Name: Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls
Prep time: 1 h 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup (120ml) whole milk, lukewarm; 2 1/4 teaspoons (7g) active dry yeast; 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar; 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, softened; 1 large egg; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened; 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup (120ml) sour cream or Greek yogurt; 1/2 cup (100g) packed brown sugar; 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup (150g) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced; 1 tablespoon sugar (optional, for extra sweetness); 4 oz (115g) cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup (60g) powdered sugar; 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1-2 tablespoons whole milk, as needed for consistency; Pinch of salt

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These Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls combine the comforting warmth of classic cinnamon rolls with the decadent creaminess of cheesecake and the bright freshness of strawberries. Every bite delivers a perfect harmony of flavors—buttery dough, tangy cream cheese, warm cinnamon, and sweet berries—making these rolls an impressive treat for special breakfasts or dessert.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Perfect for special occasions - These showstopping rolls make any breakfast or brunch feel like a celebration
Impressive but approachable - Despite their gourmet appearance, the step-by-step process is manageable for home bakers
Customizable - The base recipe welcomes variations with different fruits or flavor combinations
Make-ahead friendly - Components can be prepared in advance for less morning stress
Crowd-pleasing - The combination of familiar flavors in a new format delights both kids and adults
Balance of flavors - The tanginess of cheesecake and fresh fruit cuts through the sweetness of traditional cinnamon rolls

Ingredients

(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

All-purpose flour forms the backbone of our dough, providing structure while still allowing for that soft, pillowy texture. For best results, measure by weight if possible, or use the spoon and level method for accuracy.

Active dry yeast brings the essential rise to our dough. Make sure your yeast is fresh—if it doesn't foam when mixed with warm milk, it may be expired and should be replaced.

Milk creates tenderness in the dough. Whole milk provides the best richness, but 2% will work in a pinch. Just make sure it's lukewarm (about 110°F)—too hot will kill the yeast, too cold won't activate it.

Butter adds richness and flavor to both the dough and fillings. Unsalted gives you better control over the final saltiness, but salted butter works with a slight adjustment to added salt.

Eggs provide structure, richness, and help with the beautiful golden color of the finished rolls. Room temperature eggs incorporate more evenly into your dough.

Cream cheese is the star ingredient that transforms regular cinnamon rolls into a cheesecake-inspired treat. Full-fat provides the best texture and flavor, and make sure it's properly softened for smooth incorporation.

Sugar appears in several forms throughout the recipe, each serving a different purpose. Granulated sugar feeds the yeast and sweetens the dough and cheesecake filling, while brown sugar creates that classic caramelized cinnamon roll flavor.

Cinnamon provides the signature warming spice we all associate with classic rolls. Quality matters here—fresh, aromatic cinnamon will significantly impact your final flavor.

Sour cream or Greek yogurt adds tanginess and moisture to the cheesecake filling. Either works beautifully, though Greek yogurt offers a slightly lighter option.

Strawberries bring fresh, bright flavor and beautiful color. Choose ripe, fragrant berries for the best taste—if off-season, good quality frozen berries can work for the filling, though fresh is best for topping.

Vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors in the recipe. Pure vanilla extract (rather than imitation) will give you the most authentic flavor.

Powdered sugar creates the smooth, lump-free icing that crowns the rolls. Its fine texture dissolves easily, creating that perfect drizzling consistency.

Directions

Step 1: Preparing the Dough

Activate the yeast by combining lukewarm milk with yeast in a small bowl. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Create a well in the center.
Add the yeast mixture, softened butter, egg, and vanilla extract to the well. Mix until a dough forms.
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Form the dough into a ball, place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours until doubled.

Step 2: Making the Cheesecake Filling

While the dough rises, beat softened cream cheese in a medium bowl until smooth.
Add granulated sugar, vanilla extract, flour, and sour cream or Greek yogurt. Beat until fully combined and smooth.

Step 3: Preparing the Cinnamon Sugar Filling

In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
Ensure your butter is softened to a spreadable consistency.

Step 4: Assembling the Rolls

After the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release air bubbles.
Roll the dough on a floured surface into a rectangle about 16 x 12 inches.
Spread softened butter evenly over the dough, leaving a small border.
Spoon the cheesecake mixture over the buttered dough and spread evenly.
Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the cheesecake layer.
Starting from the long edge, roll the dough into a tight log. Pinch the seam to seal.
Cut the dough into 12 equal rolls and place in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
Cover and let rise for 30-45 minutes until puffed and touching.

Step 5: Baking the Rolls

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) during the final rise.
Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Cover with foil if browning too quickly.
Remove from oven and cool for about 10 minutes.

Step 6: Preparing the Cream Cheese Icing

Beat softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt.
Add milk gradually until reaching a spreadable consistency.
Drizzle or spread the icing over the warm rolls.

Step 7: Preparing the Strawberry Topping

Slice fresh strawberries thinly and toss with sugar if desired.
Arrange strawberry slices on top of the iced rolls.

Servings and Timing

This recipe yields 12 generous rolls, perfect for serving 12 people as a breakfast treat or dessert. You could stretch it to serve up to 18 people if offering smaller portions as part of a larger brunch spread.

Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes (including rising time)
Bake Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Variations

Berry Medley - Replace strawberries with a mix of berries like raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries for a colorful twist.

Chocolate Lover's Version - Add mini chocolate chips to the filling and drizzle with chocolate ganache instead of cream cheese icing.

Lemon Blueberry - Substitute blueberries for strawberries and add lemon zest to both the cheesecake filling and the icing for a fresh citrus note.

Fall Harvest - Use diced apples instead of strawberries and add a teaspoon of apple pie spice to the cinnamon sugar mixture.

Orange Cranberry - For a holiday version, use dried cranberries in the filling and add orange zest to the dough and icing.

Caramel Pecan - Add chopped pecans to the filling and drizzle with caramel sauce along with the cream cheese icing.

Gluten-Free Option - Substitute a quality 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour (note that texture may differ slightly).

Storage/Reheating

Room Temperature: Freshly baked rolls can be kept at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days. The cream cheese filling makes longer storage at room temperature unsafe.

Refrigeration: For longer storage, refrigerate covered rolls for up to 5 days. The moisture in the refrigerator might affect the texture slightly, but the flavor will remain delicious.

Freezing Baked Rolls: Allow rolls to cool completely, then wrap individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Freezing Unbaked Rolls: After cutting and placing rolls in the baking dish, cover tightly and freeze instead of allowing the second rise. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, allow to rise at room temperature for 1-2 hours until puffy, then bake as directed.

Reheating: For the best texture when reheating, warm individual rolls in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. For multiple rolls, cover with foil and warm in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through.

FAQs

Can I make these rolls ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the rolls through the assembly stage, then cover and refrigerate overnight before the second rise. In the morning, let them sit at room temperature for about 30-45 minutes before baking. Alternatively, you can fully bake them a day ahead and reheat before serving.

Why didn't my dough rise properly?

There are several possible reasons: your yeast might be expired, the milk might have been too hot and killed the yeast, or the room might be too cold. Always check that your yeast foams when activated and keep your dough in a warm (but not hot) spot for rising.

Can I use frozen strawberries?

While fresh strawberries work best for the topping, frozen strawberries can be used in the filling. Thaw and drain them well before using to prevent excess moisture from making your rolls soggy.

How do I know when the rolls are fully baked?

The rolls should be golden brown on top and register around 190°F on an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center. Another test is to gently pull apart the center rolls - they should be set and not doughy.

Can I substitute the cream cheese with a non-dairy alternative?

Yes, there are several plant-based cream cheese alternatives available that work well in this recipe. The texture might be slightly different, but the flavor will still be delicious.

My cream cheese icing is too thick. How can I fix it?

Simply add a bit more milk, a teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. For a thinner drizzle, you'll want more milk; for a thicker spread, use less.

Can I halve this recipe?

Absolutely. You can make a smaller batch using half the ingredients and bake in an 8x8 or 9x9-inch pan. The baking time may need to be reduced slightly, so start checking around 20 minutes.

The rolls are browning too quickly in the oven. What should I do?

If you notice the tops browning before the centers are done, loosely cover the baking dish with aluminum foil for the remainder of the baking time to prevent over-browning.

Can I use rapid-rise/instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes. If using instant yeast, you can skip the activating step and mix it directly with the dry ingredients. You might also find that the rising time is slightly shorter with instant yeast.

How can I ensure clean cuts when slicing the rolls?

For the cleanest cuts, use unflavored dental floss. Slide the floss under the log, cross the ends over the top, and pull to slice through the dough without compressing it. Alternatively, a very sharp knife works well if you clean it between cuts.

Conclusion

These Strawberry Cheesecake Cinnabon Rolls represent the perfect marriage of three beloved treats: the comfort of homemade cinnamon rolls, the decadence of creamy cheesecake, and the fresh brightness of seasonal strawberries. The result is a show-stopping breakfast or dessert that balances sweetness, tanginess, and richness in every bite.

Whether you're serving them for a special weekend breakfast, holiday brunch, or as an impressive dessert, these rolls are guaranteed to make any occasion feel more celebratory. The combination of the soft, pillowy dough with the creamy filling and fresh fruit creates a multi-textural experience that elevates the humble cinnamon roll to gourmet status.

Don't be intimidated by the multiple components - the process is broken down into manageable steps that even novice bakers can master. The reward is well worth the effort, as the aroma of these baking will draw everyone to the kitchen, and the first bite will confirm that you've created something truly special.