All the best things about a traditional cinnamon roll but with sweet juicy strawberries added in! Top them off with classic cream cheese frosting for the ultimate treat.
Heat the milk in the microwave or on the stove over medium-low heat until warmed to 100 to 110 degrees F. Meanwhile, lightly oil a large bowl and set it aside.
Add the milk, yeast, and 1 teaspoon of the granulated sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes or until the top becomes frothy.
Add the flour, the rest of the sugar, salt, melted butter, and egg. Mix on low speed for 5 to 7 minutes or until the dough becomes smooth. The dough should be a bit sticky but if it is too wet add a tablespoon of flour at a time as needed.
Transfer the dough to the oiled bowl. Cover and place the dough somewhere warm to rise for 1 to 1.5 hours or until doubled in size.
Make The Rolls
Once the dough has risen, press it down and then dump it onto a lightly floured surface. Using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll the dough out into a rough 12x17-inch rectangle.
Lightly butter a 9x13 baking dish and set it aside.
With a pastry brush, spatula, or your hands, spread the softened butter over the top of the rolled-out dough.
Mix the cinnamon and brown sugar together and then sprinkle it over the buttered dough. Gently press it down to help it stick to the butter.
Spread the diced strawberries over the top and again gently press to secure the berries.
Working from the short end, tightly roll the dough down the length of the long side to create a log. Using a sharp serrated knife, cut about 1/2 inch off each end of the log. Then, cut the log into 12 equal pieces.
Transfer the rolls to the prepared baking dish. Cover and allow them to rise for another 45 minutes to 1 hour or until doubled in size.Note: As the rolls rise, the strawberries will release their juices into the bottom of the baking dish. Then, as the rolls bake, the dough will absorb the juices adding more flavor to the cinnamon rolls. The rolls will not be soggy from this.
Bake And Frost The Rolls
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake the rolls for 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned on top.
Meanwhile, using a hand mixer on medium speed, cream together the butter and cream cheese. Then, add the powdered sugar and vanilla, and cream until well combined.
If the centers popped up a bit, you can press them down with the back of a spoon. Spread the frosting over the rolls while they are still warm. Serve warm.
Notes
Storage:Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.Reheat in the microwave in 20-second increments at 50% power until warmed through.Can I make these the day before baking?Sure. Follow the recipe up to the point of making the rolls and transferring them to a prepared baking dish. Then, cover and refrigerate the rolls overnight. The next day, allow the rolls to come to room temperature and then rise until doubled in size. This may take up to 2 hours depending on the temperature in your home. Finally, bake, frost, and enjoy!