Name: Strawberry and Cocoa Filled Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing Recipe
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 3 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/3 cup lukewarm milk (79ml); 1 packet active dry yeast (7g / 2 1/2 teaspoons); 3 large eggs; 3 cups all-purpose flour (375g); 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 cup unsalted butter (113g), cubed; 3/4 cup freeze-dried strawberries; 3/4 cup granulated sugar (150g); 1/4 cup unsalted butter (57g), softened; 1/4 cup cocoa powder (25g); 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; Pinch of kosher salt; Reserved strawberry sugar (remaining amount from the blended mixture); 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature; 1/4 cup unsalted butter (57g), at room temperature; 3/4 cup reserved strawberry sugar (from the strawberry sugar mixture); 1 tablespoon heavy cream; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; Pinch of kosher salt

Jump to Recipe· 4.2 from 4 reviews

If you love the perfect balance of fruity sweetness and rich chocolate, you are in for a treat with this Strawberry and Cocoa Filled Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing Recipe. These rolls are unbelievably soft and fluffy, stuffed with a luscious cocoa filling kissed by the vibrant essence of freeze-dried strawberries. Topped with a luscious cream cheese icing flecked with strawberry sugar, they make a show-stopping breakfast, brunch, or dessert that feels like a warm hug in every bite. Once you try these rolls, they’re guaranteed to become a beloved favorite in your baking repertoire.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A white marbled surface holds various baking ingredients in separate bowls and containers. In the center is a clear glass bowl filled with a mound of white flour showing a small scoop-like dip in the middle. To the upper right, a small white bowl contains dark red dried fruit pieces. Below the dried fruit, a white jug with a black rim shows clear liquid inside. Toward the bottom right, a metal bowl holds four brown eggs, and at the bottom left, a clear measuring cup filled with cream or milk is visible. Scattered around are small bowls with white granulated sugar and a stick of unsalted butter wrapped in a paper sleeve. The image is bright and clean with soft natural lighting. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

To make these rolls truly exceptional, you’ll use simple yet essential ingredients that come together to create perfect texture, flavor, and color. From the tender dough to the fruity strawberry sugar and silky cocoa filling, each component plays an important role.

Lukewarm milk (1/3 cup): Activates the yeast gently for a soft, airy dough.

Active dry yeast (1 packet): The secret behind light, fluffy rolls that rise beautifully.
Large eggs (3): Enrich the dough, adding moisture and tenderness.
All-purpose flour (3 cups): The sturdy base that forms the dough’s structure.

Kosher salt (1 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
Unsalted butter (3/4 cup total): Adds richness to both dough and filling for melt-in-your-mouth softness.
Freeze-dried strawberries (3/4 cup): Ground into a vibrant pink sugar that infuses fruity brightness.
Granulated sugar (3/4 cup): Sweetens both filling and frosting perfectly.

Cocoa powder (1/4 cup): Brings deep chocolate flavor to the filling.
Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons total): Adds warm, aromatic notes throughout.
Cream cheese (4 ounces, room temp): The star of the luscious icing that tops these rolls.

Heavy cream (1 tablespoon): Whips the icing into a fluffy, spreadable delight.

How to Make Strawberry and Cocoa Filled Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Yeast Dough

Start by mixing lukewarm milk with yeast and allowing it to foam up, which signals that your yeast is alive and ready to work its magic. Then, beat in the eggs, add the flour and salt, and incorporate cubed butter piece by piece until the dough comes together. It will be a bit sticky, but that’s the secret to soft rolls. Let the dough rest and rise until it’s soft and has puffed up nicely, about 30 minutes.

Step 2: Make the Strawberry Sugar

While the dough is rising, blitz freeze-dried strawberries and granulated sugar in a high-powered blender until you have a beautiful pink strawberry sugar that looks like colored powdered sugar. This strawberry sugar is a game-changer for both the filling and the icing, delivering that bright berry flavor and lovely hue.

Step 3: Create the Cocoa Filling

Mix together butter, cocoa powder, vanilla, and a pinch of salt into a smooth paste. This rich, chocolaty filling will complement the sweet strawberry sugar perfectly and create that irresistible swirl inside your rolls.

Step 4: Roll and Assemble

Lightly flour your surface and roll out the dough into a large thin rectangle. Spread the cocoa filling evenly but leave a border around the edges. Sprinkle with the strawberry sugar to add bursts of fruity sweetness. Roll up the dough tightly, trim the ends, and cut into equal pieces. Arrange the rolls in a greased pan and cover for a second rise until puffy, about 45 minutes.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat your oven and bake the rolls until they’re just golden and puffy. The sweet smell of cocoa and strawberries will fill your kitchen and hint at the deliciousness to come.

Step 6: Make the Cream Cheese Icing

Whip together cream cheese and butter until smooth, then beat in the reserved strawberry sugar, vanilla, salt, and heavy cream. Whip this frosting until it’s light and fluffy, perfect for smothering over warm rolls.

Step 7: Ice and Serve

Once out of the oven, generously pour cream cheese icing over the rolls while they are still warm so it can melt into every nook and cranny, creating an irresistible, creamy glaze.

How to Serve Strawberry and Cocoa Filled Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing Recipe

A metal baking tray holds twelve cinnamon rolls arranged close together in three rows of four. Each roll has a thick layer of pink frosting spread unevenly on top, with golden brown cinnamon swirls visible beneath the frosting. One roll in the front right has a bite taken out, showing the soft dough and cinnamon filling inside. A small butter knife with pink frosting on the blade rests on the corner of the tray. The tray sits on a white marbled countertop with two pink mugs of coffee placed near the back edge. A soft pink cloth hangs over the edge of a green kitchen cabinet in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Add a personal touch by sprinkling freeze-dried strawberry pieces or a light dusting of cocoa powder over the frosting. Fresh strawberries also make a gorgeous, fresh garnish that ties the whole flavor profile together and makes your rolls look bakery-perfect.

Side Dishes

These rolls shine on their own but pair wonderfully with a cup of freshly brewed coffee, a chilly glass of milk, or a refreshing iced tea. For brunch, serve alongside fresh fruit salad or a creamy yogurt parfait to balance the richness with some brightness.

Creative Ways to Present

Why not turn these rolls into a festive centerpiece? Arrange them in a circular pan for a pull-apart bread or bake them in mini muffin tins for personal-sized treats. You can even drizzle extra strawberry glaze or chocolate sauce on top for that wow factor during special occasions.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to keep them soft. If your kitchen is warm, store them in the fridge, but bring them back to room temperature before serving to restore softness.

Freezing

These rolls freeze beautifully. Once cooled completely, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or let sit an hour at room temperature.

Reheating

Warm the rolls gently in a preheated oven at 300 degrees F for about 8-10 minutes or microwave them individually for about 20 seconds until soft and cozy again. Add a fresh dollop of cream cheese icing if you like for that freshly iced feeling.

FAQs

Can I use fresh strawberries instead of freeze-dried?

Freeze-dried strawberries are essential here because they create that vibrant strawberry sugar without adding moisture, which would affect the dough. Fresh strawberries wouldn’t give the same texture or flavor intensity in the filling or icing.

What if I don’t have a stand mixer?

You can absolutely make this recipe by hand! Use a sturdy spoon to combine ingredients and knead the dough on a floured surface until it’s smooth and elastic. It might take a bit more elbow grease but the results are just as delicious.

Can I substitute instant yeast for active dry yeast?

Yes! If using instant yeast, mix it directly with the flour first and skip the milk proofing step. Your dough should still rise nicely but keep an eye on it as rising times might be a little shorter.

How long can I keep the cream cheese icing refrigerated?

Store any leftover icing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Before using again, stir or beat it to bring back its smooth texture.

Are these rolls suitable for freezing after baking or before baking?

They freeze well both ways. Freezing before baking allows you to bake fresh rolls whenever you like, and freezing after baking is convenient for ready-to-eat treats. Just thaw completely before serving or reheating.

Final Thoughts

This strawberry and cocoa filled rolls with cream cheese icing recipe brings together everything you could want in a baked treat: fluffy, rich, fruity, and velvety smooth. Baking these rolls is like giving yourself a delicious gift, and sharing them will surely earn you many happy smiles. Go ahead, make these rolls your next baking project—you won’t regret it!