Strawberry Sweet Rolls Recipe

Today I’m bringing you a truly luscious, pink-hued treat that’s guaranteed to warm your soul and brighten any morning: Homemade Strawberry Sweet Rolls! Forget those cinnamon standbys for a minute—this recipe swaps out the classic spice for a bright, jammy, and utterly irresistible strawberry filling, all wrapped up in fluffy, tender dough and topped with a dreamy cream cheese glaze. It’s the perfect sweet and slightly tangy bun that screams springtime, no matter what month it is. This one’s a game-changer, friends, and the ultimate way to make your kitchen smell absolutely divine!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You know how some recipes just give you that cozy, happy feeling? This is one of them. Here’s why these strawberry stunners are about to become a household favorite:

• Bright, Jammy Flavor: We’re using fresh strawberries cooked down into a simple, flavorful filling that delivers a pop of bright, tangy-sweetness in every bite.
• Ultimate Comfort Food: The rolls themselves are pillowy soft—the kind of fluffy, tender dough that melts in your mouth. They’re basically a hug in bun form!
• That Cream Cheese Glaze: Honestly, what’s a sweet roll without a luscious, tangy glaze? This one is simple to whip up and takes the rolls straight over the top.
• Perfect for Brunch: Whether it’s a lazy Sunday or you’re hosting friends, these beautiful pink rolls look impressive and are always the first thing to disappear!

Ingredients

All you need for these incredible Strawberry Sweet Rolls is a little patience (for the rising!) and a few simple ingredients! But first, gather up these essentials. We’re breaking down exactly what each ingredient does to make these rolls magic:

For the Dough

• All-Purpose Flour: This is the foundation of our perfectly soft, tender dough.
• Instant Yeast: The little hero that makes our rolls rise up tall and fluffy!
• Sugar: Adds just a touch of sweetness to the dough itself and, crucially, feeds the yeast to help it proof.
• Salt: Balances out the sweetness and brings all the complex flavors of the dough to life. Don’t skip it!
• Warm Milk: Activates the yeast and adds richness and moisture to the dough.¹ Make sure it’s warm, not hot!
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness, tenderness, and that lovely “melt-in-your-mouth” texture.
• Egg: Acts as a binder and contributes to the beautiful, golden color and structure of the dough.

For the Strawberry Filling

• Fresh Strawberries: The star of the show! Dicing them small helps them break down into a beautiful, jammy spread.
• Sugar: Sweetens the filling and helps draw out the juices from the strawberries.
• Lemon Juice: Don’t skip this! It brightens the flavor of the strawberries and keeps the filling from tasting too flat.
• Cornstarch: This is the magic thickener that keeps our filling jammy and prevents it from running all over the place when we roll the dough.

For the Cream Cheese Glaze

• Cream Cheese: The tangy base for our glaze. Make sure it’s fully softened so you don’t get lumps!
• Butter: Adds richness and smooth texture to the glaze. Also needs to be softened!
• Powdered Sugar (Confectioner’s Sugar): Dissolves instantly to give us that smooth, sweet glaze consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: The essential flavor enhancer that makes the glaze taste irresistible.
• Milk: Used to thin the glaze until it’s perfectly pourable and glossy.

⭐ Friendly Note: The exact measurements for all of these fantastic ingredients will be listed right below this article in the printable recipe card!

How to Make the Strawberry Sweet Rolls

Making sweet rolls might seem intimidating, but I promise it’s just a series of fun, simple steps. Let’s dive in!

Step 1: Mix and Knead the Dough

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Now, add the warm milk, melted butter, and the egg. Mix it all up until a shaggy, soft dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it gently for about 6–8 minutes until it feels smooth and elastic. You’ll know it’s ready when it springs back slightly when you poke it!

Step 2: Let it Rise

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel, and set it in a warm spot. Now for the hard part: waiting! Let it rise for about 1 hour, or until it has happily doubled in size.

Step 3: Cook the Strawberry Filling

While the dough is rising, make your filling! Combine the diced strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch in a saucepan. Cook this over medium heat for about 5–7 minutes, stirring often, until the mixture bubbles and thickens into a beautiful, glossy jam. Transfer it to a bowl and make sure it cools down completely before you spread it (hot filling + soft dough = a mess!).

Step 4: Roll, Spread, and Slice

Once the dough has doubled, punch it down gently to release the air. Roll it out into a large rectangle, aiming for about 1/4-inch thick. Spread that glorious, cooled strawberry filling evenly over the entire surface of the dough. Starting from the long edge, roll the dough up tightly into a log, then slice it into 12 beautiful rolls.

Step 5: Second Rise and Bake

Place the rolls cut-side up in a greased baking dish, cover them, and let them rest for a second, shorter rise (about 30–40 minutes). While they’re resting, preheat your oven to $350^\circ\text{F}$ ($175^\circ\text{C}$). Bake the rolls for 20–25 minutes until the edges are golden brown and they smell utterly irresistible!

Step 6: Glaze and Enjoy!

While the rolls are cooling slightly, whip up the glaze! Beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk, beating until you have a smooth, dreamy glaze consistency. Drizzle, spread, or pour that glaze generously over the warm rolls. Top with extra fresh strawberries for presentation, and then dive right in!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Here are a few quick tips from my kitchen to yours to ensure your sweet rolls turn out absolutely perfect:

• Warm Milk is Key: The milk should be warm to the touch (like a baby bottle), roughly $105^\circ\text{F}$ to $115^\circ\text{F}$ ($40^\circ\text{C}$ to $46^\circ\text{C}$). If it’s too hot, it will kill the yeast; if it’s too cold, the yeast won’t activate properly!
• Roll it Tight: When rolling the dough into a log, make sure you roll it as tightly as possible. This ensures the rolls hold their shape during the second rise and baking, preventing them from unraveling.
• Use Dental Floss for Cutting: For perfectly clean, squish-free slices, slide a piece of unflavored dental floss under the log, cross the ends over the top of the roll, and pull tight to slice! It works like magic.

How to Serve

These strawberry sweet rolls are practically a meal on their own, but here are a few fun ways to enjoy them:

• Brunch Centerpiece: Serve them alongside scrambled eggs and a platter of fresh fruit for the ultimate brunch spread.
• Coffee Pairing: They are absolutely divine with a big mug of your favorite coffee, cappuccino, or a creamy latte.
• Add a Crunch: Sprinkle a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans over the glaze for a contrasting texture.
• Ice Cream Sandwich: Hear me out! Slice a cooled roll in half and put a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream inside for an unforgettable dessert.

Make Ahead and Storage

Want to make these rolls ahead of time? You totally can! They are fantastic whether you make them fresh or prep them the night before.

Storing Leftovers

Place any leftover rolls in an airtight container and store them at room temperature for up to 3 days. Since they contain a cream cheese glaze, if you plan to keep them longer, I recommend refrigerating them for up to 5 days.

Freezing

You have two options here! You can freeze the baked rolls (unglazed) for up to 2 months.² Thaw overnight and reheat, then add the fresh glaze. Alternatively, you can freeze the rolls after the second rise (step 7) for up to 1 month. When ready to bake, thaw them overnight in the fridge, then let them sit at room temperature for 1 hour before baking as directed.

Reheating

The best way to reheat leftovers is to place them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for a quick warm-up, or wrap them loosely in foil and reheat in a $300^\circ\text{F}$ oven for about 10 minutes until warmed through.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh ones for the filling?

Absolutely, you can! Frozen strawberries work beautifully for the filling. Just be aware that they will release more liquid as they cook down, so you may need to cook the filling for a few extra minutes to allow the excess moisture to evaporate and the cornstarch to fully thicken the mixture to that gorgeous, jammy consistency we’re looking for. Make sure to cool the filling completely before spreading it on the dough!

2. I don’t have instant yeast. Can I use active dry yeast?

You sure can! The only difference is that active dry yeast needs to be proofed first. To do this, dissolve the yeast and a pinch of sugar into your warm milk for 5 to 10 minutes until it looks foamy. Once foamy, you can proceed with the recipe, adding the yeast mixture to the dry ingredients as instructed in step 1. You shouldn’t need to change the rising times, but keep an eye on the dough to ensure it doubles in size.

3. What if my dough isn’t rising?

There are a few common culprits! The most likely reason is that your milk was too hot and killed the yeast, or your kitchen is too cold. Make sure your milk is the correct temperature next time. For this batch, try finding a warmer spot, like on top of a running dryer, near a stove (but not touching!), or inside an oven that’s been warmed to its lowest setting (and then turned off). A slightly longer rise time can usually fix the issue.

4. How can I make this recipe dairy-free?

You can easily make these rolls dairy-free! Swap the dairy milk for any non-dairy milk alternative (like oat or almond milk) and use a good quality plant-based butter (like Miyoko’s or Earth Balance) in both the dough and the glaze. For the cream cheese glaze, simply substitute a plant-based cream cheese alternative. The resulting rolls will be just as tender and delicious!