Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls

Here’s a delicious recipe for Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls:

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

For the Filling:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 2 cups fresh strawberries, diced

For the Cream Cheese Icing:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

Make the Dough:

1. Activate the Yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm milk and yeast. Let sit for about 5-10 minutes, until it becomes frothy.
2. Mix Dough: Add the sugar, eggs, melted butter, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir to combine. Gradually add the flour, mixing until a soft dough forms.
3. Knead Dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment.
4. First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.

Prepare the Filling:

1. Prepare Filling: In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, sugar, and cinnamon until well combined.
2. Dice Strawberries: Dice the strawberries and set them aside.

Assemble the Rolls:

1. Roll Out Dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out onto a floured surface. Roll it into a large rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick.
2. Spread Filling: Evenly spread the cinnamon-sugar butter over the dough. Sprinkle the diced strawberries on top.
3. Roll Up Dough: Starting from the long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log. Cut the log into 12-15 even pieces.

Bake the Rolls:

1. Second Rise: Place the rolls in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Cover and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until doubled in size.
2. Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.

Make the Cream Cheese Icing:

1. Prepare Icing: In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk, beating until the icing is smooth and creamy.

Finish the Rolls:

1. Ice Rolls: Once the rolls are done baking, let them cool for about 10 minutes before spreading the cream cheese icing on top.
2. Serve: Serve warm and enjoy!

Tips:

• For a tangy twist, you can add a bit of lemon zest to the cream cheese icing.
• You can substitute fresh strawberries with strawberry jam if preferred.
• To make the rolls ahead, you can prepare them up to the second rise, then cover and refrigerate overnight. Let them come to room temperature before baking the next day.