There’s something magical about fresh strawberry flavors wrapped in a soft, fluffy roll. These strawberry rolls, made with a sweet strawberry puree, are a perfect combination of fruity sweetness and melt-in-your-mouth texture. Whether you’re looking to impress guests at a brunch or treat yourself to something extra special, these rolls offer a delicious, fruity twist on a classic cinnamon roll.
Why You’ll Fall in Love
Strawberry rolls are a delightful alternative to the usual cinnamon rolls, with a luscious strawberry puree filling that infuses each roll with vibrant, natural sweetness. The dough is soft and pillowy, creating a warm, comforting bite that’s both indulgent and light. Topped with a creamy glaze or a dusting of powdered sugar, these rolls are a perfect treat for any occasion.
What Makes These Rolls Special?
The star of these rolls is the strawberry puree, which not only gives the filling its vibrant pink hue but also infuses each bite with the fresh, juicy flavor of strawberries. The dough is enriched with butter and a touch of vanilla, ensuring a soft and tender texture. When baked, the strawberry filling becomes beautifully gooey, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience with every roll. A light glaze on top is optional but adds a perfect finishing touch.
The Perfect Spring or Summer Treat
Strawberry rolls are an ideal dessert or snack for warmer months when strawberries are in season. Their fresh, fruity flavor captures the essence of spring and summer, making them a delightful addition to any gathering or picnic. Whether you’re hosting a brunch or simply enjoying a quiet afternoon at home, these rolls bring a refreshing burst of sweetness to your table.
Ingredient Notes
Roasted Strawberry Puree:
- Fresh or Frozen Strawberries: Form the base of the puree, providing the sweet, fruity flavor for both the filling and the glaze.
Tangzhong Roux:
- Water, Milk, and Bread Flour: Used to make the tangzhong, a roux that helps the dough stay moist, soft, and light. The roux improves the texture by retaining moisture during baking.
Dough:
- Bread Flour: The primary flour for a chewy, slightly dense texture perfect for rolls.
- Eggs: Add richness and help with the structure of the dough.
- Sugar: Sweetens the dough, contributing to the flavor and caramelization during baking.
- Rapid Rise or Instant Yeast: Leavens the dough quickly, ensuring a light and airy texture.
- Water and Canola Oil: Provide moisture and contribute to the softness of the dough.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances other flavors.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds aromatic depth and enhances the overall flavor of the dough.
- Tangzhong Roux: As mentioned, helps to keep the dough moist and soft.
Strawberry White Chocolate Filling:
- Roasted Strawberry Puree: Adds depth and richness to the filling.
- White Chocolate Chips or Chopped White Chocolate Bar: Adds a creamy sweetness to the filling, complementing the strawberry flavor.
- Strawberry Powder or All-Purpose Flour: Provides some structure to the filling and helps it set during baking.
Strawberry Glaze:
- Strawberry Puree: Adds a fresh, fruity flavor to the glaze, enhancing the strawberry theme of the rolls.
- Whipped Cream Cheese: Adds richness and smoothness to the glaze, balancing the sweetness.
- Salt and Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor and helps to round out the sweetness of the glaze.
- Organic Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the glaze, giving it a smooth, pourable consistency.
How to Customize Your Strawberry Rolls
While the strawberry puree gives these rolls their signature flavor, there’s plenty of room for customization to suit your personal preferences. For a richer flavor, you can experiment with adding a hint of lemon zest to the filling, which complements the strawberries beautifully. If you enjoy a more indulgent treat, consider topping the rolls with a cream cheese glaze or sprinkling some chopped nuts, like almonds or pistachios, for an extra crunch.
Serving Suggestions
Strawberry rolls are irresistible on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with other breakfast favorites. Serve them with a cup of fresh coffee or a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice for a sweet, indulgent start to the day. For a more decadent treat, top them with a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of chocolate sauce.
Tips for Perfect Rolls
- Use fresh strawberries for the puree: The fresher the strawberries, the more vibrant and flavorful the puree will be.
- Don’t overfill the rolls: While it’s tempting to add a lot of strawberry puree, too much filling can make them hard to roll up properly.
- Allow the rolls to rise: Let the dough rise fully to ensure your rolls are light and fluffy when baked.
These strawberry rolls with strawberry puree are a perfect way to indulge in the sweet, fresh flavors of strawberries while enjoying a comforting baked treat. Whether you’re serving them for a special breakfast or enjoying them as an afternoon snack, these rolls are sure to be a hit with anyone who loves the combination of fruit and baked goods.
Strawberry Rolls
Ingredients
Roasted strawberry puree
- 2 ½ cups strawberries fresh or frozen
Tangzhong roux
- 120 gr or ½ cup water
- 120 gr or ½ cup whole milk
- 40 gr or ⅓ cup bread flour
Dough
- 512 gr or 4 cups bread flour
- 100 gr or 1/2 cup sugar
- 60 gr or 1/4 cup water
- 50 gr or ¼ cup canola oil
- 1 packet rapid rise or instant yeast
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
- all of the roux from above
Strawberry White Chocolate Filling:
- 1/3 cup roasted strawberry puree
- 125 gr white chocolate chips or chopped up bar
- 2 tbsp strawberry powder from freeze dried strawberries or all purpose flour
Strawberry Glaze
- 2 tbsp strawberry puree
- 2 tbsp whipped cream cheese
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups organic powdered sugar sifted
- Pinch salt
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Strawberry Puree
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Spread fresh strawberries across a 9x9 pan and roast them for around 30 minutes, or until they’ve released all their juices and some of the moisture has evaporated. While they roast, press the berries every 10 minutes to help release more juice. Once they’re done, blend them into a puree and set it aside. You can prepare this ahead of time, up to two days in advance.
Step 2: Make the Starter
- In a pot, whisk together flour, water, and milk. Keep stirring as it heats up and thickens to the texture of a soft paste. Once it reaches that point, take it off the heat and let it cool.
Step 3: Make the Dough
- In the bowl of your stand mixer, combine yeast and water. Sprinkle in a little sugar and whisk gently. Let it sit for a few minutes to let the yeast activate. Once the mixture is foamy, add the rest of your ingredients along with the cooled starter. Let the mixer knead the dough for about 7-10 minutes, until it forms a sticky ball.
- Transfer the dough to a well-oiled bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it chill in the fridge overnight.
Step 4: First Rise
- In the morning, take the dough out of the fridge. If it hasn’t doubled in size, leave it at room temperature to finish rising.
Step 5: Prepare the Filling
- Melt white chocolate using a double boiler and stir it into your strawberry puree. Add in strawberry powder or flour, and mix until everything is smooth.
Step 6: Shape the Rolls
- Line a baking sheet, 9x13-inch pan, or two 8x8-inch pans with parchment paper. Roll out the dough into an 18x14-inch rectangle (about the size of a baking sheet), and spread your strawberry filling over it. Let the filling firm up a bit before rolling the dough into a log. Use a knife or dental floss to slice the dough into 1-inch pieces. Place the rolls onto your prepared pan.
Step 7: Second Rise
- Let the rolls rise in a warm place for 45-60 minutes, or until they’ve become puffy and doubled in size.
Step 8: Bake the Rolls
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes, or until the sides are golden and the rolls are cooked through.
Step 9: Make the Icing
- Whisk together cream cheese, strawberry puree, vanilla, salt, and powdered sugar. Once the rolls have cooled, drizzle the icing generously over them.
- Enjoy the sweet, warm goodness of homemade strawberry rolls!
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