Description
These soft and fluffy Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls are filled with a luscious strawberry filling and topped with a tangy cream cheese glaze. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, these rolls are irresistibly tender, thanks to the addition of tangzhong in the dough.
Ingredients
For the Strawberry Filling:
3 cups frozen or fresh strawberries
3 tbsp brown sugar, packed
2 tsp lemon juice
1 tbsp + 1 tsp cornstarch
2 tbsp water
For the Tangzhong:
¼ cup all-purpose flour
¾ cup water
For the Dough:
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (see notes for measuring)
⅓ cup granulated sugar
2 tsp instant yeast
¾ tsp fine sea salt
½ cup whole milk, room temperature
1 large egg, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
Tangzhong (from recipe above)
4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
For the Glaze:
1 ounce cream cheese, room temperature
4 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
1–2 tbsp reserved strawberry filling
1 tbsp whole milk
Instructions
Make the Strawberry Filling: In a saucepan, combine strawberries, brown sugar, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries release their juice and soften. In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Add the cornstarch mixture to the strawberries and stir until thickened. Remove from heat and let cool.
Make the Tangzhong: In a small saucepan, whisk together flour and water. Heat over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens and forms a paste. Remove from heat and let cool.
Make the Dough: In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Add warm milk, egg, vanilla, and cooled tangzhong. Mix until the dough starts to come together. Knead in softened butter and continue kneading the dough for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place for 1–2 hours, or until doubled in size.
Assemble the Rolls: Punch down the dough and roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle (about 12×18 inches). Spread the cooled strawberry filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Starting from one edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Slice the log into 12 equal pieces and place them in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover and let the rolls rise for another 30–45 minutes until puffy.
Bake the Rolls: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
Make the Glaze: In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, reserved strawberry filling, and milk. Continue to beat until the glaze is smooth and pourable.
Finish the Rolls: Once the rolls are baked, drizzle the glaze generously over the warm rolls. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Notes
Be sure to measure the flour by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling off the top. Too much flour can result in dry rolls.
You can make the strawberry filling ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days.
If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour as you knead it.
These rolls are best served fresh but can be reheated in the microwave for a few seconds to warm them up.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including resting times)
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American