturdy rolls.
• Egg: Adds richness and helps bind the dough.
• Butter: Softened butter creates a tender crumb and enhances flavor.
• Vanilla extract: Adds aromatic sweetness to the dough and glaze.
• Salt: Enhances all the natural flavors in the dough.
• Seedless strawberry jam: Gives concentrated strawberry flavor and sweetness in the filling.
• Fresh strawberries: Chopped for juicy bursts inside the rolls.
• Ground cinnamon: Brings that warm spice note cinnamon rolls are known for.
• Cream cheese: Softened for the rich, tangy glaze.
• Confectioners’ sugar: Sweetens and thickens the glaze to spreadable perfection.

Variations

I love experimenting with this Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnamon Rolls Recipe — you can easily switch up the filling or try different glazes to suit your taste or dietary needs. It’s fun to make it your own!

• Berry Swap: I sometimes swap fresh strawberries for raspberries or blueberries when in season, which gives the rolls a slightly different but just as delicious fruity pop.
• Vegan Version: Use plant-based milk and vegan cream cheese, and substitute the egg with flaxseed or chia egg to make it vegan-friendly.
• Extra Cinnamon Kick: Increase the cinnamon in the filling or sprinkle some on top of the rolls before baking for a stronger spice flavor, which my cinnamon-loving friends love.
• Nutty Twist: Add some chopped pecans or almonds to the filling for added crunch and depth of flavor.

How to Make Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Activate Your Yeast

Start by warming up your milk so it’s warm to the touch but not hot — I usually test it with my wrist. Too hot and the yeast won’t wake up properly. Sprinkle the yeast over the warm milk and sugar mixture, then give it a gentle stir and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it’s nice and foamy. This is the key step that ensures your dough rises beautifully.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

Once your yeast is activated, switch your stand mixer to medium speed to gradually add in the flour, egg, softened butter, vanilla extract, and salt. I like to pause once or twice to scrape the sides to keep everything mixing uniformly. Mix until the dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl, forming a soft ball — not too sticky, but not dry either.

Step 3: First Rise and Roll-out

Transfer the dough to a greased bowl and cover it with a clean towel. Let it rise at room temperature for about 1½ to 2 hours, or until it doubles in size. Patience here pays off with fluffy rolls! Next, sprinkle your cutting board with a little flour, roll the dough into a thin rectangle about a quarter-inch thick, and slice into eight long strips for filling.

Step 4: Spread the Strawberry Cheesecake Filling

Whip together the strawberry jam, chopped fresh strawberries, and a sprinkle of cinnamon in a small bowl. Spread this evenly over each dough strip — I use an offset spatula for neatness. This step is where the magic starts to shine, with the fresh strawberry bites and warm cinnamon infusing the rolls.

Step 5: Form, Rise, and Bake

Roll each strip tightly starting from the long edge to create classic cinnamon rolls, then place them in a greased 13×9-inch dish. Cover with a towel and let them rise another 30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350°F while they’re rising, and when ready, bake for 35 to 38 minutes until the edges are golden and the rolls are set.

Step 6: Cream Cheese Glaze

While the rolls bake, beat softened cream cheese and butter until creamy, then gradually add your confectioners’ sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Blend until smooth and fluffy. Once the rolls are out of the oven and still warm, spread this luscious glaze generously on top — trust me, it’s the best part!

How to Serve Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Garnishes

For garnishes, I love adding a few fresh strawberry slices and a light dusting of powdered sugar on top of the glazed rolls. It not only looks beautiful but adds a fresh, bright flavor right before serving.

Side Dishes

I often pair these cinnamon rolls with a simple cup of coffee or a fresh fruit salad to balance the sweetness. A glass of cold milk or fresh iced tea works beautifully too, making it feel like a complete, indulgent breakfast or brunch.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I place the rolls on a pretty platter lined with parchment and tuck fresh mint sprigs and edible flowers around them. You can even drizzle extra strawberry glaze on top or serve with little bowls of whipped cream on the side for an extra treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, I recommend storing the rolls covered at room temperature for up to two days — they’re still wonderfully soft and tasty. Alternatively, I use an airtight container to keep them fresh overnight, and they taste almost as good warmed up the next day.

Freezing

Freezing works like a charm for these cinnamon rolls. I usually freeze them before the second rise, tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and foil. When I’m ready to bake, I thaw them overnight in the fridge and let them come to room temperature before the final rise — it’s like magic when baked fresh!

Reheating

To reheat, I microwave the rolls for about 20-30 seconds to soften them, then pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to revive that fresh-baked texture. If you’re short on time, just a quick microwave zap works too!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I can honestly say this Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is one of those special homemade treats that gets me excited every time I make it. It’s not just about the flavors — it’s about the whole experience of baking, sharing, and savoring something lovingly made from scratch. If you want to bring a little extra joy to your mornings, I highly recommend giving these a try — I’m sure they’ll become one of your favorites too!

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