Fruity Morning Bliss: Cherry Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Sweet, pillowy dough meets a luscious cinnamon-cherry filling that will make your taste buds dance with delight.

These homemade cherry cinnamon rolls bring warmth and comfort to any morning or afternoon treat.

Soft spirals packed with rich, fruity notes emerge from the oven, promising pure indulgence.

Baking these rolls fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma that beckons everyone nearby.

The combination of tart cherries and warm cinnamon creates a perfect balance of flavors that elevate this classic pastry.

Each roll promises a delectable journey through layers of tender dough and vibrant fruit.

You’ll want to roll up your sleeves and start baking these irresistible cherry cinnamon rolls right away.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 1 hour (excluding rising time)

Cook Time: 30-35 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Calories: 290 kcal

Servings: 13

Cherry Cinnamon Rolls with Homemade Filling – Ingredient List

• Frozen Cherries: Bursting with summer sweetness, these berries provide a vibrant fruity core to the rolls.
• Granulated Sugar: Balances the tartness of cherries and enhances natural fruit flavors.
• Cornstarch: Creates a silky, thick filling that prevents soggy rolls.
• Cold Water: Helps dissolve cornstarch for perfect filling consistency.

• Bread Flour: High-protein flour ensures chewy, soft texture with excellent rise.
• Active Dry Yeast: Magical ingredient that makes dough light and fluffy.
• Warm Water: Activates yeast and kickstarts fermentation process.
• Sugar: Feeds yeast and adds subtle sweetness to dough.
• Milk: Provides richness and helps develop tender crumb.
• Eggs: Adds structure, moisture, and golden color to rolls.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and controls yeast growth.
• Room Temperature Butter: Creates tender, flaky layers with rich flavor.

• Butter: Provides creamy base with luxurious mouthfeel.
• Cream Cheese: Adds tangy richness and smooth texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates silky, spreadable frosting.
• Vanilla: Introduces warm, comforting aromatic notes.
• Milk: Adjusts frosting consistency for perfect spreadability.

Tools to Roll Cherry Cinnamon Buns with Filling

• Stand Mixer or Mixing Bowl: Essential for kneading dough smoothly and developing gluten structure.
• Dough Hook: Perfect attachment for mixing and kneading bread dough efficiently.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Needed for preparing dough, mixing ingredients, and letting dough rise.
• Medium Saucepan: Used for cooking cherry filling and achieving perfect consistency.
• Whisk: Great for blending yeast mixture, combining wet ingredients, and creating smooth cornstarch slurry.
• Rolling Pin: Helps roll dough into precise rectangular shape for perfect rolls.
• Sharp Non-Serrated Knife: Crucial for cutting clean, even rolls without squishing dough.
• 11: Provides ideal space for rolls to rise and bake evenly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements for consistent results.
• Small Bowls: Useful for preparing yeast mixture and cornstarch slurry.
• Spatula: Helps scrape and spread fillings and frostings smoothly.

How to Make Cherry Cinnamon Rolls from Scratch

• Cherry Essence

Create a luscious cherry compote by simmering frozen cherries with sugar until they release their vibrant juices. Thicken the mixture with a cornstarch blend, then chill to lock in the intense fruity flavor.

• Dough Preparation

Wake up the yeast in warm water, letting it bloom and become wonderfully bubbly. Mix the activated yeast with creamy milk, sweet sugar, and fresh eggs to form a soft, pillowy base.

• Dough Transformation

Knead the silky dough until it becomes smooth and elastic, allowing it to rise and expand in a cozy, warm environment. Watch as the dough doubles in size, promising delightful rolls to come.

• Roll Crafting

Gently roll out the dough into a generous rectangle, spreading the chilled cherry mixture with artistic flair. Roll the dough into a perfect log, creating beautiful swirls of fruity goodness.

• Baking Magic

Nestle the rolls in a baking pan, letting them puff up and become irresistibly plump. Bake until they turn a golden, inviting brown that promises delectable flavor.

• Creamy Finish

Whip up a cloud-like cream cheese frosting, draping the warm rolls in a luxurious, sweet blanket that melts into every delicious crevice. Serve and watch eyes light up with pure joy.

Tips to Get the Best Homemade Cherry Cinnamon Filling

• Knead the dough until it becomes silky smooth and elastic, which helps create light, fluffy rolls with perfect texture.
• Swap frozen cherries with fresh or canned cherries, or experiment with other fruits like blueberries or raspberries for unique flavor variations.
• Use a warm (not hot) environment for rising dough, like near a preheated oven or in a turned-off oven with the light on, to ensure optimal yeast activation.
• Adjust cream cheese frosting consistency by adding more milk for a thinner spread or more powdered sugar for a thicker, richer topping that clings perfectly to warm rolls.
• Prepare rolls the night before, cover, and refrigerate overnight, then let them come to room temperature and rise before baking for convenient morning indulgence.

Serving Cherry Cinnamon Rolls Warm

• Breakfast Bliss Companion: Pair these cherry cinnamon rolls with a steaming cup of vanilla latte or freshly brewed coffee to enhance the sweet and tangy flavor profile.
• Weekend Brunch Centerpiece: Serve these warm rolls as the star attraction during a leisurely weekend gathering, accompanied by fresh fruit salad and light mimosas for a delightful morning spread.
• Dessert Transformation: Elevate the rolls into an evening dessert by adding a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or drizzling extra cherry sauce over the top, creating a decadent after-dinner treat that will impress guests.
• Gift of Love: Wrap individual rolls in parchment paper with a beautiful ribbon for a thoughtful homemade gift that shows personal care and culinary passion.

Storing Cherry Cinnamon Rolls the Right Way

• Refrigeration Strategy: Store these cherry cinnamon rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap each roll individually in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent them from drying out.
• Room Temperature Magic: Keep rolls at room temperature for 1-2 days if you plan to enjoy them quickly. Place them in a sealed container to protect from air exposure and maintain their soft texture.
• Freezing Friendly: Freeze unbaked rolls after the second rise by wrapping the entire pan tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. They'll stay fresh for 4-6 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
• Reheating Hack: Warm refrigerated or frozen rolls in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes. Add a light sprinkle of water before reheating to help restore their original soft and fluffy texture.

Decadent Cherry Cinnamon Rolls

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4.6 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Delectable homemade cherry cinnamon rolls showcase sweet-tart cherries nestled in buttery, spiced dough. Warm rolls fresh from oven deliver comforting layers of rich flavor you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 ½ cups (540 g) bread flour
• 3/2 cup (180 g) whole milk
• 2 large eggs
• ⅓ cup (67 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (60 g) warm water
• 6 tbsps unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 tsp (6 g) active dry yeast
• ½ tsp (3 g) salt
• 3 ½ cups (454 g) frozen cherries
• ⅓ cup (67 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (60 g) cold water
• 2 tbsps (20 g) cornstarch
• 2 cups (260 g) powdered sugar
• 4 tbsps unsalted butter, room temperature (57 g)
• 3 oz (85 g) cream cheese, room temperature
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• 1–3 tbsps (20–60 g) whole milk

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Instructions

1. Compote Creation: Melt frozen cherries with granulated sugar in a simmering pan, stirring until slightly bubbly and transforming into a glossy mixture by incorporating dissolved cornstarch.
2. Yeast Activation: Whisk yeast with warm water and sugar, allowing the mixture to foam for 15 minutes before blending with milk, eggs, and creating a rich dough foundation.
3. Dough Preparation: Sift bread flour and salt into liquid ingredients, gradually incorporating room temperature butter and kneading for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. First Rise: Place dough in a greased vessel, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm environment until nearly doubled in volume.
5. Filling and Shaping: Roll risen dough into a rectangular shape, spread chilled cherry compote, leaving a narrow border, then carefully roll into a compact log and slice into 12 uniform rolls.
6. Second Rise and Baking: Position rolls in a prepared baking pan, allow to expand in a warm location, then bake at 350°F until golden-brown.
7. Frosting Finale: While rolls cool briefly, whip cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk into a luxurious frosting, generously coating the warm rolls for an indulgent touch.

Notes

• Chill the Compote: Refrigerate cherry filling for at least 30 minutes to enhance flavor concentration and prevent soggy dough during rolling.
• Activate Yeast Perfectly: Ensure water temperature is between 100-110°F to wake up yeast without killing it, creating optimal dough rise.
• Knead with Patience: Develop gluten structure by kneading exactly 10 minutes, resulting in tender, soft rolls with perfect texture.
• Frosting Technique: Apply cream cheese frosting when rolls are warm but not hot to achieve smooth, glossy coverage without melting.

• Prep Time: 1 hour (excluding rising time)
• Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 46 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg