Sweet Strawberry Swirl Rolls with Vanilla Glaze Recipe

If you’ve ever bitten into a warm, tender cinnamon roll and thought, “What if this had strawberries instead?” then these Sweet Strawberry Swirl Rolls with Vanilla Glaze are your dream come true. Imagine pillowy-soft rolls, spiraled with a gooey, fresh strawberry filling, and crowned with a silky vanilla glaze that drips down every bite. This recipe turns breakfast or dessert into a celebration of flavor and texture.

These rolls are everything a perfect morning treat should be—light, airy, and indulgent without being overly sweet. The magic begins with a soft, enriched dough that bakes up beautifully golden and fluffy. Inside, a juicy strawberry filling simmers as the rolls rise in the oven, creating a jammy center that bursts with natural sweetness. Topping it all off is a glaze that’s as simple as it is luxurious, pooling into the rolls’ crevices for the ultimate finishing touch.

Whether you’re baking for a weekend brunch, holiday breakfast, or just a weekday pick-me-up, these strawberry swirl rolls are guaranteed to brighten the table. The color alone is cheerful, and the smell? Irresistible.

These aren’t just any fruit rolls. The strawberries are chopped finely, macerated with sugar, and thickened with cornstarch to keep everything neatly tucked inside the spirals. It’s a small touch that makes a big difference in taste and structure.

The dough is designed for fluffiness. Using a mix of milk, butter, and an egg ensures that soft, rich texture you crave in a bakery-style roll. We keep it beginner-friendly with simple steps and built-in proofing time, perfect for relaxed baking.

You’ll also love how forgiving the dough is. It stretches and rolls out easily, so even novice bakers can create a stunning swirl. And don’t worry if it’s not perfectly shaped—it’ll still taste like heaven.

This recipe avoids shortcuts because you deserve the real deal. No canned dough, no artificial strawberry flavor. Just honest ingredients coming together to make something amazing.

And let’s talk about that glaze. Just three ingredients—confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and a splash of milk—yet the result is so silky, you’ll want to drizzle it on everything. Use more or less depending on how sweet you like it, but don’t skip it!

We also include tips for making the rolls ahead of time, refrigerating overnight, and baking fresh in the morning. It’s a great option for holiday mornings or when you have guests.

Once baked, the rolls pull apart like soft clouds, revealing swirls of warm fruit. Every bite balances that fluffy bread with fruity richness and glaze-sweet finish. They’re so good, they might not even make it to the table.

It’s also easy to adapt the filling if strawberries aren’t in season. You can swap in raspberries, blueberries, or even diced apples—whatever your fruit-loving heart desires.

There’s something so joyful about baking from scratch. These strawberry swirl rolls are as fun to make as they are to eat, and sharing them is like giving someone a warm hug in food form.

Servings: 12 rolls

Time:

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Rise Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Bake Time: 20-22 minutes
• Total Time: About 2 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/4 teaspoons instant dry yeast (1 packet)
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup milk (almond milk or any preferred type)
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 large egg, room temperature

For the Strawberry Filling:

• 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, chopped finely
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch

For the Vanilla Glaze:

• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream (more if needed)

Instructions:

1. In a small saucepan, combine water, milk, and butter. Warm until butter melts. Let cool to about 110°F (warm but not hot).
2. In a large bowl, mix 2 1/4 cups flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Add warm liquid and mix. Beat in egg.
3. Add remaining flour slowly until dough forms a soft ball. Knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour in a warm spot until doubled in size.
5. While rising, mix strawberries, sugar, and cornstarch in a small pot. Cook over medium heat until thickened, about 5 minutes. Let cool completely.
6. Roll dough out on a floured surface into a 12×16 inch rectangle. Spread cooled strawberry filling evenly across the dough.
7. Roll up tightly from the long side. Slice into 12 equal rolls and place in a greased 9×13 baking dish.
8. Cover and let rise for another 30 minutes while oven preheats to 350°F.
9. Bake for 20-22 minutes or until tops are golden brown.
10. Mix glaze ingredients until smooth. Drizzle over warm rolls and serve.

Tips:

• If your kitchen is cool, let dough rise in the oven (turned off) with the light on.
• Make the filling ahead of time and chill until ready.
• Let rolls cool slightly before glazing so it doesn’t melt completely.
• Refrigerate overnight after shaping if baking in the morning.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Soft, fluffy rolls filled with sweet strawberry goodness, topped with a dreamy glaze. It’s bakery-quality bliss right from your home oven.

These Sweet Strawberry Swirl Rolls with Vanilla Glaze are tender, flavorful, and perfect for breakfast or dessert. With a fluffy dough and rich filling, they’re sure to become a family favorite.