Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls

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Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls are the ultimate fusion of two beloved desserts: classic cinnamon rolls and creamy strawberry cheesecake. These soft, fluffy rolls are swirled with buttery cinnamon sugar, layered with a rich strawberry cheesecake filling, and finished with a smooth cream cheese glaze that melts into every warm bite.

Perfect for weekend breakfasts, brunch gatherings, holidays, or special occasions, this homemade strawberry cinnamon roll recipe delivers bakery-style results right from your own kitchen. The combination of fresh strawberries, tangy cream cheese, and warm cinnamon creates a dessert-like breakfast that feels indulgent yet comforting.

If you love homemade pastries, sweet breakfast recipes, or copycat bakery treats, these strawberry cheesecake cinnamon rolls are an excellent choice for both beginner and experienced home bakers.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Soft, pillowy dough with a rich, tender texture
• Creamy cheesecake filling balanced by fresh strawberries
• Classic cinnamon roll flavor with a fruity twist
• Perfect for brunch, holidays, and overnight prep
• Crowd-pleasing and family-friendly
• Bakery-quality results without specialty equipment
• Great make-ahead and freezer-friendly option

Ingredients Breakdown

For the Dough

• All-Purpose Flour – Forms the structure of the dough while keeping it soft and tender. Proper measuring ensures light, fluffy rolls rather than dense bread.
• Granulated Sugar – Adds mild sweetness and feeds the yeast, helping the dough rise properly.
• Instant Yeast – Allows the dough to rise efficiently and consistently. Instant yeast simplifies the process and reduces proofing time.
• Salt – Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor without making the dough taste salty.
• Warm Milk – Activates the yeast and adds richness. Milk should be warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
• Unsalted Butter – Adds moisture and richness to the dough. Unsalted butter gives better control over salt levels.
• Egg – Provides structure and softness, contributing to a tender crumb and rich texture.

For the Strawberry Cheesecake Filling

• Cream Cheese – Creates a smooth, tangy cheesecake base that balances the sweetness of the rolls. Full-fat cream cheese gives the best texture.
• Granulated Sugar – Sweetens the filling without overpowering the strawberries.
• Vanilla Extract – Enhances both the cheesecake and strawberry flavors.
• Fresh Strawberries – Add natural sweetness, color, and a fresh fruit flavor. Finely chopped strawberries distribute evenly throughout the filling.
• Strawberry Jam – Intensifies strawberry flavor and adds a smooth, spreadable texture to the filling.

For the Cinnamon Sugar Layer

• Unsalted Butter – Acts as the base that holds the cinnamon sugar mixture in place.
• Brown Sugar – Adds deep sweetness with subtle caramel notes that complement cinnamon.
• Ground Cinnamon – Provides warm spice and classic cinnamon roll flavor.

For the Cream Cheese Glaze

• Cream Cheese – Creates a rich, tangy glaze that pairs perfectly with the sweet rolls.
• Unsalted Butter – Adds smoothness and richness to the glaze.
• Powdered Sugar – Sweetens and thickens the glaze while keeping it silky smooth.
• Vanilla Extract – Enhances the overall flavor of the glaze.
• Milk – Adjusts consistency for easy drizzling and spreading.

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Rolls

• Use a kitchen thermometer to ensure milk is around 110°F
• Knead dough until smooth and elastic for proper structure
• Let dough rise in a warm, draft-free area for best results
• Roll dough tightly to create defined swirls
• Slice rolls using unflavored dental floss for clean edges
• Slightly underbake for extra gooey centers
• Glaze rolls while warm so it melts into the layers

Variations and Customizations

These strawberry cheesecake cinnamon rolls are easy to adapt to different tastes.

• Swap strawberries for raspberries or blueberries
• Use strawberry preserves instead of fresh berries
• Add lemon zest to the cheesecake filling for brightness
• Sprinkle white chocolate chips over the filling
• Use half-and-half instead of milk for richer glaze
• Make mini rolls for brunch platters or parties

Pairing Suggestions

Side Dishes

• Fresh fruit salad
• Scrambled eggs or omelets
• Crispy bacon or breakfast sausage

Beverages

• Coffee or espresso
• Hot tea
• Freshly squeezed orange juice

Occasions

• Holiday mornings
• Baby showers and brunch parties
• Weekend family breakfasts
• Special celebrations

Storage Instructions

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days
• Reheat individual rolls in the microwave for 20–30 seconds
• Freeze baked rolls (unglazed) for up to 2 months
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and glaze after reheating

Popular Questions

Can I make these rolls ahead of time?

Yes. Assemble the rolls, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Let them come to room temperature before baking.

Can I use frozen strawberries?

Frozen strawberries can be used, but thaw and drain them well to prevent excess moisture.

Why didn’t my dough rise?

This usually happens if the milk was too hot or the yeast was expired. Always check yeast freshness.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, this recipe doubles well. Use two baking dishes and rotate pans during baking if needed.

Should I glaze the rolls immediately?

Glazing while the rolls are warm allows the glaze to melt into the layers for maximum flavor.

Caroline

Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls

Soft, fluffy cinnamon rolls filled with a rich strawberry cheesecake layer and finished with a creamy glaze. These indulgent Cinnabon-style rolls are perfect for brunch, holidays, or make-ahead breakfasts.

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 55 minutes mins

Servings: 12 rolls

Course: Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 420

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup warm milk (110°F)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup strawberry jam
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened (glaze)
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened (glaze)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (glaze)
• 2 tbsp milk, as needed

Equipment

• mixing bowls
• measuring cups and spoons
• Rolling pin
• 9×13-inch baking dish
• Stand mixer or hand mixer
• oven

Method

 

1. Combine flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, mix warm milk, melted butter, and egg.
3. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
4. Knead the dough for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour.
6. Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
7. Stir in chopped strawberries and strawberry jam.
8. Mix butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until combined.
9. Roll dough into a 12×18-inch rectangle.
10. Spread cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the dough.
11. Spread strawberry cheesecake filling evenly on top.
12. Roll dough tightly and cut into 12 rolls.
13. Place rolls in a greased baking dish and let rise for 30 minutes.
14. Bake at 350°F for 20–25 minutes until golden.
15. Beat glaze ingredients until smooth.
16. Drizzle glaze over warm rolls and serve.

Notes

These rolls are ideal for overnight preparation. Slight underbaking keeps the centers soft and gooey. Add extra glaze for a more indulgent finish. Best served warm for maximum flavor and texture.

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