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.
- Author: Layla
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 25-30 mins
- Total Time: 20 minute
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- 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
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (adjust for desired consistency)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 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.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, melted butter, and egg. Once combined, add the frothy yeast mixture.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Sprinkle the strawberry filling evenly over the cream cheese layer, ensuring an even distribution for perfect bites.
- Starting from one long edge, carefully roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seam to seal. Slice the log into 12 equal pieces.
- Place the rolls cut-side up in a greased baking dish. Cover and let them rise for another 30 minutes until puffy.
- 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.
- 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.
- Once the rolls are done, let them cool for about 10 minutes before drizzling with the topping. Enjoy warm!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
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.