Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls Recipe
Delight in these luscious Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls, featuring a soft, fluffy dough layered with creamy cheesecake filling and a classic cinnamon sugar blend. Baked to golden perfection and topped with a smooth cream cheese icing and fresh strawberries, this recipe offers a decadent treat perfect for breakfast or dessert.
- Author: Daniel
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 rolls 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup whole milk, lukewarm
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Cheesecake Filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
Cinnamon Sugar Filling
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
Strawberry Topping
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1 tablespoon sugar (optional)
Cream Cheese Icing
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 to 2 tablespoons whole milk, as needed
- Pinch of salt
- Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, combine lukewarm whole milk and active dry yeast. Stir until dissolved and let sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy to activate the yeast.
- Mix Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Create a well in the center and add the yeast mixture, softened butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix with a wooden spoon or hands until a dough forms.
- Knead Dough: Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. If sticky, incorporate a small amount of flour to maintain a soft texture.
- First Dough Rise: Form dough into a ball and place in a lightly greased bowl. Cover with a towel or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm area for 1 to 1.5 hours, until doubled in volume.
- Prepare Cheesecake Filling: In a medium bowl, beat softened cream cheese on medium speed until creamy. Add granulated sugar, vanilla extract, flour, and sour cream or Greek yogurt; beat until smooth and combined. Set aside.
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Filling: In a small bowl, mix packed brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt. Soften butter until spreadable but not melted.
- Roll and Fill Dough: After the first rise, punch down dough to remove air. Roll out on a floured surface into a 16 x 12-inch rectangle. Evenly spread softened butter over dough, leaving a border. Spread cheesecake filling over buttered area, then sprinkle evenly with cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Shape and Slice Rolls: Roll dough tightly from the long edge into a log. Pinch the seam to seal. Slice into 12 equal pieces using a sharp knife or dental floss. Arrange in a greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish, spacing closely.
- Second Rise: Cover dish loosely with plastic wrap or a towel and allow rolls to rise for 30–45 minutes, until puffed and touching one another.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake risen rolls for 25–30 minutes, until golden and cooked through. If browning too quickly, cover loosely with foil. Cool in pan for 10 minutes before icing.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Icing: Beat softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl. Gradually add whole milk, a tablespoon at a time, until a smooth, spreadable consistency is reached.
- Ice Rolls: Spread or drizzle cream cheese icing evenly across warm rolls to allow it to melt into the surface.
- Prepare Strawberry Topping: Thinly slice fresh strawberries. Toss with sugar if additional sweetness is desired.
- Finish with Strawberries: Gently arrange sliced strawberries over iced rolls for a fresh, vibrant topping.
Notes
- Make sure the milk is lukewarm, around 100-110°F, to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- For best texture, do not add too much flour while kneading; keep the dough soft and elastic.
- You can substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt for a tangier flavor in the cheesecake filling.
- If you want more strawberry flavor, add chopped strawberries inside the rolls along with the cheesecake filling.
- The optional sugar with strawberries can be omitted or adjusted based on the sweetness of your fruit.
- Use dental floss to slice the rolls cleanly without squishing them.
- Covering the rolls with foil if they brown too quickly ensures even baking without burning.
Keywords: Strawberry cinnamon rolls, cheesecake rolls, cinnamon sugar rolls, cream cheese icing rolls, breakfast rolls, dessert rolls