Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake Rolls (Printable)

Soft yeast rolls filled with creamy cheesecake and fresh strawberries, 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

# How To Make It:

01 - Whisk warm milk, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Let stand 5 minutes until foamy. Add melted butter, egg, and salt. Gradually incorporate flour until soft dough forms. Knead 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in greased bowl, cover, and rise 1 hour until doubled.
02 - Combine strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice in saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and jam-like, 6-8 minutes. Cool completely before using.
03 - Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth and fluffy. Set aside until ready to assemble.
04 - Punch down risen dough and roll into 16x12 inch rectangle on floured surface. Spread cheesecake filling evenly, leaving 1/2-inch border. Top with cooled strawberry mixture. Roll tightly from long side to form log. Slice into 12 equal pieces.
05 - Arrange rolls cut-side up in greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover and let rise 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake 22-25 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Cool slightly.
06 - Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over warm rolls just before serving.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The cream cheese filling stays creamy even after baking, creating these incredible pockets of cheesecake inside each roll
  • They bridge the gap between breakfast pastry and dessert, making them perfect for brunch or midnight snacks
02 -
  • The strawberry filling MUST cool completely before spreading, or it will melt the cream cheese and create a messy situation
  • Use unflavored dental floss or fishing line to slice the log instead of a knife for the cleanest cuts
03 -
  • Warm your measuring cup with hot water before measuring the milk, it helps maintain that perfect yeast activating temperature
  • Rotate the baking dish halfway through baking if your oven has hot spots for even browning