Tips & Variations
- Use fresh strawberries cooked briefly with sugar for a homemade strawberry compote instead of jam; just cool it before spreading to avoid melting the cream cheese.
- Add lemon zest to the cream cheese layer for a brighter, cheesecake‑style flavor that pairs beautifully with strawberries.
- Swap the strawberry jam for raspberry or blueberry jam for other berry‑cream cheese roll variations.
- For overnight rolls, shape them, place in the pan, cover well, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let sit at room temperature until puffy before baking.
Make-Ahead and Storage
- Make the rolls the night before: assemble through shaping, cover, refrigerate, then let rise at room temperature in the morning before baking as usual.
- Baked rolls can be cooled, wrapped well, and frozen for up to about 2 months. Thaw and warm gently in the oven before glazing or refresh with a light drizzle of extra glaze.
FAQ
Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant?
Yes. Bloom active dry yeast in warm milk with a pinch of sugar first, then add it to the dry ingredients, and expect rise times to be slightly longer.
Can I use fresh strawberries instead of jam?
Fresh strawberries work best when cooked into a quick jam or compote to remove excess moisture; using them raw can make the filling watery.
How do I keep the centers from being doughy?
Bake until the tops are golden and an internal spot in the center roll reaches about 190–200°F, or gently pull apart a roll to ensure it looks baked through.
Can I reduce the sweetness?
You can slightly reduce the powdered sugar in the filling or glaze, or use less glaze overall; the dough itself is only lightly sweet.
How long do leftovers keep?
Store cooled rolls covered at room temperature for 1–2 days or in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. Rewarm briefly in the microwave or oven before serving.
Conclusion and Call to Action
Strawberry Cream Cheese Rolls combine soft, enriched dough with a creamy cheesecake layer, sweet strawberry filling, and a simple vanilla glaze for a bakery‑style roll that’s perfect for brunch or special occasions. With clear make‑ahead options and flexible filling variations, they’re an easy way to bring a fruity twist to classic sweet rolls.
When you publish this recipe on your blog, invite readers to rate it, share whether they used jam or homemade compote, and post photos of their swirled rolls. Encourage them to save or pin it so they have a go‑to strawberry cream cheese roll recipe ready for holidays, spring brunches, and weekend baking projects.