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Sweet Strawberry Cream Cheese Rolls

These Strawberry Cream Cheese Rolls are a delightful combination of sweet and tangy flavors, wrapped in a soft, pillowy dough. Perfect for brunch or a cozy afternoon treat, they offer a burst of fresh strawberries and creamy filling in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • For the Rolls:
  • 1 cup warm milk (110°F or 43°C)
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 ½ to 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • For the Cream Cheese Filling:
  • 8 oz (227 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • For the Strawberry Filling:
  • 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • For the Topping (optional):
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 12 tablespoons milk (adjust for desired consistency)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, combine the warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy. This indicates your yeast is active. If it doesn't foam, start over with fresh yeast.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, melted butter, and egg. Once combined, add the frothy yeast mixture.
  3. Gradually mix in 3 ½ cups of flour and salt. Stir until a soft dough forms. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable. Avoid adding too much flour at this stage.
  4. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. A well-kneaded dough will bounce back when poked.
  5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
  6. Meanwhile, prepare the strawberry filling. In a medium bowl, combine the diced strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Stir until the strawberries are well-coated and let it sit for about 10 minutes to macerate.
  7. After the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle approximately 12×18 inches.
  8. For the cream cheese filling, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together in a bowl until smooth. Spread this mixture evenly over the rolled-out dough.
  9. Sprinkle the strawberry filling evenly over the cream cheese layer, ensuring an even distribution for perfect bites.
  10. Starting from one long edge, carefully roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seam to seal. Slice the log into 12 equal pieces.
  11. Place the rolls cut-side up in a greased baking dish. Cover and let them rise for another 30 minutes until puffy.
  12. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once the rolls have risen, bake them for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. They should sound hollow when tapped.
  13. While the rolls bake, prepare the optional topping by whisking together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Adjust the milk for your desired consistency.
  14. Once the rolls are done, let them cool for about 10 minutes before drizzling with the topping. Enjoy warm!

Nutrition

Keywords: Pay attention to the yeast activation; if your yeast doesn’t foam, it’s likely inactive. Use a stand mixer with a dough hook for easier kneading, and keep a light hand with the flour when rolling out the dough.