Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnamon Rolls

These Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls are a delightful variation of classic cinnamon rolls. They feature a layer of strawberry pie filling and cream cheese rolled inside. We then slathered the rolls with a rich cream cheese frosting and topped them with a dollop of strawberry pie filling. A truly delicious combination of flavors!

If you're a fan of cinnamon rolls, you are going to love this creamy cream cheese and strawberry variation. Instead of the traditional cinnamon and sugar rolled up inside, we've layered the inside with a decadent cream cheese mixture along with a layer of strawberry pie filling for a fresh and fruity flavor.

This version of cinnamon rolls pairs just as nicely with a hot cup of coffee or a big glass of milk for breakfast or anytime snack.

If you love these strawberry rolls, you will absolutely love this Cinnamon Chip Bread, these Puff Pastry Cherry Turnovers, these Strawberry Cheesecake bars, and this Banana Bread.

Why You'll Love Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnamon Rolls

Decadent: These strawberry cheesecake cinnamon rolls have a rich and creamy filling and a cream cheese frosting making them super indulgent.
Better than store-bought: If you thought you could only get amazing cinnamon rolls at the store, this recipe will show you how homemade tastes much better.
Easy to prepare: Don't be intimated by the number of steps, there is nothing complicated about making these strawberry cinnamon rolls.
Crowd pleaser: We guarantee everyone at the table is going to love this strawberry cinnamon rolls recipe.

Ingredients

Active dry yeast: To prepare the dough, you'll need yeast to help it rise. Use active dry yeast, not instant yeast, to facilitate the rising process.
Sugar: White granulated sugar works well to add some sweetness to the dough and the filling as well.
Warm water: Warm water helps to activate the yeast, so make sure the water isn't too cold or too hot.
All-purpose flour: We used plain old all-purpose flour for these but if you want to make gluten-free strawberry cinnamon rolls, use 1-1 gluten-free flour.
Cream cheese: Use full-fat cream cheese for a richer flavor, softened. It is best to take it out of the fridge before preparing the rolls so it has time to soften.
Butter: You can use salted or unsalted butter, softened. Take the butter out of the fridge when you pull the cream cheese out, so it too has time to soften.
Heavy cream: We added heavy cream to the baking pan to help the rolls turn out super moist.
Strawberry pie filling: You'll need a portion of the can for the filling and the rest for the topping.
Cream Cheese Topping: For the topping you'll need to combine cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.

Variations

Use a different fruit filling: Pick up cherry, raspberry, or blueberry pie filling instead of strawberry.
Top with powdered sugar: Though the cream cheese frosting takes these over the top, a simple dusting of powdered sugar would taste great too.
Add cinnamon: To add more of a traditional flavor, stir ground cinnamon into the cream cheese filling.

How to Make Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls

Preheat the oven, remove your refrigerated items from the fridge, and prepare your baking dish.

Overhead look at yeast being activated in a measuring cup.

Step 1: Activate the yeast. Add warm water, yeast, sugar, and salt to the bowl of a stand mixer. Let it rest until bubbly.

Overhead look at dough in a mixing bowl.

Step 2: Make the dough. Use the dough hook attachment of an electric mixer and slowly mix the flour into the bowl, mixing until the dough forms a loose ball.

Step 3: Let the dough rest. Using a dish towel, cover the mixing bowl and let the dough rest so it can rise and double in size.

Step 4: Shape the dough. Once the dough has finished rising, roll it out about ½-inch thick on a lightly floured surface and shape it into a large oval or rectangle.

Cream cheese filling in a metal mixing bowl.

Step 5: Prepare the filling. Combine the cream cheese, butter, and sugar with a hand or stand mixer until creamy.

Overhead look at cream cheese and strawberry filling on the prepared dough.

Step 6: Layer the strawberry cinnamon rolls. Spread the cream cheese filling over the dough and top with the strawberry filling.

A cinnamon roll that was cut with dental floss.

Step 7: Create the cinnamon rolls. Gently roll the dough, a little bit at a time until the whole dough is rolled up into a log. Pinch the ends of the dough to prevent it from unrolling and the filling from coming out.

Strawberry cheesecake cinnamon roll in a prepared baking dish.

Step 8: Cut the cinnamon roll log. Use a piece of dental floss to cut the dough into slices and then place each slice into the prepared baking pan.

Step 9: Let the rolls rise. Leave the strawberry rolls on the counter to rise for about 30 minutes.

Heavy cream poured around cinnamon rolls.

Step 10: Pour the cream around the cinnamon rolls. Pour the heavy cream into the baking pan so it covers the bottom.

Overhead look at baked strawberry cheesecake cinnamon rolls in a baking dish.

Step 11: Bake the rolls. Once the rolls have risen, place them in the preheated oven until they turn golden brown.

Overhead look at iced cinnamon rolls in a baking dish.

Step 12: Prepare the topping. Using a hand mixer combine the butter, cream cheese, and vanilla extract, then add the powdered sugar and blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Overhead look at Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnamon Rolls in a baking dish.

Step 13: Ice the strawberry rolls. Once the rolls are completely cool, spread the cream cheese mixture over top and then add a dollop of strawberry filling.

Hint

Let the strawberry rolls cool completely before icing. The icing will slide and fall off if the rolls are still warm, so try to be patient and let them cool completely.

Serving Suggestions

These strawberry cream cheese cinnamon rolls make a decadent breakfast or snack. Here are a few of our favorite recipes we suggest you eat with them.

Pair these rolls with this Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole, Sausage Gravy and Biscuits, and these Sausage Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls for a weekend brunch.
Bake the strawberry cream cheese rolls for an afternoon snack with these Fruit Pizza Cookies or these O'Henry bars.
Keep these strawberry cheesecake rolls on hand for a grab-and-go breakfast along with Sausage Egg Muffins, Sausage Crescent Rolls or this Easy Chocolate Bread.

Expert Tips

Don't rush the rising process: You may be tempted to compromise waiting for the dough to rise but don't. You want it to double in size so it turns out light and fluffy.
Leftovers: Store leftover strawberry sweet rolls in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge until soft enough to eat.
Use fresh yeast: If your yeast has been sitting around for months, make sure it is still active before you begin to prepare these rolls. To test the yeast combine it with a touch of sugar and warm water. If it bubbles, you are good to go!
Cut the rolls into even pieces. To ensure all the rolls bake at the same pace, do your best to cut the log into even pieces.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use jam or jelly instead of the strawberry pie filling?

Yes, jam or jelly would also work to make this strawberry cinnamon roll. You can use store-bought or homemade.

Can I use store-bought dough to make these strawberry cinnamon rolls?

Sure, if you want to use a prepared dough, that will work well. Pizza dough often works for cinnamon rolls.

Close up of a strawberry cheesecake cinnamon roll with a bite taken out of it.

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