Sweet Strawberry Rolls: Fresh Lemon Icing Recipe

Soft, pillowy dough swirled with strawberry preserves creates these delightful strawberry rolls with lemon icing that dance between sweet and tangy.

Weekends call for special treats that spark joy at the breakfast table.

Tender pastry embraces a vibrant strawberry filling, promising pure deliciousness in every bite.

Fresh strawberries add a burst of natural sweetness to the rolled dough.

A zesty lemon glaze drizzled on top transforms these rolls into a bright, irresistible morning indulgence.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of fruity and citrusy notes that will make your taste buds sing.

Let these strawberry rolls become your new weekend breakfast tradition.

Why These Strawberry Rolls Are Perfect With Lemon Icing

• This recipe offers straightforward steps that even beginner bakers can follow confidently, making it perfect for anyone wanting to try something new in the kitchen.
• Homemade strawberry jam filling provides a vibrant, natural sweetness that elevates these rolls from ordinary to extraordinary, creating a delightful flavor experience.
• Perfect for breakfast gatherings, brunch parties, or as a special weekend treat that will make everyone at the table smile and ask for seconds.
• Flexible recipe allows simple ingredient swaps or adjustments, so you can experiment and make these rolls uniquely yours without complicated techniques.

What You’ll Need for Strawberry Lemon Rolls

Main Ingredients:

• Flour: A key ingredient that provides structure for the soft and tender rolls.
• Milk: Creates moisture and helps activate the yeast for proper dough development.
• Yeast: Essential for making the dough rise and creating a light, airy texture.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness to the dough.
• Butter: Adds flavor and helps create a tender, soft roll.

• Strawberries: The primary fruit that gives the rolls their sweet and vibrant flavor.
• Sugar: Sweetens the strawberry filling and helps create a thick jam-like consistency.
• Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and helps balance the sweetness of the strawberries.
• Cornstarch: Thickens the strawberry filling to prevent a runny texture.

• Cream Cheese, Butter: Provide a rich and creamy base for the icing.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a smooth, spreadable icing.
• Lemon Zest: Adds a fresh, citrusy flavor to complement the strawberry rolls.

• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dough.
• Water: Used to create a cornstarch slurry for thickening the filling.
• Milk: Adjusts the consistency of the icing to make it spreadable.

How to Bake Sweet Rolls With Icing From Scratch

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Combine warm milk, yeast, and a tiny bit of sugar in a small bowl.

Stir gently and wait 10 minutes until the mixture becomes bubbly.

If no bubbles form, your yeast is inactive and you’ll need fresh yeast.

Step 2: Create the Dough

In a stand mixer, blend eggs and melted butter with the activated yeast mixture.

Add flour, sugar, and salt.

Mix on low speed until dough forms, then increase speed and knead for 5 minutes.

The dough should feel soft and slightly tacky.

Add flour sparingly if too sticky.

Step 3: Let the Dough Rise

Grease a bowl and place dough inside.

Cover with a kitchen towel and let sit in a warm spot for about an hour until doubled in size.

A slightly warmed oven can help speed up the rising process.

Step 4: Prepare Strawberry Filling

• Strawberries
• Sugar
• Lemon juice

Simmer and mash berries to release juices.

Step 5: Thicken the Filling

Create a cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch and water.

Stir into strawberry mixture and cook for 2-3 minutes until thickened.

Refrigerate until completely cool.

Step 6: Roll Out the Dough

Flour a surface and roll dough into a 14×18-inch rectangle, approximately 1/4 inch thick.

Position the long side facing you.

Step 7: Spread and Slice

Evenly spread cooled strawberry jam across the entire dough surface.

Use a pizza cutter to slice into 12 equal strips.

Step 8: Roll and Arrange

Tightly roll each strip from bottom to top.

Place rolls in a greased 9×13-inch pan with slight spacing between them.

Cover and let rise for 30-45 minutes.

Step 9: Bake the Rolls

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Bake rolls for 25-30 minutes until golden brown on top.

Step 10: Create Lemon Icing

• Cream cheese
• Butter
• Powdered sugar
• Lemon zest

Stir in milk until reaching a spreadable consistency.

Step 11: Finish and Serve

Once rolls are out of the oven, let cool slightly.

Spread lemon icing over warm rolls so it melts into the swirls.

Tips for Perfect Dough and Lemon Drizzle

• Ensure your yeast is fresh and active by checking for bubbles after mixing with warm milk and sugar. Dead yeast will prevent proper rising.
• Add flour gradually if the dough feels too sticky, creating a soft, slightly tacky texture that's easy to work with.
• Use a warm, draft-free spot or a slightly heated oven to help dough rise quickly and evenly.
• Cook strawberry jam until thickened and completely cooled before spreading to prevent soggy rolls and ensure clean rolling.
• Spread lemon cream cheese icing while rolls are still warm, allowing it to melt and create delicious swirls throughout the pastry.

Storing and Reheating Strawberry Rolls the Right Way

• Store cooled strawberry rolls in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Wrap individually in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Place rolls in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Warm rolls at 300°F for 10-15 minutes, covered with foil to prevent excessive browning. Remove foil for the last 2-3 minutes to crisp the edges.
• Heat individual rolls for 15-20 seconds on medium power. Add a damp paper towel to prevent hardening and maintain softness.

Toppings and Sides That Work With These Rolls

• Sip Strawberry Sangria: Pair these sweet rolls with a chilled strawberry sangria that echoes the fruity filling, blending white wine, fresh strawberries, and a hint of lemon for a refreshing companion.
• Complement with Cold Brew: Match the rolls with a smooth cold brew coffee, letting its robust notes balance the sweet strawberry and tangy lemon icing, creating a delightful morning or afternoon treat.
• Serve Alongside Vanilla Chai: Enjoy these rolls with a creamy vanilla chai tea, whose warm spices and smooth texture beautifully contrast the bright strawberry and citrus flavors, offering a comforting taste experience.
• Create a Sparkling Brunch: Elevate the rolls with a light prosecco or sparkling rosé, adding a celebratory touch that amplifies the dessert's fruity and zesty profile.

Ways to Make These Rolls With a New Flavor Spin

• Gluten-Free Strawberry Rolls: Replace wheat flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend, adding xanthan gum for better texture and structure.
• Vegan Berry Swirls: Substitute dairy milk with almond milk, use coconut oil instead of butter, replace eggs with flax eggs, and swap cream cheese icing with cashew-based frosting.
• Low-Sugar Strawberry Rolls: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of sugar, select reduced-sugar strawberries, and create a lighter icing using Greek yogurt and minimal powdered sugar.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Exchange milk with oat milk, use plant-based butter, create cream cheese substitute using soaked cashews blended with lemon juice and nutritional yeast.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen strawberries for the filling?

Yes, you can use frozen strawberries. Thaw them completely and drain excess liquid before cooking to prevent the filling from becoming too watery.

• How do I know if my dough has risen properly?

The dough should double in size and feel light and puffy when gently pressed. If it doesn’t rise, check that your yeast is fresh and your environment is warm enough.

• Is it possible to make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough the night before and let it rise slowly in the refrigerator. Just take it out 30 minutes before rolling to come to room temperature.

• What if my dough is too sticky?

Add flour gradually, one tablespoon at a time, while kneading. The dough should be soft but not overly wet. Be careful not to add too much flour, which can make the rolls tough.

Strawberry Rolls With Lemon Icing Recipe

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4.9 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Irresistible strawberry rolls deliver a sweet symphony of fresh berries and zesty lemon glaze, perfect for weekend brunch or afternoon tea. Delicate pastry swirls promise pure indulgence that will transport hungry palates to a world of homemade comfort and delightful flavors.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups All-purpose flour
• 2 large Eggs
• 6 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 1 cup Whole milk
• 2 cups Fresh strawberries

Sweeteners and Yeast:

• 1/2 cup White granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup White granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon Sugar
• 1 cup Powdered sugar
• 2 1/4 teaspoons Active dry yeast

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Fresh lemon juice
• 1 Zest of lemon
• 2 tablespoons Water
• 2 tablespoons Cornstarch
• 4 ounces Cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons Butter
• 2 tablespoons Whole milk

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Instructions

1. Activate the yeast by whisking warm milk, yeast, and a touch of sugar in a small container. Allow to rest for 10 minutes until foamy and bubbling.
2. Blend the activated yeast mixture with eggs and melted butter in a stand mixer. Gradually incorporate flour, sugar, and salt. Knead the dough on low speed, then increase to medium, working for approximately 5 minutes until smooth and slightly tacky.
3. Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover with a cloth, and let rise in a warm environment for roughly 60 minutes or until volume doubles.
4. Prepare the strawberry filling by combining berries, sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan over medium heat. Crush the fruit with a potato masher to release juices.
5. Create a cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch and water, then incorporate into the strawberry mixture. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened. Chill the jam completely before using.
6. Roll out the risen dough on a floured surface into a 14×18-inch rectangle, maintaining a ¼-inch thickness.
7. Evenly distribute the cooled strawberry jam across the entire dough surface. Slice into 12 uniform strips using a pizza cutter.
8. Roll each strip tightly from the bottom, positioning them in a greased 9×13-inch pan with slight spacing between rolls. Allow a second rise for 30-45 minutes.
9. Heat the oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
10. Whip cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and lemon zest until smooth. Gradually add milk to achieve a spreadable consistency.
11. Once baked, let rolls cool briefly, then generously spread the lemon icing while still warm, allowing it to melt into the swirls.

Notes

• Activate yeast properly by ensuring milk is warm (not hot) to prevent killing the active cultures, which can lead to dense, flat rolls.
• Knead dough until smooth and elastic, avoiding over-mixing that could make rolls tough and chewy.
• Control strawberry filling consistency by cooking slowly and using cornstarch to prevent runny, watery jam that could make dough soggy.
• Proof dough in consistent warm environment like a slightly heated oven or near a warm appliance to ensure proper rising and fluffy texture.
• Customize filling by substituting strawberries with raspberries, blueberries, or mixed berries for varied flavor profiles.
• Make gluten-free version by replacing wheat flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend and adding xanthan gum for better structure.

• Prep Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 270
• Sugar: 13 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg