Easy Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls

I have to admit, my first attempt at this was a disaster. I tried to just mix strawberry jam into the filling, and it was a sticky, pink, undercooked mess. My husband, Adam, lovingly called it "strawberry soup." But I was determined! This Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls recipe is the final, perfected result of all my testing. It's a foolproof method for getting that perfect, tangy cheesecake filling and sweet strawberry swirl without turning into soup!

Strawberry cheesecake cinnamon rolls are perfect for breakfast or dessert with their sweet cream cheese filling, fresh strawberries, and graham cracker crumble. Fluffy cinnamon roll dough swirled with sweet strawberry jam and topped with a luscious cream cheese glaze is absolute heaven that brings the bakery experience right to your kitchen.

Why You'll Love This Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls

• Best of both worlds: These rolls combine the comfort of cinnamon rolls with the elegance of strawberry cheesecake in every bite.
• Bakery-quality at home: The cream cheese filling with fresh strawberries creates a luxurious filling that rivals any high-end bakery.
• Perfect for special occasions: Whether it's Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, or Sunday brunch, these rolls make any morning feel celebratory.

Ingredients for Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls

This strawberry cheesecake roll recipe uses enriched dough (milk, butter, egg) for the softest, fluffiest rolls. The homemade strawberry jam provides intense fruit flavor, while the cream cheese glaze / frosting and graham cracker crumble add those signature cheesecake elements. The whipped cream cheese strawberry frosting is the crowning glory.

What You'll Need

For the Dough:

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup whole milk, warmed to 110°F
• ¼ cup butter, melted
• 1 large egg, room temperature

For the Strawberry Cream Cheese Filling:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, diced small
• ½ cup strawberry jam (homemade or store-bought)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Graham Cracker Topping:

• ½ cup graham cracker crumbs
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon sugar

For Garnish:

• Fresh strawberry slices
• Extra graham cracker crumbs

Why These Ingredients Matter

• Enriched dough with milk, butter, and egg: Creates the softest, most tender rolls with a beautiful golden color and rich flavor.
• Fresh strawberries and strawberry jam: Using both gives you intense strawberry flavor plus texture from the fresh fruit pieces.
• Graham cracker crumble: This is what makes these taste like cheesecake, adding that signature crust flavor and crunch.

How to Make Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls

Step-by-Step Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
2. Add warm milk, melted butter, and egg. Mix until a dough forms.
3. Knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled.
5. While dough rises, make the filling: Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
6. Fold in diced fresh strawberries gently.
7. Mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter and sugar. Set aside.
8. Punch down dough and roll into a 12x18-inch rectangle on a floured surface.
9. Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border.
10. Drizzle homemade strawberry jam over the cream cheese layer.
11. Starting from the long side, roll tightly into a log.
12. Cut into 12 equal slices using dental floss or a sharp knife.
13. Place rolls in a greased 9x13-inch baking pan, leaving space between each.
14. Cover and let rise for 30 to 45 minutes for second rise / proofing until puffy.
15. Preheat oven to 350°F.
16. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown.
17. While rolls bake, make frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add powdered sugar, cream, and vanilla.
18. Let rolls cool for 10 minutes, then spread with whipped cream cheese strawberry frosting.
19. Sprinkle with graham cracker crumble and top with fresh strawberry slices.

Hint: For easy strawberry cheesecake cinnamon rolls: spread no-bake cheesecake, freeze-dried strawberries, roll up, bake using store-bought dough to save time.

Making Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls with My Family

Last Mother's Day, my son helped me make these rolls for breakfast. He carefully measured all the ingredients and was fascinated by watching the dough rise. "It's like magic, Mom! It got so big!" he exclaimed. When it came time to spread the filling, he made sure every bit was covered evenly.

The next morning when we pulled them from the oven, the whole house smelled incredible. He took a bite and said, "These are way better than the store ones!" Grandma Viola, who was visiting, tried one and said, "Easy strawberry cheesecake cinnamon rolls recipe with a cream cheese filling, strawberry jam, and graham cracker topping is absolutely divine. These are restaurant-quality."

Substitutions for Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls

• Dough: Use pillsbury strawberry cinnamon rolls or grands strawberry cheesecake cinnamon rolls for a quick shortcut version.
• Berries: Try raspberries, blueberries, or mixed berries instead of fresh strawberries for different flavors.
• Nuts: Add strawberry cheesecake cinnamon rolls with pecans by sprinkling chopped pecans over the filling.
• Gluten-free: Use a gluten-free flour blend for the dough to make these accessible to more people.

Variations on Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls

• Pillsbury version: Make quick strawberry and cream cinnamon rolls pillsbury style using refrigerated dough and adding the cream cheese filling.
• Sourdough version: Try using sourdough discard in the dough for tangy strawberry cheesecake sourdough cinnamon rolls.
• Mini version: Make smaller rolls in a muffin tin for perfect individual portions. Check out these strawberry cinnamon rolls for more strawberry inspiration.

Equipment for Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls

• 9x13-inch baking pan: The perfect size for 12 generous rolls with room to rise and expand.
• Rolling pin: For rolling the dough into an even rectangle for consistent rolls.
• Stand mixer with dough hook: Makes kneading the enriched dough (milk, butter, egg) much easier.
• Dental floss or sharp knife: For cutting clean slices without squishing the rolls.

Storage Tips for Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls

• Refrigerator: Store unfrosted rolls covered for up to 3 days. Add cream cheese glaze / frosting just before serving.
• Freezer: Freeze baked, unfrosted rolls for up to 2 months. Thaw and warm before frosting.
• Make-ahead: Prepare rolls through step 13, refrigerate overnight, then let come to room temperature and rise before baking.

These rolls are perfect for eat cake for breakfast occasions and special cinnamon rolls celebrations. The cream cheese filling with fresh strawberries makes them ideal for cinnamon roll breakfast ideas. They pair beautifully with our homemade cookie butter latte or blended chocolate overnight oats for a complete brunch spread.

FAQ about Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls

Conclusion

After all that trial and error, seeing Adam's eyes go wide when he took a bite of the final, perfect version was the best reward. This recipe is now my proof that a little determination (and a lot of cream cheese!) can make any delicious, crazy idea a reality. These Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls with their cream cheese filling, fresh strawberries, and graham cracker crumble are absolutely worth the effort.

This foolproof method is perfect for special cinnamon rolls and bake day ideas. Whether you make them from scratch or use grands strawberry cheesecake cinnamon rolls as a shortcut, they're always impressive. Try our Amish cinnamon bread recipe or blended chocolate overnight oats for more breakfast inspiration. Enjoy my perfected, fail-proof method!

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Pairing

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