Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fresh and Fruity: The addition of strawberry pie filling provides a burst of fruity flavor that complements the warm cinnamon.
- Tangy Glaze: The lemon cream cheese glaze adds a zesty finish, balancing the sweetness of the rolls.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Ideal for breakfast, brunch, or as a sweet snack with your favorite beverage.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 3¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- ¼ cup white sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup water
- ¾ cup milk
- ⅓ cup butter, softened
For the Filling:
- 1 (21 oz) can strawberry pie filling
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon sugar
For the Glaze:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup half and half
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from one lemon)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the milk and butter. Stir until the butter has melted, then remove from heat and let it cool until lukewarm.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2¼ cups flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Add the egg and water, then mix until just starting to combine. Slowly pour in the milk mixture and the remaining 1 cup of flour, mixing until the dough starts to form and become smooth. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
- Roll Out the Dough:
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a large 9×15-inch rectangle, about ¼ to ½ inch thick.
- Spread the strawberry pie filling evenly over the dough.
- In a small bowl, combine the cinnamon and sugar, then sprinkle it evenly over the strawberry filling.
- Form the Rolls:
- Starting from the 15-inch side, carefully roll up the dough into a log and pinch the seams to seal.
- Cut the log into 9 to 12 slices and place them in a greased 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Cover with a damp cloth and let rise for 30 minutes.
- Bake the Rolls:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake the rolls for 30 minutes or until just golden brown on top.
- Prepare the Glaze:
- While the rolls are baking, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, beat together the cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar until smooth.
- Add the half and half, vanilla, lemon juice, and lemon zest, and mix until combined.
- Glaze and Serve:
- Drizzle the glaze over the warm cinnamon rolls once they are out of the oven.
- Allow them to cool slightly before serving.
Servings and Timing
- Yield: Serves 12
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Variations
- Mixed Berry Rolls:
- Replace the strawberry pie filling with a mixed berry filling for a different fruity flavor.
- Nutty Addition:
- Add chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, to the filling for added texture and flavor.
- Chocolate Drizzle:
- Drizzle melted chocolate over the glaze for a richer, more indulgent treat.
- Citrus Twist:
- Incorporate orange zest into the glaze for a citrusy complement to the strawberry filling.
- Spiced Rolls:
- Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the cinnamon-sugar mixture for a warm, spiced flavor.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigeration:
- Store any leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing:
- To freeze the cinnamon rolls, allow them to cool completely, then wrap each individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
- Thawing and Reheating:
- When ready to enjoy frozen cinnamon rolls, remove them from the freezer and let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in the microwave or oven
Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls with Lemon Cream Cheese Glaze
These Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls are a refreshing twist on a classic favorite, filled with strawberry pie filling and topped with a tangy lemon cream cheese glaze. The fruity sweetness of strawberries and the zesty lemon finish make these rolls perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: Serves 12
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 3¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- ¼ cup white sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup water
- ¾ cup milk
- ⅓ cup butter, softened
For the Filling:
- 1 (21 oz) can strawberry pie filling
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon sugar
For the Glaze:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup half and half
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a small saucepan, combine milk and butter. Heat over medium-low until the butter melts, then remove from heat and let it cool to lukewarm.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2¼ cups flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Add the egg and water, mixing until partially combined. Slowly pour in the milk-butter mixture and the remaining 1 cup of flour, mixing until smooth. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
- Roll Out the Dough:
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a 9×15-inch rectangle, about ¼ to ½ inch thick.
- Spread the strawberry pie filling evenly over the dough.
- Add Cinnamon-Sugar Mixture:
- In a small bowl, combine cinnamon and sugar, then sprinkle evenly over the strawberry filling.
- Form the Rolls:
- Starting from the long side of the rectangle, roll up the dough tightly into a log, pinching the seams to seal.
- Slice the log into 9 to 12 pieces and place them in a greased 9×13-inch baking pan. Cover with a damp cloth and let the rolls rise for 30 minutes.
- Bake the Rolls:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake the rolls for 30 minutes or until golden brown on top.
- Prepare the Glaze:
- While the rolls are baking, beat together cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar in a small bowl until smooth.
- Add half and half, vanilla, lemon juice, and lemon zest, mixing until fully combined.
- Glaze and Serve:
- Once the rolls are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool for about 5 minutes.
- Drizzle the lemon cream cheese glaze over the warm rolls and serve!
- When ready to enjoy frozen cinnamon rolls, remove them from the freezer and let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in the microwave or oven