Strawberries and Cream Rolls Recipe

Sink your teeth into pillowy soft, golden rolls swirled with tangy cream cheese and bright strawberry jam—all finished off with a dreamy, creamy frosting. Strawberries and Cream Rolls are the ultimate treat for busy mornings, lazy brunches, or anytime you want to impress without fussing over complicated steps. With ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen and a method that’s straightforward for beginners and seasoned bakers alike, these rolls guarantee sweet success every time.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Everything you need for this recipe is there for a good reason, and each ingredient shines through:

• Warm Milk: Activates the yeast and gives the dough that soft, rich crumb everyone loves in a breakfast roll.
• Instant Dry Yeast: The essential ingredient for a sky-high, fluffy rise.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps feed the yeast.
• Salt: Don’t ever skip it! Salt enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
• Salted Butter: Adds necessary richness to both the dough and the frosting; go for salted for a lovely contrast.
• Large Egg: Binds the dough together and creates a tender texture.
• All-Purpose Flour: The trusty base for everything. Add just enough for a tacky dough for that classic roll softness.
• Cream Cheese (for Filling and Frosting): Bring to room temperature for easy spreading and ultra-smooth frosting.
• Strawberry Jam: The star filling—choose a quality, chunky jam for best results. It brings juicy pockets of strawberry flavor in every bite.
• Brown Sugar: Sprinkled in the filling for a touch of caramel-like depth.
• Powdered Sugar: For that classic, melt-in-your-mouth frosting.
• Milk (for Frosting): Loosens the frosting just right for spreading.

Variations

Let your imagination run wild with these ideas:

• Berry Lovers: Replace the strawberry jam with raspberry or blueberry preserves—or a mix of berries for a twist.
• Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle finely chopped toasted pecans or almonds over the filling before rolling up.
• Lemon Zest: Add lemon zest to the cream cheese filling or the frosting for a bright, tangy edge.
• Chocolate Drizzle: Once frosted, zigzag a little melted white or dark chocolate on top for a bakery-worthy finish.
• Veganish: Substitute plant-based butter and cream cheese in both the filling and frosting, and use your favorite non-dairy milk for the dough.

How to Make Strawberries and Cream Rolls

Step 1: Make the Dough

In a stand mixer bowl, combine warm milk, instant yeast, sugar, salt, softened butter, and egg. Add flour and start mixing on low speed. As the dough comes together, increase to medium speed. Add a bit more flour as needed, until the dough is tacky but not sticky.

Step 2: First Rise

Shape the dough into a ball and place in a lightly greased bowl. Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size—about 1 hour.

Step 3: Roll and Fill

Punch down the risen dough and roll out to a 12×18-inch rectangle. Spread even layers of cream cheese, then strawberry jam, stopping about an inch from the edges. Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over the jam.

Step 4: Roll Up and Slice

Working from the long edge, roll up the dough tightly into a log. Use a sharp knife or even unflavored dental floss to slice into 12 beautiful, even rolls.

Step 5: Second Rise

Arrange the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking pan. Cover and let rise again for 30–45 minutes, until plump and puffy.

Step 6: Bake

Bake at 325°F for around 18 minutes, until just barely golden on top for that soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Step 7: Frost

While the rolls are baking, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until fluffy, gradually adding powdered sugar. Adjust the texture with a splash of milk. Spread the frosting onto the rolls while they’re still just a bit warm—this way the frosting melts into all the swirls.

How to Serve

These rolls are best served warm, their swirls glistening with creamy frosting. They pair wonderfully with:

• Coffee or Tea: The slight tang of cream cheese and the jam’s sweetness balance perfectly with a hot cup of coffee or black tea.
• Fresh Fruit: Add berries or orange wedges on the side to brighten up your breakfast or brunch.
• A Brunch Spread: Serve alongside savory dishes like scrambled eggs or a spinach frittata for the ultimate brunch treat.
• Dessert: Slightly rewarm leftovers and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dreamy dessert.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store cooled rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for a day, or in the refrigerator for up to 3 days—the texture stays plush when briefly reheated.

Freezing

You can freeze unbaked, sliced rolls after the second rise: arrange in a pan, cover tightly, and freeze. When ready, let them thaw and rise fully at room temp before baking. Baked rolls freeze well, too—just cool completely, freeze, and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Pop rolls in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or warm in a 300°F oven, covered, until just heated through. Frosting will glaze beautifully into the swirls again.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never tried homemade sweet rolls, these Strawberries and Cream Rolls are the perfect place to start. Tender dough, ribbons of fruit and cream, and that luscious creamy topping—these rolls prove you don’t need to be a professional baker to create something absolutely irresistible. Give them a go, share with the people you love, and don’t be surprised if they become your new favorite tradition. Happy baking!

Print