Okay, okay, confession time! There are cinnamon rolls, and then there are these strawberry cinnamon rolls. Seriously, if you’ve ever thought cinnamon rolls were just for chilly mornings or holidays, get ready to have your mind blown! This Irresistible Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls recipe is like sunshine in a pastry form. The moment I created this combo, it felt like magic – that warm hug of cinnamon spice meeting the bright, sweet tang of fresh strawberries. It brings me right back to lazy summer afternoons in my grandma’s kitchen, where we’d always have some kind of sweet baked good around. This one, though? It’s a total game-changer, and trust me, your family will be begging for more.
Why You’ll Love This Irresistible Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Honestly, these rolls are just plain special. Here’s why you’ll probably fall head-over-heels for them:
- The Flavor Explosion: It’s the perfect dance between cozy cinnamon spice and the bright, fresh taste of strawberries. So good!
- Unbelievably Soft & Fluffy Texture: We’re talking melt-in-your-mouth soft. They’re just dreamy, especially with that creamy glaze.
- Surprisingly Easy! Even if you’re a beginner baker, these come together more easily than you might think. I’ve broken it all down for you!
- A Unique Twist: It’s that classic cinnamon roll comfort you know and love, but with a fun, fruity surprise that makes it stand out.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: These aren’t just for breakfast. They’re amazing for brunch, a special weekend treat, or even a delightful dessert.
- Smells Amazing While Baking: Your whole house will smell like a bakery – a very fruity, spicy, wonderful bakery!
Gather Your Ingredients for Irresistible Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls
Alright, let’s get our game faces on and gather everything we need for these amazing strawberry cinnamon rolls! Don’t worry, it’s nothing too crazy. Having everything prepped makes the whole process so much smoother, trust me.
For the dough, you’ll need to grab some warm milk, yeast (make sure it’s active!), granulated sugar, melted butter, a pinch of salt, an egg, and of course, our trusty all-purpose flour.
For that gorgeous, fruity filling, we’ve got fresh chopped strawberries, packed light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and some softened butter to make it all spreadable.
And for the dreamy glaze that ties it all together? You’ll want some softened cream cheese, more softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and just a splash of milk to get it perfectly drizzled. Having all these bits and pieces ready will make baking these a breeze!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Irresistible Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls
Alright, let’s get baking! Making these strawberry cinnamon rolls is an adventure, and I promise, the payoff is SO worth it. Just follow these steps, and you’ll be enjoying warm, gooey goodness in no time.
Preparing the Dough for Your Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls
First things first, let’s get that dough going! In a big bowl, mix your warm milk and yeast. Give it a few minutes to get nice and foamy – that’s how you know your yeast is happy and ready to work. Then, stir in the sugar, melted butter, salt, and that egg. Gradually add in your flour until it starts to come together into a soft dough. Now, get your hands in there! Knead it on a lightly floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it’s smooth and stretchy. It should feel soft, not sticky.
The First Rise: Letting Your Dough Double
Pop that beautiful dough into a greased bowl. Cover it up with a clean kitchen towel or some plastic wrap, and find a warm, cozy spot for it. Let it chill out and do its thing for about an hour to an hour and a half. You know it’s ready when it’s puffed up and pretty much doubled in size. It’s like magic happening right before your eyes!
Assembling the Irresistible Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls Filling
Okay, time to shape these babies! Gently punch down the risen dough to get some air out, and then roll it out on your floured surface into a nice rectangle, about 12 by 18 inches. Think of it as your canvas! Now, spread that softened butter all over the dough, leaving a little border around the edges. In a separate little bowl, mix up your finely chopped strawberries, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Sprinkle this sweet, spiced berry mixture evenly over the butter. This is where the real flavor party starts!
Rolling, Slicing, and the Second Rise
This is the fun part! Starting from one of the long edges, roll the dough up as tightly as you can. Try to keep it even so you get nice, uniform swirls. Once it’s all rolled up, pinch the seam together to seal it closed. Use a sharp knife or even some unflavored dental floss to cut the log into 12 equal slices. Try to keep them the same size so they bake evenly. Arrange them cut-side up in your greased 9×13 inch baking pan, giving them a little breathing room. Cover them again and let them have another 30-minute rise. This second rise makes them extra puffy and light!
Baking Your Perfect Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) while those rolls are doing their second rise. Once the oven is nice and hot, pop the pan in and let them bake for about 20-25 minutes. You’re looking for that gorgeous golden brown color on top. They’ll smell absolutely incredible while they’re baking – you’ve been warned!
Crafting the Creamy Glaze
While those rolls are getting perfectly baked, let’s whip up that incredible glaze. In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and softened butter until they’re super smooth and creamy. No lumps allowed here! Gradually add in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Start adding the milk, just a tablespoon at a time, and beat until you get that perfect drizzly consistency. You want it thick enough to coat, but thin enough to spread or drizzle easily. It’s a bit like playing Goldilocks – not too thick, not too thin!
The Final Touch: Glazing Your Warm Rolls
As soon as those beautiful cinnamon rolls come out of the oven, while they’re still nice and warm, spread that heavenly glaze all over the tops. The warmth of the rolls will help the glaze melt just a little bit, making it extra gooey and delicious. Dive in and enjoy!
Want another super tasty strawberry roll idea? You’ve gotta check out these absolutely delicious strawberry cheesecake cinnamon rolls. They’re seriously divine!
Tips for Success with Your Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls
Alright, let’s talk about making these strawberry cinnamon rolls absolutely perfect every single time. It’s not rocket science, but a few little tricks can make all the difference! My biggest tip? Don’t rush that dough. Yeast doughs like a little patience, especially with those rising times.
Make sure your milk is just warm, not hot, when you’re waking up the yeast – too hot and it’ll kill it! If your dough feels a bit too sticky after kneading, resist the urge to dump in a ton more flour. Just add a tiny bit at a time, or try using a bench scraper to help manage it. When you’re spreading the butter for the filling, make sure it’s softened, not melted. You want it spreadable but not oily. For super gooey centers, like in these cinnabon cinnamon rolls (which are amazing too!), making sure that butter and sugar mixture is evenly spread is key. Also, cutting the rolls with unflavored dental floss or a sharp serrated knife really helps keep their shape!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Okay, let’s chat about some of the ingredients and what you can do if you’re missing something or just want to try a little something different! For the milk in the dough, whole milk is best for richness, but honestly, any milk (2%, skim, or even a dairy-free almond or oat milk) will work just fine. If you don’t have unsalted butter, you can use salted, but just cut back a tiny bit on the salt you add to the dough.
Now, for the star: the strawberries! Fresh is always best for that bright flavor, but if you’re in a pinch, about 3/4 cup of frozen strawberries (slightly thawed and drained) can work. Just make sure they’re chopped well. And if you want an extra strawberry punch, a tablespoon of strawberry jam swirled into the filling is *chef’s kiss*! The glaze can be made with any milk you have on hand, and if you want it a little tangier, maybe add a hint of lemon zest!
Frequently Asked Questions about Irresistible Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls
Got questions about making these delicious rolls? I’ve got answers! Baking is all about learning, and I’m happy to share what I know.
Can I use frozen strawberries for the filling?
Totally! If fresh strawberries are out of season or you just have some frozen ones hanging out in your freezer, they’ll work perfectly. Just make sure they’re slightly thawed and drained really well before chopping them up. You might need to pat them with a paper towel to get rid of excess moisture so your filling isn’t too runny. It’ll still be delicious!
How long do these strawberry cinnamon rolls keep?
These are best enjoyed fresh and warm, but they’ll keep at room temperature for about 2-3 days in an airtight container. Honestly, though, they rarely last that long in my house! If you need them to last a bit longer, you can pop them in the fridge, but warm them up gently before serving so they don’t get too firm.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
You sure can! You can actually make the dough and let it do its first rise in the refrigerator overnight. Just punch it down gently after its first rise, cover it tightly, and keep it chilled. Then, the next day, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before rolling it out. It makes Sunday morning baking super easy!
What if I don’t have a 9×13 inch pan?
No worries if your pantry doesn’t have a 9×13 inch pan! You can use a similar-sized rectangular pan, or even two smaller square pans. If you use a pan that’s too small, the rolls might get a little too squished and bake unevenly. A pan that’s too large might mean they spread out too much and don’t get as gooey. You could also just bake them as individual rolls on a baking sheet if you don’t have the right pan – they’ll still be amazing, just shaped a bit differently.
If you love getting tips on making your baked goods shine, you might find some fun ideas in my guide to irresistible homemade french fries – it’s all about making simple things extraordinary!
Nutritional Information
Here’s a little peek at the estimated nutrition for one of these glorious rolls. Remember, these are just ballpark figures since ingredients can vary!
Per serving (1 roll): Calories: ~350, Fat: 15g (Saturated Fat: 9g), Carbohydrates: 50g, Sugar: 35g, Protein: 5g, Fiber: 2g.
Share Your Irresistible Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls Creations!
Seeing your creations is my favorite part! When you make these strawberry cinnamon rolls, I’d absolutely love to hear all about it. Drop a comment below to let me know how they turned out, or rate the recipe! You can also tag me on social media – I can’t wait to see your beautiful, delicious rolls!
Nutritional Information
Here’s a little peek at the estimated nutrition for one of these glorious rolls. Remember, these are just ballpark figures since ingredients can vary!
Per serving (1 roll): Calories: ~350, Fat: 15g (Saturated Fat: 9g), Carbohydrates: 50g, Sugar: 35g, Protein: 5g, Fiber: 2g.
Share Your Irresistible Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls Creations!
Seeing your creations is my favorite part! When you make these strawberry cinnamon rolls, I’d absolutely love to hear all about it. Drop a comment below to let me know how they turned out, or rate the recipe! You can also tag me on social media – I can’t wait to see your beautiful, delicious rolls! If you have any questions or just want to share your thoughts, feel free to reach out through my contact page too!
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Irresistible Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls
- Total Time: 55 min
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, sweet cinnamon rolls with a burst of fresh strawberry flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm milk
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and finely chopped
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- For the Glaze:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Stir in granulated sugar, melted butter, salt, and egg. Gradually add flour, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and roll it out into a 12×18 inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface.
- In a small bowl, mix together chopped strawberries, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
- Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border. Sprinkle the strawberry-cinnamon mixture over the butter.
- Roll the dough tightly, starting from the long edge. Pinch the seam to seal. Cut the roll into 12 equal slices.
- Place the slices in a greased 9×13 inch baking pan. Cover and let rise for another 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- While the rolls are baking, prepare the glaze: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Spread the glaze over the warm rolls.
Notes
- For a stronger strawberry flavor, you can add a tablespoon of strawberry jam to the filling.
- Ensure your yeast is fresh for proper rising.
- Do not overmix the dough after adding flour.
- Prep Time: 30 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: strawberry cinnamon rolls, sweet rolls, breakfast pastry, dessert recipe, homemade cinnamon rolls, strawberry dessert