These cinnamon rolls were born during my Valentine’s themed home café when I decided everything on the menu needed to be pink, cute, cozy, and honestly just fun. I wanted a cinnamon roll that felt special but still familiar, and strawberries felt like the obvious choice. This recipe hit the nail on the head.
I love classic cinnamon rolls, but making new variations is my favorite part of baking. This one has four different strawberry elements layered throughout, which sounds dramatic but somehow works perfectly. They bake up soft and fluffy like a bakery cinnamon roll, with gooey bottoms and just enough strawberry flavor in every bite without being overwhelming.
These are perfect for a weekend brunch, hosting friends, or making when you want something a little extra but still comforting. Also yes, they are naturally pink, which makes them even better.
Ingredient Breakdown
- Whole Milk
Milk provides moisture and richness to the dough, helping create a soft and tender cinnamon roll. Using whole milk adds fat, which improves texture and flavor. The warmth activates the yeast and jumpstarts fermentation. - Active Dry Yeast
Yeast is what gives these cinnamon rolls their fluffy rise. Blooming it in warm milk ensures it is alive and active before mixing the dough. Proper yeast activation is key for bakery style texture. - Granulated Sugar
Sugar feeds the yeast, helping the dough rise properly. It also adds subtle sweetness to balance the strawberries and cinnamon. Without sugar, the dough would taste flat. - Unsalted Butter
Butter adds richness, flavor, and softness to the dough. Using unsalted butter allows full control over the salt level. Melted butter distributes evenly for a tender crumb. - Eggs
Eggs provide structure and richness while keeping the dough soft. They help bind the ingredients together and create a more bakery style roll. Room temperature eggs mix more evenly into the dough. - Vanilla Extract
Vanilla enhances all the other flavors without overpowering them. It rounds out the sweetness and complements both cinnamon and strawberry. Even a small amount makes a difference. - Bread Flour
Bread flour has a higher protein content, which creates stronger gluten structure. This gives the rolls their soft but fluffy bakery texture. It helps the rolls rise tall instead of spreading flat. - Freeze Dried Strawberries
Freeze dried strawberries add concentrated strawberry flavor without extra moisture. Crushing them into a powder naturally tints the dough light pink. This is the secret to strawberry flavor in every bite. - Salt
Salt balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor. It also strengthens the dough structure. Even sweet dough needs salt to taste complete. - Brown Sugar
Brown sugar adds moisture and a deep caramel flavor to the filling. It melts beautifully during baking, creating gooey centers. The molasses pairs perfectly with cinnamon. - Cinnamon
Cinnamon is the heart of any cinnamon roll. It adds warmth and spice that balances the sweetness of the strawberries. This keeps the rolls from tasting overly fruity. - Strawberry Jelly or Preserves
Strawberry jelly adds concentrated strawberry flavor and moisture to the filling and frosting. It melts into the rolls while baking, creating sticky layers. It also naturally colors the frosting pink. - Fresh Strawberries
Fresh strawberries add texture and bursts of real fruit flavor. Finely chopping them prevents excess moisture. They make the rolls taste fresh and bright. - Cream Cheese
Cream cheese creates a tangy, creamy frosting that balances the sweetness of the rolls. It adds richness without being heavy. Room temperature cream cheese ensures a smooth frosting. - Powdered Sugar
Powdered sugar sweetens and thickens the frosting. It dissolves easily, creating a smooth texture. The amount can be adjusted for desired consistency. - Milk in Frosting
Milk thins the frosting to a spreadable consistency. Adding it slowly prevents runny frosting. It helps create a soft, swoopy finish.
Substitutions
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Use all purpose flour instead of bread flour for a softer structure
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Swap strawberry jelly for raspberry or mixed berry
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Use dairy free butter and cream cheese alternatives if needed
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Replace milk with almond or oat milk
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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It has four layers of strawberry flavor in one cinnamon roll, which makes every bite actually taste like strawberry and not just hint at it
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The dough bakes up soft and fluffy like a bakery cinnamon roll with gooey, melt in your mouth bottoms
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The light pink color comes naturally from real strawberries, so it is cute without using food coloring
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It feels special enough for hosting but is still totally doable at home
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The strawberry cream cheese frosting melts into the warm rolls and ties everything together perfectly
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These are perfect for weekend brunch, holidays, or anytime you want a fun twist on a classic
Equipment Needed
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Stand mixer with dough hook or a large mixing bowl if kneading by hand
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Microwave safe bowl or small saucepan for warming milk and butter
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Sharp knife or pizza cutter
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Mixing bowls for filling and frosting
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Hand mixer or stand mixer for the frosting
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Clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap for rising
Make Ahead Options
These strawberry cinnamon rolls are perfect for prepping in advance. Choose the option that works best for your schedule.
Option 1: Overnight Cinnamon Rolls (Best for Fresh Baked Rolls)
This is the best option if you want warm, fluffy cinnamon rolls in the morning with minimal effort.
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Prepare the dough and complete the first rise as directed.
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Roll out the dough, add the filling, shape the rolls, and place them in the baking dish.
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Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight for 8 to 12 hours.
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In the morning, remove the rolls from the fridge and let them sit at room temperature for 45 to 60 minutes until slightly puffy.
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Bake as directed, then frost and serve warm.
Option 2: Bake Ahead and Reheat (Best for Busy Mornings)
This option is great if you want everything done ahead of time.
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Prepare and bake the cinnamon rolls fully according to the recipe.
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Let the rolls cool completely.
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Cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil.
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Store at room temperature for up to 24 hours or refrigerate for longer storage.
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Reheat before serving and frost once warm for the best texture.
Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls with Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 cup warm whole milk 100 to 110°F
- 3 teaspoons active dry yeast
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter melted
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 ¾ cups bread flour
- ¼ cup finely crushed freeze dried strawberries
- 1 teaspoon salt
Filling
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup strawberry jelly or preserves
- ½ cup finely chopped fresh strawberries
Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 3 tablespoons strawberry jelly or preserves
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Optional
- ¼ cup warm heavy cream for baking
Instructions
Activate the Yeast
- Warm the milk to 100 to 110°F. It should feel warm but not hot.
- Pour the milk into the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast over the top.
- Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy. If the yeast does not bubble, start over with fresh yeast.
Make the Dough
- Add granulated sugar, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla to the yeast mixture. Mix until combined.
- Add bread flour, crushed freeze dried strawberries, and salt.
- Knead using a dough hook on medium speed for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and slightly tacky.
- Transfer dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 60 to 90 minutes until doubled in size.
Roll and Fill
- Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface into a 12 by 18 inch rectangle.
- Brush the melted butter evenly over the dough.
- Spread the strawberry jelly evenly over the surface.
- Mix brown sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle evenly over the dough.
- Sprinkle chopped strawberries evenly across the filling.
Shape the Rolls
- Slice the dough into 12 even strips.
- Roll each strip tightly and place seam side down in a greased 9 by 13 inch baking dish.
Second Rise
- Cover and let rise for 30 to 45 minutes until puffy.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
Bake
- Pour warm heavy cream over the rolls if using.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until lightly golden and centers are just set.
Make the Frosting
- Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Add strawberry jelly and vanilla and mix until combined.
- Slowly mix in powdered sugar, then milk until desired consistency.
Frost and Serve
- Spread frosting over warm cinnamon rolls and serve.
Video
Notes
After shaping the rolls, cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. Let sit at room temperature for 45 to 60 minutes before baking. Make Ahead
Bake fully, cool, and store unfrosted. Reheat before serving and frost fresh.
Nutrition
Storage Instructions
Room temperature for up to 2 days
Refrigerator for up to 5 days
Freezer for up to 3 months unfrosted
Reheating Instructions
Microwave individual rolls for 15 to 20 seconds
Oven at 300°F for 10 minutes covered
Tips for Gooey Bakery Style Cinnamon Rolls
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Use bread flour for the softest texture
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Do not overheat the milk or it can kill the yeast
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Finely chop strawberries to prevent soggy filling
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Slightly underbake for gooey bottoms
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Frost while warm so it melts into every layer
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why use freeze dried strawberries instead of fresh in the dough
Freeze dried strawberries add flavor without extra moisture. Fresh strawberries would make the dough too wet.
Can I make these less sweet
Yes, reduce the frosting or use less filling sugar.
Why are my rolls not fluffy
This usually means the yeast did not activate or the dough was underkneaded.
Can I double the recipe
Yes, double all ingredients and bake in two pans.
Do you LOVE Cinnamon Rolls?! Check Out More of my Favorite Cinnamon Roll Recipes:
Hot Cocoa Cinnamon Rolls with Marshmallow Fluff Frosting
Fluffy Sugar Cookie Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
Salted Caramel Espresso Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
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