Soft and fluffy cinnamon rolls filled with strawberry jam filling so you can make them any time of the year, not just during strawberry season. It’s an easy dough that does not require kneading. By using both yeast and baking powder, you get wonderfully soft cinnamon rolls.
No Kneading Required for Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls
With both yeast and baking powder, these cinnamon rolls are super light and fluffy and you don’t even have to knead the dough, just mix it together. Once the dough has risen, a butter, sugar and cinnamon mixture covers the dough, then strawberry jam is spread on top giving you an amazing filling in each bite.
There’s nothing quite like homemade cinnamon rolls to get your weekend or holiday started. Add jam, homemade strawberry or strawberry rhubarb or your favorite brand, on top of a buttery cinnamon sugar base and create a scrumptious gooey strawberry cinnamon roll.
Instead of adding the jam to the top of a melted butter layer, I creamed the butter with the sugars and cinnamon, this makes it easier to spread the mixture over the dough and the filling stays in place when you roll it up.
While they don’t really need a frosting, a cream cheese and butter frosting adds just the right amount of tang and is a nice compliment to the strawberry flavor. I prefer it over a powdered sugar icing any day.
This recipe makes two large pans of rolls, you can make half with the strawberry filling and half just plain or with another flavor of jam, or throw in some raisins and pecans. While I love a traditional cinnamon roll, adding strawberry jam just takes a minute and it adds so much flavor. If peaches are in season, try making some peach cinnamon rolls.
I’ve tried adding fresh strawberries to cinnamon rolls, but by adding jam, you keep the gooey cinnamon roll texture and don’t have all the extra liquid you get if using fresh strawberries.
The best part about making this large batch of cinnamon rolls is that you can freeze some for when you have overnight guests or want to share with friends.
Strawberries Make these the Best!
- A rich buttery dough that is so soft and it doesn’t require kneading
- Fresh strawberry taste without a runny center
- An overnight option
- You can freeze for later
- A scrumptious cinnamon roll with a tangy frosting
What you’ll need
A full list of the ingredients can be found in the Recipe Card below.
- Whole milk – even though it has butter, the best cinnamon rolls need the fat from the milk for a rich soft dough
- Butter – this recipe has lots which is what makes the dough so irresistible
- Yeast – you’ll need two packs, you can use instant or active. If using active, the rising time may be a little longer.
- Strawberry Jam – my homemade is fantastic in these rolls.
Step by step guide for homemade cinnamon rolls
Step 1: Make a yeast dough
Melt the butter in the microwave and add milk and sugar and warm until lukewarm. sprinkle with yeast and add flour and stir to combine. You can do this in a stand mixer with a dough hook, but it’s not necessary.
PRO TIP: If you need a warm humid place for your dough to rise, try placing a glass bowl of water in the microwave and bringing it to a boil. Place the bowl of dough in the warm humid microwave.
Step 2: Add more leavening agents
Once it has risen, add the baking powder, soda, salt and a little more flour and stir to combine.
Step 3: Make a butter paste
Cream butter with cinnamon and brown and white sugar.
Step 4: Add the filling
Divide the dough in half and use a rolling pin to roll out into two 24 x 10 inch rectangles. You can make the dough as thick or thin as you prefer.
Step 5: Let rise a 2nd time
Cut into 1 ½ inch slices and place in pie pans or 9 x 13 pans. Repeat with the other half of the dough. Let rise for 30 minutes while the oven preheats. Bake until golden brown.
Step 6: Make a cream cheese frosting
For the optional frosting, cream the butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla and milk and spread over slightly cooled cinnamon rolls.
FOR OVERNIGHT CINNAMON ROLLS: Tightly cover the pans of rolls with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, let them come to room temperature before placing them in the oven, it will take about 30 minutes
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Jam Filled Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 packages instant or active dry yeast 4 ½ teaspoons
- 9 plus cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon salt
FILLING
- 1½ cups butter room temp
- ¼ cup cinnamon
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup strawberry jam
FROSTING
- 4 tablespoons butter room temp
- 4 ounces cream cheese room temp
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- salt pinch
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a microwave safe bowl. Add milk and sugar and microwave for 1-2 minutes until the sugar has melted. Do not let it come to a boil. Let it cool to lukewarm and then sprinkle the yeast on top and let it sit for 1 minute. Add 8 cups of flour, stir until just combined. Cover with a towel and set aside in a warm place for an hour.
- Remove and add the baking powder, soda, salt and remaining flour. Stir thoroughly to combine.
- FILLING: Cream butter, cinnamon, and sugars together with a hand mixer.
- To assemble the rolls, divide the dough in half. Place one half on a floured surface. Roll into a large rectangle about 24 X 10 inches.
- Spread half of the butter mixture over the dough going all the way out to the edges. Spread ½ of the jam on top.
- Roll the rectangle tightly toward you, using both hands to keep the roll tight. Pinch the seam together when you have finished rolling. Cut into 11/2 inch slices and place in pie pans or a rimmed baking sheet that has been greased with butter. Do not overcrowd the rolls. Repeat with remaining dough.
- Preheat the oven to 375º and let rolls rise for 30 minutes while the oven is preheating. Bake for 13-17 minutes, until golden brown.
- FROSTING: In a bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter and add powdered sugar and vanilla and enough milk to get to the consistency that you want. Spread on partially cooled cinnamon rolls.
Barbara’s Tips + Notes
- If the dough shrinks while you are trying to roll it out, cover it and let it rest for 5 minutes.
- For a warm humid rise, place a bowl of water in the microwave and bring it to a boil. Then add the covered bowl of dough and shut the door.
- Once you have assembled the rolls, you can refrigerate them for up to 24 hours. Cover tightly in plastic wrap and let rise on the counter while the oven preheats.
Nutrition
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Delicious Table says
The BEST Cinnamon roll recipe, thanks for this one!
Barbara Curry says
Thanks, I love anything with strawberries