Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake Rolls (Printable version)
Soft rolls filled with creamy cheesecake and fresh strawberry jam, topped with sweet vanilla glaze.
# What you'll need:
→ Dough
01 - 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
04 - 1/2 tsp salt
05 - 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
06 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
07 - 1 large egg
→ Cheesecake Filling
08 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
09 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
10 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
→ Strawberry Layer
11 - 1 1/2 cups diced fresh strawberries
12 - 2 tbsp granulated sugar
13 - 2 tsp cornstarch
14 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
→ Glaze
15 - 1 cup powdered sugar
16 - 2 tbsp milk
17 - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
# Directions:
01 - Whisk warm milk, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Let stand 5 minutes until foamy. Mix in melted butter, egg, and salt. Gradually incorporate flour until a soft dough forms. Knead by hand or with dough hook for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Transfer to a greased bowl, cover, and let rise 1 hour until doubled.
02 - Combine strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened to jam consistency, 6-8 minutes. Remove from heat and cool completely before using.
03 - Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract with electric mixer until smooth and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Set aside until ready to assemble.
04 - Punch down risen dough and roll out on floured surface to 16x12 inch rectangle. Spread cheesecake filling evenly over dough, leaving 1/2-inch border. Layer cooled strawberry mixture over cheesecake filling.
05 - Roll dough tightly from longer side to form a log. Cut into 12 equal pieces using sharp knife. Place rolls cut-side up in greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover and let rise 30 minutes until puffy.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake rolls 22-25 minutes until lightly golden and cooked through. Remove from oven and cool slightly in pan before glazing.
07 - Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth consistency forms. Drizzle glaze generously over warm rolls before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The cheesecake filling stays creamy and luscious even after baking thanks to a simple technique I learned after several failed attempts
- Fresh strawberries cooked down into a jam create pockets of intense fruit flavor that burst through every bite
- These rolls strike that perfect balance between dinner roll comfort and dessert indulgence
02 -
- The strawberry filling must cool completely before spreading, or it will melt the butter in your dough and create a mess
- Don't skip the second rise or your rolls will be dense instead of light and fluffy
- Slice the rolls with a sharp knife using a sawing motion to keep the spiral intact
03 -
- Use dental floss to slice the rolls instead of a knife for perfect spiral cuts every time
- Brush the baked rolls with a little melted butter before glazing for extra shine