Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls (Printable)

Soft fluffy dough spiraled with cinnamon sugar and fresh strawberries, topped with creamy vanilla glaze for a sweet morning treat.

# What You Need:

→ Dough

01 - 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - ¼ cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
04 - ½ tsp salt
05 - ¾ cup warm milk
06 - ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
07 - 1 large egg

→ Filling

08 - ⅔ cup brown sugar, packed
09 - 1 ½ tbsp ground cinnamon
10 - ⅓ cup unsalted butter, softened
11 - 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, diced
12 - 2 tsp cornstarch

→ Cream Cheese Glaze

13 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
14 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
15 - 1 cup powdered sugar
16 - ½ tsp vanilla extract
17 - 2–3 tbsp milk

# How To Make It:

01 - Combine warm milk and yeast in a large bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes until mixture becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
02 - Add melted butter, granulated sugar, egg, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix thoroughly. Gradually incorporate flour, mixing until a soft, tacky dough forms.
03 - Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour until doubled in size.
04 - Toss diced strawberries with cornstarch in a small bowl until evenly coated. Set aside.
05 - Combine brown sugar and ground cinnamon in a separate bowl. Mix until uniformly blended.
06 - Roll risen dough into a 16x12-inch rectangle. Spread softened butter evenly over surface. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture, then distribute cornstarch-coated strawberries across the top.
07 - Roll dough tightly from the long edge. Cut into 12 equal portions using a sharp knife or dough cutter.
08 - Place rolls in a greased 9x13-inch baking pan. Cover and let rise for 30-45 minutes until puffy and nearly doubled.
09 - Preheat oven to 350°F.
10 - Bake rolls for 22-25 minutes until tops are golden brown and filling is bubbling. Allow to cool slightly in pan.
11 - Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract; mix until combined. Gradually add milk until desired spreading consistency is reached.
12 - Spread cream cheese glaze generously over warm rolls. Serve immediately while still slightly warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The fresh strawberries add bright fruitiness that cuts through the rich cinnamon sugar filling perfectly
  • That creamy vanilla glaze sends these over the top, but the rolls are delicious even without it
  • They freeze beautifully before the second rise, so you can wake up to fresh baked rolls any morning
02 -
  • The cornstarch mixed with strawberries is crucial, otherwise the berries release too much liquid and make the rolls soggy in the center
  • Letting the dough rise in a slightly warm oven with just the light on is a game changer for cold kitchens
  • Cutting rolls with unflavored dental floss instead of a knife keeps them perfectly round without squishing
03 -
  • If your strawberries are especially large, cut them into smaller pieces so they distribute evenly without creating gaps
  • The glaze thickens as it cools, so add that last tablespoon of milk right before spreading if needed