Have you ever struggled to decide between a lusciously warm, gooey cinnamon bun and a decadent slice of creamy strawberry cheesecake? It’s a truly pleasant predicament, weighing the cosy, spiced comfort of one against the fresh, tangy delight of the other. But what if we said you no longer have to choose? We have masterfully combined these two dessert icons to create the ultimate fusion: our spectacular homemade Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls. Picture a cloud-like, cinnamon-laced dough, generously filled with a velvety cheesecake mixture and a zesty fresh strawberry compote, all finished with a lavish coating of classic cream cheese frosting. This is far more than a simple recipe; it’s a full-blown culinary event, and we are thrilled to walk you through it from start to finish.

Why This Recipe Will Become a Favourite

• The Best of Both Worlds: Experience the comforting warmth of a Cinnabon roll and the bright, creamy taste of strawberry cheesecake all in one perfect mouthful. It’s indulgence at its finest.
• Looks Complicated, Bakes Simply: While these rolls have the appearance of a high-end patisserie creation, our detailed guide makes these cheesecake stuffed rolls completely achievable for home bakers of any skill level.
• Ideal for Every Celebration: Whether you’re crafting a show-stopping dessert breakfast for a lazy weekend, a delightful brunch treat, or a sweet to share with loved ones, these rolls are sure to be the star.
• Vibrant with Fresh Flavours: We insist on using real strawberries for a beautifully bright fruit sauce that elegantly cuts through the richness of the cream cheese, resulting in a perfectly balanced taste.

Ingredients

• whole milk
• active dry yeast
• caster sugar
• large egg
• unsalted butter
• strong white bread flour
• fresh or frozen strawberries
• lemon juice
• full-fat cream cheese
• vanilla extract
• light brown sugar
• ground cinnamon
• icing sugar

How to Make Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls: Our Step-by-Step Method

Crafting these magnificent rolls is a true labour of love, but we have simplified the process into clear, manageable steps. Follow our guide, and you will be rewarded with the most exquisite treat you’ve ever baked from scratch.

Step 1: Create the Zesty Strawberry Swirl

We start with what gives our rolls their vibrant character. In a small saucepan, mix the chopped strawberries with the caster sugar, cornflour, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Place it over a medium heat, stirring regularly. As the fruit softens, use the back of a spoon to gently crush the pieces. Allow the mixture to come to a low simmer and cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until it thickens to a consistency similar to jam. Remove it from the heat and pour it into a separate bowl to cool down entirely. This step is vital, as a warm filling would cause the dough to become greasy.

Step 2: Activate the Yeast and Prepare the Dough

A soft, fluffy dough is the cornerstone of any exceptional cinnamon roll. To start, we need to awaken our yeast. In the bowl of your stand mixer (or any large mixing bowl), lightly combine the warm milk, yeast, and one tablespoon of caster sugar. Leave this mixture to sit for 5-10 minutes, until you see a frothy layer on top. This ‘blooming’ process confirms your yeast is alive and ready to work. For further guidance on using yeast, King Arthur Baking offers a fantastic guide.

Once your yeast has bloomed, add the rest of the caster sugar, the melted butter, and the egg to the bowl. Whisk everything together. Fit the dough hook to your mixer, then add the bread flour and salt. Mix on a low setting until a rough dough begins to form. Turn the speed up to medium and knead for 6-8 minutes, by which time the dough should be smooth, stretchy, and pulling cleanly from the bowl’s sides. If you’re kneading by hand, tip the dough onto a lightly floured worktop and knead for approximately 10 minutes.

Shape the dough into a ball, pop it into a lightly greased bowl, and cover with a clean tea towel. Let it rise in a warm, draught-free spot for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in volume.

Step 3: Whip Up the Luscious Fillings

While the dough is enjoying its first proof, we can get our two delectable fillings ready. In a small bowl, stir together the light brown sugar and ground cinnamon until they are thoroughly mixed. Set this aside for later.

In another medium-sized bowl, use an electric hand mixer to beat 225g of softened cream cheese with 50g of caster sugar and 1 tsp of vanilla extract. Continue beating until the mixture is perfectly smooth and creamy. This will form our irresistible cheesecake layer.

Step 4: Assembling Your Masterpiece

Here comes the most exciting part! After the dough has doubled, gently punch it down to release the air and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.

1. Roll the dough into a large rectangle, aiming for dimensions of around 12×18 inches (30×45 cm).
2. With an offset spatula, spread the 55g of softened butter evenly across the dough, ensuring you leave a small gap along one of the longer edges.
3. Generously sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the buttered surface.
4. Delicately spread the cheesecake filling on top of the cinnamon sugar. Don’t worry if it blends a little.
5. Spoon dollops of the fully cooled strawberry mixture over the cheesecake layer, then use a knife or spatula to gently swirl it through.
6. Beginning with the long edge nearest to you, carefully roll the dough into a snug log. Pinch the final seam firmly to seal it shut.
7. For the cleanest cuts, use a sharp serrated knife or a piece of unflavoured dental floss to slice the log into 12 equal rolls.
8. Arrange the rolls, cut-side facing up, in a greased 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking dish.

Step 5: The Final Rise and Baking to Perfection

Drape the tea towel over the baking dish and allow the rolls to have their second rise in a warm place for another 30-45 minutes. They should look puffy and be nestled cosily against each other. As they rise, preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C Fan/Gas Mark 4).

Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, until they are a lovely golden brown and the filling is bubbling away. If you notice them browning too quickly, you can cover them loosely with a piece of foil for the final 10 minutes of baking time.

Step 6: The Iconic Cream Cheese Icing

While your rolls are in the oven, it’s time to prepare the final flourish. In a medium bowl, beat the 115g of softened cream cheese until it’s perfectly smooth. Add the sifted icing sugar and vanilla extract, then beat again until well incorporated. Pour in the milk, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until you achieve the ideal consistency for drizzling.

Once baked, let the rolls cool in the dish for about 10-15 minutes before lavishly spreading the cream cheese icing over the warm tops. The residual heat will help the icing melt beautifully into every crevice.

Our Top Tips for Flawless Fruity Cinnamon Rolls

• The Importance of Room Temperature: To achieve the smoothest fillings and a dough that comes together effortlessly, ensure your eggs, butter, and cream cheese have all been brought to room temperature before you start.
• Avoid Over-Baking: The secret to a perfectly soft and gooey roll is to remove them from the oven as soon as they’re beautifully golden and cooked through. Baking for too long will result in dry, disappointing rolls.
• Use Dental Floss for Perfect Slices: To get perfectly shaped rolls without squashing your beautiful filling, simply slide a length of unflavoured dental floss underneath the log, cross the ends over, and pull tightly to slice.
• Be Patient with Proofing: Never rush the two rising stages. This is when the magic truly unfolds, developing the complex flavours and creating that wonderfully light, airy texture that makes these fruity cinnamon rolls so special.

Fun Variations and Easy Substitutions

One of the greatest joys of baking is putting your own spin on a recipe. These rolls are incredibly adaptable. Much like with our Pretzel Bottom Caramel Brownies, where the foundation is everything, this dough serves as an ideal base for experimenting with other flavours.

• Experiment with Other Berries: Don’t hesitate to swap the strawberries for raspberries, blueberries, or even a delicious mixed berry compote.
• Introduce Some Zest: For an extra layer of brightness, try adding the zest of a whole lemon to either the cheesecake filling or the final icing.
• A Time-Saving Shortcut: If you find yourself short on time, a high-quality, thick strawberry jam can be used as a substitute for the homemade fruit swirl.

If you have a passion for creating unique sweet fillings from scratch, you might also love making your own Homemade Pistachio Cream, which is perfect for a wide range of other pastries and desserts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion: The Ultimate Treat You’ve Been Dreaming Of

And there you have it—a recipe that genuinely offers the best of two beloved desserts. These Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls are a rewarding project where the delicious result is worth every moment of effort. The blend of fluffy, spiced dough, rich cheesecake, bright fruit, and sweet frosting is simply divine. They are a certified showstopper for any gathering, guaranteed to fill your kitchen with an enchanting aroma and your spirits with pure happiness.

We are so excited for you to bake our ultimate sweet strawberry rolls. When you give them a go, we would love it if you left a comment below to tell us what you thought. And please, don’t forget to share this recipe with someone special who deserves an extraordinary treat!

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Prep: 45 mins (plus 1.5-2 hours rising time)
Cook: 30 mins
Yields: 12 rolls

Ingredients

• For the Dough: 1 cup (240ml) whole milk (warmed), 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast, 75g caster sugar, 1 large egg (room temp), 55g unsalted butter (melted), 4 cups (500g) strong white bread flour, 1 tsp salt
• For the Strawberry Swirl: 2 cups (300g) fresh or frozen strawberries (chopped), 50g caster sugar, 1 tbsp cornflour, 1 tbsp lemon juice
• For the Cheesecake Filling: 225g full-fat cream cheese (softened), 50g caster sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract
• For the Cinnamon Filling: 55g unsalted butter (softened), 110g light brown sugar, 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
• For the Cream Cheese Icing: 115g full-fat cream cheese (softened), 120g icing sugar (sifted), 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, 1-2 tbsp milk

Instructions

1. Make Strawberry Swirl: In a saucepan, combine strawberries, sugar, cornflour, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until thickened like jam. Set aside to cool completely.
2. Make Dough: In a large bowl, activate yeast in warm milk with 1 tbsp of the sugar for 5-10 mins. Whisk in the remaining sugar, egg, and melted butter. Add flour and salt, then knead for 6-8 mins until smooth. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1-1.5 hours until doubled.
3. Prepare Fillings: While dough rises, mix brown sugar and cinnamon for the cinnamon filling. In a separate bowl, beat 225g cream cheese, 50g sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla until smooth for the cheesecake filling.
4. Assemble Rolls: Punch down the risen dough and roll into a 12×18 inch rectangle. Spread with 55g softened butter, sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar mix, then evenly spread the cheesecake filling. Dollop and gently swirl the cooled strawberry mixture on top.
5. Slice and Second Rise: Roll the dough into a tight log and slice into 12 equal rolls. Arrange in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Cover and let rise for another 30-45 minutes until puffy. Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C Fan).
6. Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Let cool slightly in the dish.
7. Ice and Serve: Beat 115g cream cheese until smooth. Add sifted icing sugar and vanilla, then beat again. Add milk, 1 tbsp at a time, until you reach a drizzling consistency. Spread generously over the warm rolls.

Nutrition (per roll, approximate):
Calories: 465,
Carbs: 65 g,
Protein: 7 g,
Fat: 18 g