Name: Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Prep time: 1 h 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3/4 cup milk; 1/2 cup butter (1 stick, or 4 oz.); 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 (0.25 ounce) package instant yeast (or 2 1/4 teaspoons); 1/4 cup white sugar; Zest of 1 lemon; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 egg; 1/2 batch of strawberry compote (approximately 3/4 cup); 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional); 2 tablespoons softened butter; 4 oz cream cheese; 2 tablespoons strawberry compote; 1 1/2 to 2 cups powdered sugar (depending on sweetness preference); Heavy cream or milk as needed to thin icing

Let me share with you a cozy favorite that feels like a warm hug in pastry form: a Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls Recipe loaded with sweet strawberry compote, a hint of cinnamon, and topped with luscious strawberry cream cheese frosting. Trust me, these rolls will brighten any morning or dessert table.

A clear white glass tray holds eight strawberry rolls covered in thick white icing that looks creamy and smooth. Each roll has two visible layers: a light tan dough layer rolled tightly with a bright red strawberry filling, evenly swirled visible from above. The icing spreads over the rolls, glowing slightly wet and shiny, and some slices of fresh red strawberries with green leaves decorate the top. The tray sits on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m genuinely thrilled to share this recipe because it perfectly balances classic cinnamon roll comfort with a fresh, fruity twist. Making these strawberry cinnamon rolls feels like a special treat — yet they're totally doable in your own kitchen.

Soft, Buttery Dough: The dough is tender and elastic, making for rolls that pull apart with ease.
Sweet & Fruity Filling: The strawberry compote adds a fresh burst that pairs beautifully with the warm cinnamon.
Creamy Strawberry Frosting: A luscious cream cheese glaze with strawberry flavor makes these rolls extra irresistible.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether breakfast, brunch, or dessert, they bring everyone together for a moment of indulgence.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Choosing the right ingredients can make all the difference with baked goods — especially with cinnamon rolls. I recommend fresh, high-quality dairy and ripe strawberries if you’re making your own compote. Here’s a quick rundown of the essentials and why they matter.

Flat lay of fresh whole brown egg with smooth clean shell, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fresh milk, a small white ceramic bowl containing softened butter, a neat pile of all-purpose flour on the white ceramic plate, a small white ceramic bowl holding white granulated sugar, a fresh lemon with bright yellow skin and a few strips of lemon zest, a small white ceramic bowl filled with rich red strawberry compote, a small white ceramic bowl with fine ground cinnamon powder, a small white ceramic bowl containing soft cream cheese, a small white ceramic bowl filled with powdered sugar, and a few fresh whole strawberries with green leaves, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Milk: Using milk makes the dough soft and lends a subtle richness that water can’t match.
Butter: Essential for that buttery flavor and tenderness in the dough and frosting.
All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of your dough; provides the right texture and structure.
Instant Yeast: Speeds up the rise, so you get fluffy rolls without a long wait.
White Sugar: Adds just the right touch of sweetness to the dough and helps yeast activation.
Lemon Zest: A little zing that brightens the flavor without overpowering the strawberry.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the overall flavor of the rolls.
Egg: Adds richness and helps bind the dough for a tender crumb.
Strawberry Compote: The star filling that brings fruity sweetness and a bit of moisture.
Cinnamon (optional): Adds warm spice and depth to the compote filling if you like it cozy.
Cream Cheese: For the frosting — creamy, tangy, and perfect with strawberries.
Powdered Sugar: Sweeter and smoother than granulated; essential for silky frosting texture.
Heavy Cream or Milk: To adjust the frosting’s consistency so it spreads just right.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is how easy it is to tailor to your tastes and lifestyle. Whether you want a bit more cinnamon warmth or prefer a brighter strawberry zing, you can make these rolls uniquely yours.

Switch up the filling: I love adding a pinch of cinnamon to the strawberry compote for a cozy touch, but if you're not a fan, feel free to leave it out or try adding a splash of vanilla extract for a different flavor twist.
Brighten it up with citrus zest: The lemon zest in the dough adds a subtle freshness. I sometimes experiment with orange zest instead, which gives a lovely fall vibe to the rolls.
Go dairy-free: For a dairy-free version, swap the butter and milk with plant-based alternatives like coconut oil and almond milk—just make sure the milk is lukewarm when you mix it with the yeast!
Frosting fun: If you want a lighter topping, skip the cream cheese and mix strawberry compote with powdered sugar and just enough milk to drizzle rather than spread.
Fresh berry boost: Garnishing with fresh strawberry slices after baking not only adds color but also a fresh burst of flavor that pairs beautifully with the sweet frosting.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

A soft, light tan cinnamon roll with a visible spiral layer structure sits on a white plate on a white marbled surface. The top layer is covered with a shiny, smooth light pink icing that drips slightly down the sides. Inside the spiral, there are darker pinkish-red swirls of fruit filling adding a textured contrast. A small piece of the roll is broken off, showing the fluffy and moist interior. A silver fork lies next to the roll with some icing and filling smudged on its prongs. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Warm the Milk and Butter Just Right

Start by gently heating ¾ cup of milk in a small saucepan until you see it bubble—don’t let it boil. Remove it from the heat immediately, then stir in ½ cup (one stick) of butter until fully melted. This warm milk-butter mixture is crucial as it creates a tender crumb in the dough. Let it cool until it's lukewarm — too hot, and it might kill your yeast; too cool, and it won’t activate thoroughly.

Step 2: Mix the Dough Ingredients Together

In a large bowl, whisk together 2 ¼ cups of all-purpose flour, 1 package (0.25 oz) of instant yeast, ¼ cup white sugar, ½ teaspoon salt, and the zest of one lemon for a fresh kick. Add 1 egg and the cooled milk-butter mixture, stirring everything with a wooden spoon. Then gradually stir in the remaining 1 cup of flour, half a cup at a time, until the dough begins to form a sticky but manageable ball.

Step 3: Knead Until Smooth and Elastic

Turn your dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. If you have a stand mixer, use the dough hook attachment for ease. The dough should spring back when you press it lightly—this is a sign your gluten is well developed and your rolls will be fluffy.

Step 4: Let the Dough Rest

Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest at room temperature for 10 minutes. This short rest helps relax the gluten and makes the next step—rolling out the dough—much smoother.

Step 5: Roll Out and Spread Your Strawberry Filling

On a floured surface, roll the dough into a 12 by 9-inch rectangle—the size of a 9x13-inch baking dish is a handy guide here. Spread approximately ¾ cup of strawberry compote evenly across the dough, reaching all the edges to ensure every bite is sweet and fruity. If you love a hint of spice, sprinkle ½ teaspoon of cinnamon over the compote.

Step 6: Slice and Shape Your Rolls

Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, slice the dough into 12 strips of equal size. Roll each strip up tightly to keep all that lovely filling snug inside, then place them close together in your 9x13-inch baking pan so they can rise beautifully.

Step 7: Rise and Shine

Cover the pan to keep the dough moist and let the rolls rise in a warm place until they've doubled in size, about 45 minutes. This is the perfect time to preheat your oven to 350°F (190°C).

Step 8: Bake Until Golden and Delicious

Bake the rolls for 25 minutes, or until they're a beautiful golden brown. The kitchen will start smelling like heaven! Once baked, let them cool in the pan for about 10 minutes to set up before frosting.

Step 9: Whip Up the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

In a bowl, beat together 2 tablespoons softened butter and 4 ounces cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Mix in 2 tablespoons of strawberry compote and then add 1 ½ to 2 cups powdered sugar gradually, beating until the frosting is fluffy and spreadable. If it gets too thick, a splash of heavy cream or milk will loosen it just right.

Step 10: Frost, Garnish, and Serve Warm

Spread your luscious strawberry cream cheese frosting over the warm rolls. For an extra special touch, garnish with thin slices of fresh strawberries. Serve immediately and enjoy the irresistible combination of soft dough, sweet filling, and creamy frosting!

Top Tip

These tips will help you create the fluffiest, most flavorful Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls that will impress everyone—whether it’s your first time baking or you’re a seasoned pro.

Perfect Dough Temperature: Always make sure your milk and butter mixture is lukewarm before adding the yeast. Too hot will kill the yeast, too cold and it won’t activate properly.
Don’t Skip the Rest: Letting the dough rest after kneading helps relax the gluten, making the rolls softer and easier to roll without tearing.
Roll Tightly: Rolling the dough strips tight ensures nice spirals filled with compote and cinnamon, giving every bite a burst of flavor.
Watch the Rise: Avoid rushing the rising time; letting the rolls double in size ensures a light and airy texture instead of dense rolls.

How to Serve Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

A clear glass rectangular baking dish holds twelve uncooked rolls arranged in three rows of four. Each roll has two visible layers: a smooth light beige dough layer tightly spiraled around a bright red jelly-like filling that spreads slightly unevenly within the spiral. The dish rests on a white marbled surface with some small jelly smears around the rolls and on the dish edges. The rolls appear soft and thick with rounded edges, and they fill most of the dish's base photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Fresh strawberry slices scattered on top after frosting add a lovely burst of color and a fresh, juicy contrast to the sweet rolls. You can also sprinkle a little extra powdered sugar or a light dusting of cinnamon for extra charm. A few mint leaves give a fresh aromatic touch and a pretty presentation.

Side Dishes

Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls pair beautifully with a cup of hot coffee, chai tea, or a latte for a cozy breakfast. For a brunch spread, serve alongside a fresh fruit salad or mixed greens with citrus vinaigrette to balance the sweetness. A dollop of vanilla yogurt or whipped cream also makes a lovely accompaniment.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to maintain their softness. If you want them to stay fresh longer, refrigerate them for up to 5 days. Before serving, warm them slightly to regain that fresh-baked feel.

Freezing

You can freeze baked rolls or the unbaked, rolled strips before the final rise. For baked rolls, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. For unbaked rolls, freeze on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a bag. When ready to bake, thaw completely, allow the final rise, then bake as usual.

Reheating

Reheat your rolls in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 10 minutes or until warmed through. You can also microwave a roll for 20-30 seconds for a quick warm-up, then refresh with a slather of leftover or fresh frosting for that melty, dreamy texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen strawberries for the strawberry compote?

Yes! Frozen strawberries work well for the compote. Just thaw them first and gently cook down with sugar and a bit of lemon juice to achieve the perfect consistency for the filling.

Is it necessary to add cinnamon to the filling?

No, adding ½ teaspoon of cinnamon is optional. It adds a warm depth and aroma, but the rolls are delicious without it, thanks to the strawberry compote’s natural sweetness and the creamy frosting.

How do I know when the dough has risen enough?

The dough should approximately double in size and look puffy. A good test is to gently press your finger into the dough—if the indentation remains, they’re ready to bake.

Can I make this Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls Recipe vegan?

You can! Substitute the butter with vegan margarine, use a plant-based milk for heating, and replace the egg with a flax egg or commercial egg replacer. For frosting, use vegan cream cheese and a non-dairy milk to keep it creamy.

Final Thoughts

Making these Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls is truly a comforting and joyful experience—a perfect way to brighten up your breakfast table or treat yourself to a scrumptious dessert. With their tender dough, luscious strawberry filling, and creamy frosting, they’re bound to become a new favorite. I hope this recipe fills your kitchen with warmth and sweet aromas, and brings smiles to everyone lucky enough to enjoy them. Happy baking!