Strawberry Rolls
Strawberry Rolls combine a soft yeast dough enriched with butter and eggs, layered with a chocolate and vanilla-infused filling, and sweetened with a homemade strawberry sugar made from freeze-dried strawberries and granulated sugar. The rolls are finished with a creamy cream cheese frosting that incorporates the fresh strawberry sugar for a balanced sweetness. The dough has a tender, supple texture, while the filling adds richness and a hint of cocoa, complemented by the bright fruit notes in both the sugar and frosting.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 1/3 cup milk 79ml, lukewarm
- 1 active dry yeast see below for instructions with instant yeast, packet 7g (2 1/2 teaspoons
- 3 egg large
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (375g)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup butter 113g, unsalted
Strawberry Sugar:
- 3/4 cup freeze dried strawberries
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (150g)
Filling
- 1/4 cup butter 57g, unsalted
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder (25g)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Pinch kosher salt
Frosting:
- 4 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
- 1/4 cup butter 57g) at room temperature, unsalted
- 3/4 cup strawberry sugar recipe above, reserved
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch kosher salt
Instructions
To Make the Dough:
- To the bowl of a stand-up mixer (alternatively, you can do this in a large bowl by hand), mix together the mil and active dry yeast. Allow to activate and get all foamy, about 8 minutes.
- Crack in the eggs and mix using a dough hook. If the egg yolks don’t break up, feel free to grab a fork and mix it all up until combined. Pour in the flour and salt. Mix together until mostly combined and then add in the cubed butter, one cube at a time until it comes together. Knead for about 5 minutes by hand or in the machine. The dough will be slightly sticky—that’s ok! Grease a bowl with oil or cooking spray and transfer the dough to the bowl, spraying or coating the top.
- Cover with a lid or clean kitchen towel and allow to rise for 30 minutes. It should be soft and supple; it’ll have risen by 50%.
To Make the Strawberry Sugar:
- You’ll need a high-powered blender for this. Think a BlendTec, Ninja or Vitamix. Add the freeze-dried strawberries and sugar to the blender. Blend on high for about 1 minute. It should end up looking like pink-colored powdered sugar.Let it settle before removing the top of the blender bc it will create a “smoke”. We’ll be using this for the filling and the frosting. Remove 3/4 cup of strawberry sugar and set aside. We'll be using this amount of 3/4 of a cup for the frosting.
To Make the Filling:
- To the bowl of a stand-up mixer (with the paddle attachment) or using a medium bowl and a fork, add the butter, cocoa powder, vanilla extract and salt. Mix until it forms a paste that’s completely combined.
To Assemble the Rolls:
- Lightly flour your work surface and remove the dough from the bowl and place the dough into the center. Lightly flour your rolling pin and roll the dough into a 1/8-inch thick rectangle that measures 15“x 18“ If it’s not a perfect rectangle, that’s totally ok.
- Add the filling to the rectangle of dough, spreading it out into an even very thin layer, stopping from about 1/2-inch from the edges. Sprinkle the remaining/reserved strawberry sugar on top of the smoothed out chocolate.
- Roll the dough farthest from you, going toward you.
- Using a serrated knife OR a piece of unflavored floss, trim off the ends. And then cut the log of dough into 12 equal pieces. Mine measured about to be 1 1/2-inches long. Transfer to a greased 9x13-inch baking pan or baking sheet. You can also use multiple baking dishes. Whichever works best for you.
- Cover with a kitchen towel and allow to rise for an additional 45 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until puffy and lightly golden brown.
To Make the Cream Cheese Icing:
- To the bowl of a stand-up mixer (or a large bowl) with the paddle attachment, beat together the cream cheese and the butter until smooth. Next, add the reserved 3/4 cup strawberry sugar, vanilla, pinch of kosher salt and heavy cream. Beat for a full 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
To Serve:
- When the rolls come out of the oven, pour the half or ALL of the icing over the rolls and smother the with the icing.
Notes
- You can substitute instant yeast by whisking it directly with the dry ingredients instead of activating it with milk first.
- Freeze-dried strawberries are typically available in dried fruit aisles of grocery stores and give concentrated strawberry flavor without adding moisture.
- The dough can be proofed overnight in the refrigerator to enhance flavor and make preparation more flexible.
- The filling mixture should be allowed to come to room temperature before assembling for easier spreading.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 409
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 409kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 54g | 18% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 20g | 31% |
| Saturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 53mg | 18% |
| Sodium | 228mg | 10% |
| Potassium | 278mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 25g | 50% |
| Vitamin A | 618IU | 12% |
| Vitamin C | 181mg | 201% |
| Calcium | 25mg | 3% |
| Iron | 5mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.