Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls Recipe

Prepare yourself for an irresistible baking adventure with this Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls Recipe. Imagine tender, fluffy rolls swirled with luscious cheesecake and classic cinnamon sugar, all crowned with tangy cream cheese icing and a burst of juicy strawberries. This recipe brings together all the best elements of a bakery treat—rich, creamy, fruity, and oh-so-comforting—perfect to brighten any morning or impress at brunch. If you love the combination of strawberries and cheesecake, wait until you taste them together in warm, gooey cinnamon rolls!

Ingredients You’ll Need

You won’t believe how a handful of simple, everyday ingredients create such spectacular flavor and texture. Each component in this Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls Recipe plays a starring role, whether it’s building the soft and pillowy dough or delivering that irresistible swirl of tangy cheesecake and sweet spice.

• All-purpose flour: The backbone of our dough, ensuring it turns out pillowy soft and tender every time.
• Whole milk: Lukewarm milk wakes up the yeast and adds a rich, moist crumb to your rolls.
• Active dry yeast: This is what gives your rolls that gorgeous lift and fluffy texture—make sure it’s fresh!
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens both the dough and the decadent cheesecake filling, bringing balance and caramelization.
• Unsalted butter: Adds richness and tenderness from the dough to the fillings, ensuring melt-in-your-mouth results.
• Large egg: Helps bind and enrich the dough for extra softness and structure.
• Vanilla extract: Grounds all the flavors with warm, enticing sweetness in both dough and fillings.
• Salt: Essential for flavor, bringing out the best in all the other ingredients.
• Cream cheese: The star of the cheesecake filling and icing—soft, tangy, and incredibly creamy.
• All-purpose flour (for filling): Thickens the cheesecake layer just enough to stay perfectly lush inside your rolls.
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt: Adds tang and a slight silkiness, elevating that cheesecake flavor.
• Brown sugar: Makes the cinnamon filling delightfully rich, gooey, and caramel-like as it bakes.
• Ground cinnamon: Provides that classic, warming spice you expect from a Cinnabon-inspired roll.
• Fresh strawberries: Hinted with extra sweetness, they create a fresh, bright contrast on top.
• Powdered sugar: Whipped into the icing for a smooth, sweet finish.
• Whole milk (for icing): Adjusts the icing to just the right spreadable or drizzle-able texture.
• Pinch of salt (for icing): Cuts through the sweetness to make every flavor pop.

How to Make Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Start your Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls Recipe by combining lukewarm whole milk with active dry yeast in a small bowl. Give it a stir and let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes—you’re looking for a frothy, bubbly surface that tells you your yeast is lively and ready to work its magic.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, add flour, sugar, and salt. Make a little well in the center and pour in your frothy yeast mixture, softened butter, egg, and fragrant vanilla extract. Stir everything together until a soft, shaggy dough starts to form. This is where the promise of buttery, fluffy rolls starts to come together!

Step 3: Knead the Dough

Turn your dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead by hand for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the dough is supple, smooth, and silky. If it’s too sticky, sprinkle in a touch more flour—just enough so it’s easy to handle but still soft to the touch.

Step 4: Let the Dough Rise

Shape your dough into a ball, drop it into a greased bowl, and cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap. Set it somewhere cozy and let it rise for about 1 to 1.5 hours, until doubled in size. Your kitchen will start to smell like anticipation and comfort!

Step 5: Blend the Cream Cheese

While your dough is rising, grab a bowl and beat softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until it’s utterly smooth and creamy. This will ensure your cheesecake filling is luscious and free of lumps.

Step 6: Add the Other Ingredients

Mix in the granulated sugar, vanilla extract, flour, and your choice of sour cream or Greek yogurt. Beat until everything is perfectly combined. Resist the urge to sneak a taste—but trust me, it’s tempting!

Step 7: Make the Cinnamon Sugar Mixture

In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. This mixture will caramelize beautifully in the oven, infusing your rolls with classic Cinnabon flavor.

Step 8: Prepare the Butter

Make sure your butter is softened so it spreads easily over the dough—this ensures every bite is moist, rich, and flavorful.

Step 9: Roll Out the Dough

After your dough has risen, gently punch it down to release any air bubbles. Roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle, about 16 by 12 inches. A rolling pin is handy, but using your hands adds a rustic touch!

Step 10: Spread the Butter

With a pastry brush or the back of a spoon, spread the softened butter all over the dough, leaving a slight border so the fillings don’t ooze out while baking.

Step 11: Add the Cheesecake Filling

Spoon the cheesecake mixture over the buttered dough, spreading it almost to the edges. This step gives the Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls Recipe its luscious, creamy heart.

Step 12: Sprinkle the Cinnamon Sugar

Evenly sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the cheesecake layer. The scent alone will transport you straight to your favorite bakery.

Step 13: Roll Up the Dough

Starting from the long edge, gently but tightly roll the dough into a log, sealing the edge so your fillings are safely tucked inside.

Step 14: Cut the Rolls

Use a sharp knife or unscented dental floss to slice the log into 12 even pieces. Place the rolls into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, nestling them close but not quite touching.

Step 15: Let the Rolls Rise

Cover your rolls with plastic wrap or a towel and let them rise for 30 to 45 minutes. They’ll puff up and start crowding together, promising a batch of pillowy, gooey cinnamon rolls.

Step 16: Preheat the Oven

As the rolls rise, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step ensures even baking from the moment your pan goes in the oven.

Step 17: Bake

Bake your rolls for 25 to 30 minutes, until they’re golden and delicious-smelling. If the tops brown too fast, tent them gently with foil.

Step 18: Cool Slightly

Give your rolls about 10 minutes to cool so the icing melts just enough without running off completely—a crucial pause for the perfect finish.

Step 19: Mix the Icing

Beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Add milk gradually until the icing is silky and spreadable.

Step 20: Drizzle or Spread

Glide or drizzle the icing over warm rolls, letting it melt into every swirl and crevice. The result is creamy, tangy, absolute heaven.

Step 21: Slice the Strawberries

Thinly slice your fresh strawberries, tossing them with a touch of sugar if you prefer a sweeter topping.

Step 22: Top the Rolls

Generously pile the sliced strawberries over the rolls. Their burst of juiciness and color makes the Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls Recipe a true showstopper.

How to Serve Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls Recipe

Garnishes

For a little extra flair, dust your rolls with extra powdered sugar, sprinkle on some finely grated lemon zest, or add a few fresh mint leaves. These little touches not only make the rolls even prettier but add a fresh twist that lightens each decadent bite.

Side Dishes

Let your Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls Recipe shine as the centerpiece at brunch, flanked by bowls of mixed berries or a tangy fruit salad. For a heartier spread, try pairing them with crispy bacon or a fluffy scramble—something savory to balance out the sweet.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re serving a crowd, try arranging the rolls in a round pan for a pull-apart effect, or bake them in mini muffin tins for single-serving treats. You can slice and stack rolls for an impressive brunch display, or even serve with sparkling mimosas for a celebratory touch!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls Recipe fresh by storing them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The fresh strawberries will soften a bit but still taste amazing with the rich, creamy filling.

Freezing

To freeze, let the rolls cool completely (without the icing or strawberries). Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the fridge overnight and then reheat before adding the fresh toppings.

Reheating

Warm individual rolls in the microwave for 15–20 seconds or pop the whole pan in a low oven, covered with foil, until heated through. Top with icing and fresh strawberries just before serving to recapture that gooey, just-baked magic.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries for the topping?

Yes! Just thaw and drain them well so they don’t overly moisten the rolls. Fresh strawberries will hold their shape and color best, but frozen work in a pinch.

Can I prepare the rolls in advance?

Absolutely. You can assemble the rolls up to the second rise, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let them come to room temperature and finish the final proof before baking as directed.

Do I have to use cream cheese icing?

While the tangy cream cheese icing is a classic touch in this Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls Recipe, you can use a simple glaze or a lighter vanilla icing if you prefer.

Can I make these rolls without eggs?

Yes, you can swap the egg for a flaxseed egg or extra dollop of yogurt, though the rolls might be slightly less rich but still tasty and fluffy!

What’s the best way to cut the rolls without squishing them?

Dental floss (unflavored) works wonders! Slide it under the rolled dough, cross the ends, and tug gently for clean, perfectly round slices.

Final Thoughts

There are so many reasons to fall in love with this Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls Recipe, but the real magic is in gathering people together to share them warm from the oven. If you crave decadent, bakery-style treats with a fruity twist, you’re sure to adore these rolls as much as I do. Give them a try—you’ll instantly see why they’ve become a household favorite!

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