If you are a fan of sweet, fluffy, and irresistibly fruity baked treats, then this Strawberry Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing Recipe is about to become your new favorite indulgence. Imagine tender rolls swirled with luscious strawberry jam and fresh, juicy strawberry pieces, all topped with a silky, tangy cream cheese icing that adds the perfect finishing touch. Every bite bursts with flavor and comfort, making these rolls an ideal treat for breakfast, brunch, or an anytime snack that feels like a warm hug on a plate.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple, familiar ingredients come together in this recipe to create extraordinary flavors and textures. Each component plays an important role whether it’s in the dough’s softness, the fruity filling’s sweetness, or the creamy icing’s smoothness.
- ½ cup milk: Warm milk activates the yeast and creates a tender dough texture.
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast: This leavens the dough, making the rolls light and fluffy.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: The backbone of the dough, providing structure and chewiness.
- ¼ cup sugar: Adds sweetness and promotes browning during baking.
- ¼ teaspoon salt: Balances flavor and enhances the dough’s rise.
- ¼ cup unsalted butter or margarine, softened: Enriches the dough for a soft, tender crumb.
- 1 egg: Adds moisture and helps bind ingredients together.
- ¾ cup strawberry jam: Gives that strong strawberry flavor and sticky goodness inside the rolls.
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, chopped: Adds texture and bursts of natural sweetness.
- ½ cup cream cheese, room temperature: The star of the icing, offering tanginess and creaminess.
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened: Combines into the icing for luscious smoothness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Deepens the flavor profile of the cream cheese icing.
- 1½ cups powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the icing to perfection.
How to Make Strawberry Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing Recipe
Step 1: Activate Yeast
Start by warming the milk just until it’s pleasantly warm—not hot—to the touch, about 30 seconds in the microwave. Stir in the yeast and let it sit for 5 minutes. This is when the magic begins. You’ll see the yeast foam up, signaling it’s alive and ready to do its work.
Step 2: Mix Dough
In your stand mixer bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt—these dry ingredients set the stage for your dough. Add the softened butter, egg, and the bubbly yeast mixture. Knead with the dough hook for around 3 to 5 minutes until the dough pulls away from the sides and feels elastic and velvety-soft. It’s a luscious texture that promises melt-in-your-mouth rolls.
Step 3: First Rise
Pop the dough into an oiled bowl, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and place in a warm spot. If you want to speed things up, preheat your oven to 350°F for just 1 minute, then turn it off and place the bowl inside—it’s a cozy little incubator for your dough. Wait until it doubles in size; this first rise is essential for airy rolls.
Step 4: Prepare Baking Dish
While the dough is rising, butter a 9-inch pie plate or cast-iron skillet. This ensures your rolls won’t stick and will bake up with a beautifully golden crust.
Step 5: Roll and Fill
Once risen, punch down the dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into an 18 by 12 inch rectangle. Smooth the strawberry jam evenly over the surface, then scatter the chopped fresh strawberries across the jam layer. This adds texture and an extra burst of fresh strawberry flavor that’s simply sensational.
Step 6: Shape Rolls
Starting at the far edge closest to you, carefully roll the dough toward yourself like a jelly roll. Pinch the seam to seal the edge. Using a sharp knife, cut the roll into 8 equal pieces—each one a promise of strawberry delight.
Step 7: Second Rise
Arrange these rolls snugly in your buttered pan, cover again with plastic wrap, and let them rise until puffy and doubled in size. Use your warm oven trick again if needed. This rise makes sure your rolls are soft and airy after baking.
Step 8: Prepare Icing
While the rolls are puffing up, whip together the cream cheese, softened butter, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar in your mixer until the mixture is creamy and smooth. If the icing feels too thick, add a splash of milk; if too thin, a bit more powdered sugar will perfect it. This icing is the luscious crown your rolls deserve.
Step 9: Bake Rolls
Bake the rolls in a 350°F oven for about 30 minutes, or until they turn a gorgeous golden brown and fill your kitchen with an irresistible aroma. It’s that classic sign that your strawberry rolls are ready to enjoy.
Step 10: Ice and Serve
Allow the rolls to cool for 10 minutes—just enough time to set but still warm. Drizzle or spread the cream cheese icing generously over the top. The contrast of the warm rolls and cool, creamy icing is pure bliss in every bite.
How to Serve Strawberry Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing Recipe
Garnishes
Consider topping your strawberry rolls with fresh mint leaves or a few thin slices of fresh strawberry for a vibrant and pretty presentation. A sprinkle of finely chopped nuts like pistachios or almonds can add a lovely crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft rolls.
Side Dishes
These strawberry rolls pair wonderfully with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a chilled glass of milk. For a brunch spread, add fresh fruit salad or a light yogurt parfait to balance the richness of the rolls.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the rolls on a rustic wooden board lined with parchment paper for a cozy, café-style vibe. For special occasions, place them in cute cupcake liners inside your baking dish before the second rise, making individual servings that are easy for guests to grab and enjoy.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once completely cooled, store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. This keeps them soft and fresh, ready to satisfy your sweet tooth at a moment’s notice.
Freezing
For longer storage, wrap individual rolls tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.
Reheating
Warm the strawberry rolls gently in a 300°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes or microwave for 20 to 30 seconds to bring back that fresh-baked softness. Re-apply a little cream cheese icing if needed to restore that dreamy finish.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw and drain them well to avoid excess moisture that can affect the dough and baking process. Fresh strawberries, however, give a brighter flavor and firmer texture.
Is it necessary to let the dough rise twice?
Yes, the two rises are essential for developing the right texture. The first rise allows the dough to ferment and puff up, while the second rise after shaping ensures the rolls are soft and airy when baked.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
You can substitute dairy milk with plant-based alternatives like almond or oat milk, and use dairy-free butter and cream cheese substitutes. Just keep in mind the flavor and texture might slightly differ.
How sweet are the rolls? Can I reduce sugar?
The rolls have a balanced sweetness from the strawberry jam and sugar in the dough and icing. If you prefer a less sweet recipe, you can slightly reduce the sugar in the dough and icing, but keep enough for proper texture and flavor.
Can I prepare the rolls the night before?
You can complete the first rise, shape the rolls, and then refrigerate them overnight before baking the next day. Just take them out about an hour before baking to come to room temperature and rise a little more for the best results.
Final Thoughts
There you have it—a delightful, heartwarming Strawberry Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing Recipe that’s both a comforting classic and a showstopper. These rolls are bursting with fresh strawberry flavor and topped with that luscious icing that makes every bite special. Trust me, once you make and taste them, you’ll want to keep this recipe close for all your cozy mornings and special gatherings. So grab your ingredients, and let’s bake happiness together!
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Strawberry Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these soft and fluffy Strawberry Rolls topped with a luscious cream cheese icing. Perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack, these rolls combine fresh strawberries and strawberry jam rolled into a tender dough, baked to golden perfection, and finished with a smooth, sweet cream cheese glaze.
Ingredients
Dough
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup unsalted butter or margarine, softened to room temperature
- 1 egg
Filling
- ¾ cup strawberry jam
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, chopped into small pieces
Cream Cheese Icing
- ½ cup cream cheese, at room temperature
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: Warm the milk in the microwave for 30 seconds to create a lukewarm liquid. Stir in the active dry yeast and let it sit for 5 minutes until the yeast is dissolved and foamy, indicating it is active and ready to use.
- Mix Dough: In a stand mixer bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, sugar, and salt. Add softened butter, egg, and the yeast mixture. Using the dough hook attachment, knead the mixture for 3 to 5 minutes until the dough is elastic, soft, and slightly sticky.
- First Rise: Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough inside, and cover with plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm spot until it has doubled in size. To speed this up, place the bowl in a warm oven at 350°F for 1 minute, then turn the oven off and let the dough rise inside.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Butter a 9-inch pie plate or a cast-iron skillet thoroughly to prevent sticking and for better browning of the rolls.
- Roll and Fill: On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out into an 18 by 12-inch rectangle. Spread the strawberry jam evenly over the dough’s surface, then sprinkle the chopped fresh strawberries over the jam to ensure a fruity filling.
- Shape Rolls: Starting from the far side, roll the dough tightly toward you to form a log. Pinch the seam closed to seal it, then cut the roll into 8 equal-sized pieces.
- Second Rise: Arrange the rolls cut-side up in the prepared buttered dish. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let them rise again until doubled in size, using the warm oven method if desired for best results.
- Prepare Icing: In a mixer, combine cream cheese, softened butter, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar. Mix until the icing is smooth and creamy. Adjust thickness by adding a little milk to thin or more powdered sugar to thicken, as desired.
- Bake Rolls: Bake the risen rolls in a preheated oven at 350°F for 30 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Ice and Serve: Allow the rolls to cool for 10 minutes after baking. Drizzle the cream cheese icing over the warm rolls before serving for a deliciously gooey topping.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients for better dough consistency.
- The warm oven method helps speed up dough rising but ensure the oven is turned off to avoid overproofing.
- Chopped fresh strawberries add texture and burst of freshness; you can adjust the quantity to preference.
- Make sure rolls have cooled slightly before icing to prevent the glaze from melting too much.
- Store leftover rolls in an airtight container and reheat gently before serving.
