Sweet Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake Rolls

Strawberry shortcake meets creamy cheesecake in these tender, bakery-style rolls. Perfect for brunch, dessert, or a sweet treat any time, they’re swirled with a luscious strawberry filling, rich cheesecake layer, and topped with buttery crumbs and glaze.

---

🕒 Prep & Bake Time

Step	Time
Prep Time	30 mins
Rise Time	1.5 hrs
Bake Time	25 mins
Cool & Glaze	15 mins
Total Time	2 hrs 40 mins

---

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Mixing bowls (various sizes)
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Hand or stand mixer
• Rolling pin
• 9×13-inch baking dish
• Parchment paper
• Saucepan
• Small food processor or blender (for crumbs)
• Wire cooling rack

---

🍓 Ingredients

Dough:

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast (1 packet)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup whole milk (warm)
• 1/4 cup water (warm)
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)

Cheesecake Filling:

• 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
• 1/4 cup powdered sweetener or sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Strawberry Filling:

• 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries (diced)
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp sugar or sugar-free sweetener

Shortcake Crumb Topping:

• 1/2 cup Golden Oreos or almond flour shortbread cookies
• 1 tbsp freeze-dried strawberries
• 2 tbsp butter (melted)
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar or alternative

Vanilla Glaze:

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1–2 tbsp milk
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

---

📝 Ingredient Notes

• Strawberries: Fresh is best, but frozen works if thawed and drained.
• Yeast: Use instant yeast for quicker rise.
• Crumb Topping: Blend freeze-dried strawberries with vanilla cookie crumbs for the classic shortcake crunch.
• Sugar-Free Option: Swap all sugars for erythritol or allulose to make it diabetic-friendly.

---

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Step 1: Make the Dough

1. In a large bowl, combine warm milk, water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Add egg, softened butter, salt, and flour. Mix until combined. Knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth.
3. Place dough in greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1–1.5 hours or until doubled.

Step 2: Strawberry Filling

1. In a small saucepan, combine strawberries, water, lemon juice, and sugar.
2. Cook over medium heat, then stir in cornstarch. Simmer until thickened (5–7 mins). Cool.

Step 3: Cheesecake Filling

1. In a bowl, beat cream cheese, sweetener, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Roll & Fill

1. Punch down dough. Roll into a 12×16 inch rectangle on a floured surface.
2. Spread cheesecake filling, then cooled strawberry filling over the surface evenly.
3. Roll tightly from the long edge and slice into 12 even pieces.

Step 5: Bake

1. Place rolls in a greased or parchment-lined 9×13″ pan.
2. Cover and let rise 30 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 22–25 minutes or until golden and cooked through.

Step 6: Shortcake Crumbs

1. Pulse cookies and freeze-dried strawberries in a food processor. Mix with melted butter and powdered sugar.

Step 7: Glaze & Top

1. Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to make glaze.
2. Drizzle glaze over warm rolls, then sprinkle generously with shortcake crumbs.

---

🥗 Nutrition Facts (Approx. per roll)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	250–280
Carbs	30g (net carbs: 25g with sugar-free swaps)
Sugar	10g (0g added with sugar-free version)
Protein	5g
Fat	12g
Fiber	2g

For a lower-carb version, use almond flour cookies, sugar substitutes, and reduced-carb flours.

---

💡 Tips

• Chill the Filling: Let your cheesecake and strawberry filling chill for easier spreading.
• Freeze for Later: These rolls freeze well (before or after baking).
• Diabetic-Friendly Swap: Use almond flour dough, monk fruit or allulose sweeteners, and sugar-free jam instead of fresh filling.
• Overnight Version: Make the rolls and refrigerate overnight. Let sit at room temp while the oven preheats in the morning.

---

🔄 Variations

• Blueberry Cheesecake Rolls: Swap strawberries for fresh blueberries and a hint of lemon zest.
• Chocolate-Strawberry Rolls: Add a layer of sugar-free chocolate chips over the cheesecake filling.
• Mini Rolls: Slice thinner for bite-sized portions, perfect for parties or brunch tables.
• No-Bake Version: Use a tortilla or lavash wrap base for a quick no-bake variation with the same layers!