If you’ve ever dreamed of a breakfast pastry that’s as lush and inviting as dessert, the Best Strawberry Cheesecake Sweet Rolls Recipe is destined to be your new favorite. Imagine a swirl of tender, buttery dough hugging a creamy cheesecake filling and a layer of sweet-tart strawberry jam, all crowned with a luscious cream cheese glaze. Each bite is bursting with berry flavor and velvet richness — perfect for brunch, holidays, or any morning in need of a cheerful upgrade.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe plays a star role, coming together with simple magic to give these sweet rolls their pillowy texture, vibrant flavor, and mouthwatering aroma. Keep these items on hand and you’ll always be just a couple hours away from a tray of pure happiness.
- Warm Milk: Acts as the liquid base and helps activate the yeast for a tender, fluffy dough.
- Active Dry Yeast: Essential for rise and making your sweet rolls wonderfully soft and airy.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens both dough and filling; also helps yeast feed and flourish.
- Egg & Egg Yolk: Adds richness, structure, and that classic golden color to the rolls.
- Unsalted Butter (melted & softened): Lends buttery flavor throughout the dough and the glaze.
- All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the dough, providing structure while keeping things tender.
- Salt: Enhances flavor and balances the sweetness.
- Cream Cheese (softened): Delivers that unmistakable creamy cheesecake swirl inside and in the icing.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, fragrant depth to both filling and glaze.
- Strawberry Jam or Preserves: The fruity heart of every roll; swirl it in generously for that beautiful color and burst of berry taste.
- Powdered Sugar: Key to a silky-smooth, sweet glaze to drizzle generously over the top.
- Milk (for icing): Helps create the perfect drizzling consistency for the glaze.
- Optional Fresh Sliced Strawberries: A refreshing garnish that almost steals the show with their jeweled, juicy look.
How to Make Best Strawberry Cheesecake Sweet Rolls Recipe
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Start with warm milk in a large mixing bowl, sprinkling the yeast over the top. Let it sit undisturbed for 5 to 10 minutes until you see a creamy, foamy surface develop. This step ensures your yeast is alive and raring to go for the lightest rolls imaginable.
Step 2: Create and Knead the Dough
To the milk and yeast mixture, beat in the sugar, egg, egg yolk, and melted butter. Gradually add in the flour and salt, mixing until a shaggy dough forms. Knead either by hand or with a mixer for 8 to 10 minutes to achieve a smooth, elastic feel. Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise in a warm spot for an hour, or until doubled in size. This is where the magic of pillowy sweet rolls begins.
Step 3: Mix the Cheesecake Filling
While your dough is working its wizardry, whip together the softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla. Aim for a smooth, spreadable consistency—this layer will bring that classic cheesecake flavor right into the heart of your rolls.
Step 4: Roll, Fill, and Slice
Once your dough is ready, roll it out to a 14×9-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Evenly spread the prepared cream cheese filling across the dough, then add the strawberry jam right on top for a gorgeous, fruit-filled swirl. From the long side, roll the dough up tightly to form a log. Slice into 12 generous rolls—admire those pretty spirals!
Step 5: Second Rise and Bake
Arrange your rolls in a well-greased 9×13-inch baking dish with a bit of space between each. Cover and let them rise again for 30 to 45 minutes so they fluff up even more. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), then bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden, fragrant, and utterly irresistible.
Step 6: Glaze and Finish
While the rolls are still warm, whisk together powdered sugar, softened cream cheese, butter, milk, and vanilla until smooth and creamy. Drizzle or slather this icing over every roll. If you’re feeling extra, garnish with fresh strawberry slices for a pop of color and juicy bite. Dive in while they’re still slightly warm for the ultimate Best Strawberry Cheesecake Sweet Rolls Recipe experience!
How to Serve Best Strawberry Cheesecake Sweet Rolls Recipe
Garnishes
Elevate your sweet rolls by topping them with fresh, sliced strawberries. Not only do they look stunning, but they add an extra burst of freshness that plays beautifully with the rich, creamy filling and pillowy dough.
Side Dishes
The Best Strawberry Cheesecake Sweet Rolls Recipe shines all on its own, but it’s a superstar when served alongside a light fruit salad, crisp bacon, and a hot mug of coffee or tea. These sides bring a lovely contrast and turn breakfast or brunch into a festive affair.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the sweet rolls in a pretty circle on a large platter and drizzle the glaze in front of guests for a wow-worthy moment. For brunch parties, try baking them in a round cake pan for a pull-apart effect. Individualize servings with parchment liners for picnics or to-go treats.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you somehow end up with leftovers, place them in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to three days. The flavors will meld and deepen, making these even more divine the next day.
Freezing
To freeze, assemble and slice your unbaked rolls, arrange them in a pan, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to a month. When you’re ready, let them thaw and rise overnight in the fridge before baking as instructed. You can also freeze baked, unglazed rolls and simply revive them in the oven before adding fresh glaze.
Reheating
To bring that just-baked magic back, pop leftover rolls in a 300°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or microwave individual rolls for about 20 seconds. Add a touch more glaze if you’ve got some left—total indulgence.
FAQs
Can I use fresh strawberries instead of jam in the Best Strawberry Cheesecake Sweet Rolls Recipe?
Absolutely! Chopped fresh strawberries add a tangy, vibrant kick. Just sprinkle them evenly over the cream cheese layer before rolling the dough for a deliciously juicy variation.
Why do I need a second rise after shaping the rolls?
The second rise allows the shaped rolls to puff up, ensuring an ultra-soft, fluffy texture once baked. Don’t skip this step—your patience will be rewarded!
How can I make these rolls ahead for a special brunch?
You can assemble the rolls, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Let them sit at room temperature while the oven preheats the next morning, then bake as usual. Fresh, warm sweet rolls without the morning rush!
Is there a way to make these rolls a bit healthier?
Consider using reduced-fat cream cheese and low-sugar jam. Swapping in some whole wheat flour for part of the all-purpose flour can also add fiber without sacrificing softness.
Do the Best Strawberry Cheesecake Sweet Rolls Recipe need to be refrigerated?
Because of the cream cheese filling and glaze, it’s best to store leftover sweet rolls in the refrigerator to keep them fresh and safe to eat.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you give the Best Strawberry Cheesecake Sweet Rolls Recipe a try. It’s a labor of love that always results in smiles and plenty of requests for seconds. There’s just something magical about the combination of sweet strawberries, velvety cheesecake, and fluffy homemade dough—so gather your ingredients and prepare to enjoy a batch of roll-your-eyes-back deliciousness!
Print
Best Strawberry Cheesecake Sweet Rolls Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours (including rising time)
- Yield: 12 rolls
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful combination of sweet strawberry jam, creamy cheesecake filling, and soft yeasted dough in these scrumptious strawberry cheesecake sweet rolls. Perfect for breakfast or as a dessert!
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 1 cup warm milk
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 egg yolk
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup strawberry jam or preserves
For the topping:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese (softened)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (softened)
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Dough Preparation: In a large bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let sit until foamy. Add sugar, egg, egg yolk, and melted butter. Gradually add flour and salt. Knead until smooth. Let rise for 1 hour.
- Filling: Mix cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Roll dough into a rectangle. Spread cream cheese mixture, then strawberry jam. Roll dough, slice into rolls, place in a baking dish, and let rise.
- Baking: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls for 25–30 minutes until golden brown.
- Icing: Whisk powdered sugar, cream cheese, butter, milk, and vanilla. Drizzle over warm rolls. Garnish with fresh strawberries if desired.
Notes
- For a tangier flavor, use fresh chopped strawberries instead of jam.
- Make ahead by refrigerating unbaked rolls overnight and bake the next morning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
