Strawberry Cinnamon Roll Bliss: A Sweet & Swirly Delight!

Forget boring breakfasts! These Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls are a game-changer. Imagine soft, fluffy dough swirled with a vibrant strawberry filling and a touch of cinnamon, all topped with a luscious glaze. It’s like a warm hug in every bite! Perfect for weekend mornings, special occasions, or just when you need a little extra sweetness in your life. Get ready to impress your taste buds (and anyone you share these with!).

Yields: 12 rolls Prep time: 30 minutes (plus time for dough to rise) Cook time: 20-25 minutes

Equipment:

• Large mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Rubber spatula
• Rolling pin
• 9×13 inch baking dish
• Small saucepan (for glaze)
• Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• ¾ cup warm milk (about 105-115°F)
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 ¼ – 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

For the Strawberry Filling:

• 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and finely diced
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened

For the Cream Cheese Glaze:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ – 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons milk or strawberry juice (from the diced strawberries)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions:

1. Wake Up the Yeast: In your large mixing bowl, whisk together the warm milk, yeast, and ¼ cup of sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy. This means your yeast is active and ready to work its magic!
2. Combine Wet Ingredients: Stir in the egg and melted butter into the yeast mixture.
3. Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the salt and 2 ¼ cups of flour to the wet ingredients, mixing with a rubber spatula until a shaggy dough forms.
4. Knead to Perfection: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 5-7 minutes, adding more flour as needed (about ¼ to ½ cup), until the dough is smooth and elastic. It should be slightly tacky but not sticky.
5. First Rise: Lightly grease the mixing bowl. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size. This is where the magic happens – patience is key for those fluffy rolls!
6. Make the Strawberry Filling: While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. In a medium bowl, gently toss the diced strawberries with the ¼ cup of sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon. Let it sit for about 10 minutes; the sugar will draw out some of the strawberry juices, creating a lovely saucy filling.
7. Roll It Out: Once the dough has doubled, gently punch it down to release the air. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and roll it into a rectangle about 12×18 inches.
8. Spread the Love: Spread the softened butter evenly over the surface of the dough. Spoon the strawberry filling evenly over the buttered dough, leaving a small ½-inch border along one of the long edges.
9. Roll ‘Em Up: Starting from the long edge opposite the border, tightly roll the dough up like a jelly roll. Pinch the seam to seal.
10. Slice and Arrange: Using a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss, cut the roll into 12 equal pieces. Place the rolls cut-side up in your greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
11. Second Rise: Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and let the rolls rise in a warm place for another 30-45 minutes, or until they look puffy.
12. Bake to Golden Glory: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top.
13. Whip Up the Glaze: While the rolls are baking, prepare the cream cheese glaze. In a small saucepan over low heat, whisk together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Remove from heat and gradually whisk in the powdered sugar until smooth. Add the milk or strawberry juice, and vanilla extract (if using), until you reach your desired consistency. If you want a thinner glaze, add a little more liquid; for a thicker glaze, add more powdered sugar.
14. Glaze and Devour: Once the cinnamon rolls are out of the oven, let them cool in the pan for a few minutes before generously drizzling the cream cheese glaze over the warm rolls. Serve immediately and prepare for happy sighs!

Tips for Strawberry Cinnamon Roll Success (Because We Want You to Bake Like a Star!):

• Warm Milk is Key: Make sure your milk is warm enough to activate the yeast but not too hot, which can kill it. Think lukewarm bathwater temperature.
• Room Temperature Love: Using room temperature eggs and softened butter helps everything incorporate smoothly into the dough.
• Don’t Over-Knead: Over-kneading can result in tough rolls. Stop when the dough is smooth and elastic.
• Warm Spot Wonders: A warm place for rising helps the dough rise properly. A slightly warm oven (turned off!), a sunny spot, or even your microwave (turned off!) can work wonders.
• Finely Dice Those Berries: Finely dicing the strawberries ensures they distribute evenly throughout the rolls and release their delicious juices.
• Gentle with the Filling: Be gentle when spreading the strawberry filling to avoid tearing the dough.
• Dental Floss for Clean Cuts: Using unflavored dental floss to cut the rolls gives you cleaner edges than a knife. Just slide it under the roll and cross the ends to slice.
• Don’t Over-Bake: Keep an eye on your rolls while they bake. You want them golden brown but still soft and slightly gooey in the center.
• Glaze Timing: Glazing the rolls while they are still warm allows the glaze to melt slightly and seep into all those delicious nooks and crannies.
• Make Ahead Magic (Almost!): You can prepare the dough up to the point of the second rise, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it overnight. Let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before proceeding with the rolling and baking.

These Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls are a delightful twist on a beloved classic. The sweet strawberries and warm cinnamon create a flavor combination that’s simply irresistible. So, preheat that oven, get your ingredients ready, and prepare to indulge in a swirly, fruity, and utterly delicious treat! Enjoy every single, glorious bite!