Cherry Cinnamon Rolls with Homemade Filling Recipe
Delight in these Cherry Cinnamon Rolls with Homemade Filling, featuring a tender, fluffy dough filled with a sweet cherry and cinnamon mixture, topped optionally with a creamy vanilla cream cheese frosting. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, these rolls offer a luscious twist on a classic favorite with fresh or frozen cherries for a burst of fruity flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 rolls 1x
- Category: Breakfast / Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free option)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) instant yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm milk (dairy or non-dairy alternatives like almond or oat milk)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (or vegan butter for a dairy-free version)
- 2 large eggs (or 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce for an egg-free option)
For the Filling:
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cherries, pitted and chopped (use any other berry if preferred)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (or vegan butter)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting (optional):
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened (or a vegan cream cheese alternative)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk (dairy or non-dairy)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Allow it to sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center, pour in the yeast mixture, melted butter, and eggs (or applesauce). Mix until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. If it’s too sticky, add a little extra flour until it’s manageable.
- Let the Dough Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
- Prepare the Filling: While the dough is rising, prepare the filling by mixing the chopped cherries, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl. Set aside.
- Shape the Rolls: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a flour-dusted surface into a rectangle approximately 16×12 inches. Spread the softened butter evenly on the dough, followed by the cherry filling. Roll the dough tightly from the long side to create a log. Cut the log into 12 slices.
Notes
- You can substitute cherries with other berries like blueberries or raspberries for different flavors.
- For a vegan or dairy-free version, use plant-based milk, vegan butter, and vegan cream cheese for the frosting.
- Allow the rolls to cool slightly before spreading the cream cheese frosting to prevent it from melting too much.
- If you prefer a less sweet roll, reduce the sugar in the filling slightly.
- Ensure the milk is warm, not hot, to activate the yeast properly without killing it.
Keywords: cherry cinnamon rolls, homemade cinnamon rolls, cherry filling, cinnamon roll recipe, sweet breakfast rolls, cream cheese frosting cinnamon rolls
