Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls Recipe

If you’re looking for a delightful treat that brings together the best of breakfast and dessert, then this Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls Recipe is just what you need. Perfectly soft, fluffy, and filled with creamy cheesecake goodness and fresh strawberries, these rolls will quickly become a family favorite. Whether you’re enjoying them on a lazy weekend morning or serving them at a special gathering, they are sure to impress everyone at the table.

What makes this recipe truly special is its ability to blend comfort with indulgence. The buttery cinnamon roll dough envelops a rich cheesecake filling that pairs beautifully with the sweetness of ripe strawberries. It’s an experience that’s hard to resist!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to make: With simple steps and ingredients, it’s perfect for bakers of all levels.
• Delicious flavor: The combination of cinnamon, cream cheese, and strawberries creates a mouthwatering treat.
• Perfect for gatherings: Serve these rolls at brunch or family gatherings; they’re sure to be a hit!
• Make-ahead option: Prepare the rolls in advance and bake them fresh when you’re ready to enjoy.
• Customizable: You can easily adapt the recipe based on your taste preferences or what you have on hand.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering the ingredients for these Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls is part of the fun! You’ll find that they are all simple and wholesome, making it easy for you to whip up this delicious treat.

For the Dough:

• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (120ml) whole milk, lukewarm
• 2 1/4 teaspoons (7g) active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Cheesecake Filling:

• 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (120ml) sour cream or Greek yogurt

For the Cinnamon Sugar Filling:

• 1/2 cup (100g) packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, softened

For the Strawberry Topping:

• 1 cup (150g) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1 tablespoon sugar (optional, for extra sweetness)

For the Cream Cheese Icing:

• 4 oz (115g) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup (60g) powdered sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-2 tablespoons whole milk, as needed for consistency
• Pinch of salt

Variations

This recipe is quite flexible and allows you to get creative! Here are some ideas to switch things up:

• Add nuts: Sprinkle chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts into the filling for added crunch.
• Use different fruits: Swap strawberries for blueberries or raspberries based on your preference.
• Try flavored cream cheese: Use flavored cream cheese like strawberry or vanilla for an extra twist in your filling.
• Make it chocolatey: Add mini chocolate chips into the cheesecake mixture for a sweet surprise.

How to Make Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

In a small bowl, combine the lukewarm milk and active dry yeast. Stir gently until dissolved and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy. This step is crucial because it ensures that your yeast is active and ready to help your dough rise perfectly.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Create a well in the center and pour in your yeast mixture along with softened butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix everything together until a dough starts forming. Using your hands can be fun here—it lets you feel how everything comes together!

Step 3: Knead the Dough

Transfer your dough onto a floured surface. Knead it gently for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. This process develops gluten in the dough which gives those beautiful rolls their soft texture. If it’s too sticky, sprinkle in some more flour—but don’t overdo it!

Step 4: Let the Dough Rise

Form your dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours until doubled in size. Watching it grow is always exciting!

Step 5: Blend the Cream Cheese

As your dough rises, prepare your cheesecake filling by beating softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. This step ensures there are no lumps—who wants lumpy cheesecake?

Step 6: Add Other Ingredients

To your blended cream cheese mixture, add granulated sugar, vanilla extract, flour, and sour cream (or Greek yogurt). Beat everything until fully combined and perfectly smooth. This will make each bite oh-so-indulgent.

Step 7: Make the Cinnamon Sugar Mixture

In another bowl, mix together brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt. Set this aside; you’ll be using it soon to give those rolls that classic cinnamon flavor we all love.

Step 8: Prepare the Butter

Soften some butter either by letting it sit at room temperature or giving it a quick zap in the microwave—just enough so it’s spreadable but not melted.

Step 9: Roll Out the Dough

Once risen, gently punch down your dough to release air bubbles before turning it out onto a floured surface. Roll it into a large rectangle about 16 inches by 12 inches—a bit of elbow grease goes a long way here!

Step 10: Spread the Butter

Using either a pastry brush or just your fingers works great—spread that lovely softened butter evenly over your rolled-out dough while leaving just a small border around edges.

Step 11: Add Cheesecake Filling

Spoon that luscious cheesecake mixture over your buttered dough evenly using a spatula or spoon back—just be careful not to go all out towards edges!

Step 12: Sprinkle Cinnamon Sugar

Now comes another delicious layer! Evenly sprinkle your cinnamon-sugar mixture over top of that creamy cheesecake layer—this adds warmth and sweetness.

Step 13: Roll Up Your Dough

Starting from one long edge of your rectangle carefully roll up into tight log form—this step is where those spirals come from! Pinch seams closed when done rolling.

Step 14: Cut Your Rolls

With sharp knife or even dental floss if you prefer—cut into twelve equal rolls! Place them close but not touching in greased baking dish; watching them puff up is half the fun!

Step 15: Let Rolls Rise Again

Cover loosely with plastic wrap/towel again while they rise another time for about 30-45 minutes until they’re puffy—it’s like magic watching them grow!

Step 16: Preheat Oven

While waiting on those beauties to rise even further—you can preheat oven now at 350°F (175°C). Get ready for heavenly smells soon!

Step 17: Bake Them Up

Once risen properly pop them into preheated oven baking away! In about 25-30 minutes they should turn golden brown; keep an eye if they start browning too quickly cover loosely with foil.

Step 18: Cool Slightly

Remove from oven once baked through allowing cooling time about ten minutes before icing goes on top—it’s tough waiting but worth every second!

Step 19: Mix Icing Together

Beat together softened cream cheese with powdered sugar along with vanilla extract plus pinch of salt until smooth consistency forms; then add milk gradually till desired thickness reached.

Step 20: Drizzle Icing On Top

Once cooled slightly drizzle icing over warm rolls allowing warmth help melt icing into creamy goodness—can’t resist licking spoons after this step!

Step 21: Slice Those Strawberries

Thinly slice fresh strawberries next tossing them with tablespoon optional sugar if desired sweetness matches perfectly balancing richness found within rolls themselves.

Step 22: Top Off Your Rolls

Finally arrange sliced strawberries atop finished rolls beautifully—they bring freshness bursting flavors completing this indulgent experience everyone will love!

Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls Recipe

Making these rolls can be a delightful experience, and with a few pro tips, you can ensure they turn out perfectly every time!

• Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh ingredients, especially your yeast and strawberries, can make a big difference in flavor and texture. Fresh yeast activates better and gives your rolls a wonderful rise, while ripe strawberries add the perfect sweetness.

• Don’t Rush the Rising Time: Allow the dough ample time to rise; this is crucial for achieving that fluffy, airy texture. If your kitchen is cool, consider placing the dough in a slightly warmed oven (turned off) to help it rise more effectively.

• Roll Tightly: When rolling up the dough, make sure to create a tight log. A tighter roll ensures that your filling stays inside and helps create those beautiful swirls when you slice the rolls.

• Experiment with Flavors: Feel free to customize the cheesecake filling or cinnamon sugar mixture by adding extras like lemon zest or nutmeg. These small tweaks can elevate the flavor profile of your rolls even further!

• Serve Warm: These rolls are best enjoyed warm right out of the oven. The icing will melt into the rolls, creating an irresistible treat that everyone will love.

How to Serve Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls Recipe

These Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls are not just delicious; they also make a stunning centerpiece for any breakfast or dessert table! Here are some ideas on how to present them beautifully.

Garnishes

• Mint Leaves: A sprinkle of fresh mint leaves adds a pop of color and freshness that complements the strawberries perfectly.
• Powdered Sugar Dusting: Lightly dusting the rolls with powdered sugar before serving gives them an elegant finish and enhances their sweetness.
• Chocolate Shavings: For chocolate lovers, adding some dark chocolate shavings on top provides an extra layer of indulgence.

Side Dishes

• Fresh Fruit Salad: A vibrant mix of seasonal fruits such as berries, melons, and citrus provides a refreshing contrast to the rich cinnamon rolls.
• Yogurt Parfait: Layering yogurt with granola and berries creates a lovely balance of flavors and textures that pairs well with the sweetness of the rolls.
• Coffee or Tea: A nice cup of coffee or herbal tea not only complements the flavors but also makes for a cozy breakfast experience.
• Scrambled Eggs: Fluffy scrambled eggs offer protein and balance out the sweetness of the rolls, making it a well-rounded meal option.

Enjoy serving these delightful Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls at your next gathering or simply as a sweet treat for yourself!

Make Ahead and Storage

These Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls are perfect for meal prep! You can make them ahead of time, store them properly, or even freeze them for later enjoyment.

Storing Leftovers

• Allow the rolls to cool completely before storing.
• Place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week.

Freezing

• After baking and cooling, wrap each roll tightly in plastic wrap.
• Place the wrapped rolls in a freezer-safe bag or container.
• They can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Reheating

• To reheat, remove the desired number of rolls from the freezer and let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
• Warm them in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds or in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes until heated through.

FAQs

Here are some common questions that might come to mind as you prepare your delicious rolls!

Can I make the Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls recipe without cream cheese?

Yes! You can substitute cream cheese with a dairy-free alternative like cashew cream or coconut yogurt. The flavor will be a bit different, but it should still be delightful!

How long does it take to make Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls?

The total time for this Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls recipe is about 1 hour and 50 minutes, including preparation and baking. The results are well worth it!

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh ones?

While fresh strawberries provide a great texture and flavor, you can use frozen ones if you thaw and drain them well. Just keep in mind that they may be a bit softer.

What is the best way to store leftover Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls?

Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate them for up to a week. You can also freeze them for later enjoyment!

Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoy making these Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls as much as I do! They are a delightful blend of flavors and textures that bring joy to any breakfast table or dessert spread. Don’t hesitate to share your creations or variations – I’d love to hear how they turned out for you. Happy baking!