Overnight Strawberry Cream Cheese Rolls — do the prep work the night before and enjoy fresh, warm sweet rolls in the morning.
I enjoy experimenting with variations on a basic sweet roll. While classic cinnamon rolls are hard to beat, swapping the filling to strawberries and cream cheese creates a delightful change. The strawberries add bright sweetness while the tangy cream cheese balances the flavor — together they make irresistible rolls.
These rolls are perfect for making ahead. Do most of the work the night before, refrigerate them, and bake in the morning so you can have warm, bakery-style rolls for breakfast without waking up early to prepare everything from scratch.
The combination of berries and cream cheese is reminiscent of strawberry cheesecake and offers a luxurious, creamy filling that pairs beautifully with a soft yeast dough. When baked and finished with a cream cheese glaze, these rolls are a real treat.
How to make overnight strawberry cream cheese rolls:
After preparing a basic yeast dough, roll it out into a rectangle, spread the cream cheese mixture evenly, then add the strawberry filling. Roll the dough up tightly and pinch the edge to seal. Set aside about 1/3 cup of the cream cheese mixture to use later for the icing.
Slice the roll into 12 equal pieces and arrange them in a well-greased 9×13″ baking pan. Some filling may escape while cutting; simply spoon any extra filling back on top of the rolls.
Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8–10 hours or overnight. In the morning, remove the pan and let the rolls rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about an hour. Bake until golden brown and cooked through, then finish with the reserved cream cheese glaze while the rolls are still warm.
The warm glaze combined with the soft, tender dough and berry filling creates an indulgent breakfast or brunch centerpiece. These rolls are a great option when you want a special morning treat without losing sleep.
Can I use different fruit in these sweet rolls?
Absolutely. Swap the strawberry jam and fresh strawberries for raspberry jam and raspberries, or try blueberry jam with fresh blueberries. Different berry combinations work well — feel free to experiment to suit your taste.
If you enjoy strawberry cheesecake flavors, these overnight strawberry cream cheese rolls are a must-try. They deliver the creamy, fruity experience of cheesecake in a fluffy roll form.
Strawberry Cream Cheese Rolls
Overnight Strawberry Cream Cheese Rolls
Ingredients
Dough
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 2 tsp instant yeast
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 eggs
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (more or less)
Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 3/4 cup strawberry jam
- 1 cup finely diced strawberries
Icing
- 1/3 cup reserved cream cheese mixture
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tsp milk
- Splash of vanilla
Instructions
- Combine warm water, yeast, and sugar in a large bowl. Beat in milk, melted butter, salt, eggs, and 1 cup flour. Beat until smooth. Add enough flour to form a soft dough and knead until smooth.
- Let dough rest 5 minutes while preparing the filling.
- Beat cream cheese until soft and fluffy. Add 3/4 cup powdered sugar and beat until smooth. Reserve about 1/3 cup of this mixture for the icing. In a separate bowl, combine the jam and diced strawberries.
- Roll out the dough on a greased surface to about a 10×15″ rectangle. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly, then spread the strawberry mixture on top. Roll up tightly and pinch the seam to seal.
- Cut the log into 12 slices and place them in a well-greased 9×13″ pan. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (8–10 hours).
- To make the icing, add 1/2 cup powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to the reserved cream cheese mixture. Beat until smooth and thin enough to drizzle. Place the icing in a resealable bag and chill.
- The next morning, remove the rolls and icing from the fridge and let the rolls rise in a warm place until doubled, about an hour.
- Bake at 350°F for 30–35 minutes, or until done in the center. If they brown too quickly, tent with foil.
- Cut a corner from the icing bag and drizzle the glaze over warm rolls before serving.
Nutrition (per roll)
Calories: 438 kcal • Carbohydrates: 72 g • Protein: 8 g • Fat: 13 g • Sugar: 30 g
Enjoy these overnight strawberry cream cheese rolls as a special breakfast or brunch treat. They’re easy to prep the night before and bake into warm, flavorful rolls in the morning.