Welp. With my kids school being on extended Spring Break for at least another week, I thought I would spend some time baking. These Skinny Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls were pretty much at the top of the list to make because… It’s strawberry season and who can say no to a homemade cinnamon roll of any kind?
These Skinny Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls are scratch made with a lightly sweetened cake and a quick and easy strawberry filling. Over the top is a lightened up cream cheese drizzle that really takes these sweet bites of heaven to the next level.
I lightened these cinnamon rolls up and made them a little better-for-you by using a whole wheat white flour. I also swapped the sugar for a natural sweetener and used a reduced fat cream cheese. There’s some egg whites in there too.
Making these cinnamon rolls is a messy task. Especially cutting them out to put them into the pan(s). They are for sure, not the easiest of cinnamon rolls to work with. But, I promise you that it CAN be done and it IS worth it.
The end result is perfectly fluffy filling cinnamon rolls with enough to feed the whole family, and then some! Even my little brother who’s laid up with a broken leg and can’t stand most ‘hot fruit’ recipes has eaten his fair share of these whilst bed ridden.
TheSkinnyFork.com Homemade big thick fluffy cinnamon rolls with a strawberry filling and cream cheese drizzle on top. Perfect for weekend breakfast or brunch! Prep Time: 2 Hours • Cook Time: 12 Minutes
Servings: 16 • Serving Size: 1 Cinnamon Roll • Calories: 233 • Fat: 4 g • Saturated Fat: 2 g • Carb: 45 g • Fiber: 2 g • Protein: 5 g • Sugar: 17 g • Sodium: 108 mg
Dough:
• 1 C. Hot Water
• 1 Tbsp. Butter
• 1 Whole Large Egg
• 2 Egg Whites
• 1/2 Tsp. Vanilla Extract
• 1/4 C. Sugar
• 1/4 C. Natural Sweetener
• 4 C. Whole Wheat White Flour (Spooned & Leveled Properly)
• 1/2 Tsp. Salt
• 2 1/4 Tsp. Active Dry Yeast (Or 1 Package.)
Filling:
• 1 (21 Oz.) Can Strawberry Pie Filling
• 1 Tsp. Ground Cinnamon
Drizzle:
• 2 Oz. Neufchâtel Cream Cheese, Softened
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. Butter, Softened
• 1/2 C. Powdered Sugar Substitute
• 2 Tbsp. Unsweetened Almond Milk
• 1 Tsp. Vanilla Extract
Directions:
Bread Machine: Place the ingredients for the cinnamon rolls into a bread machine in the order listed and set it to the 'dough cycle' setting.
No Bread Machine: If you do not have a bread machine, you can combine the hot water and yeast into a bowl and allow the yeast to activate and foam up. Once the yeast is active you can combine the remaining ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer with the hook attachment or knead by hand. Spray a large bowl with non-stick cooking spray and place dough inside. Cover with plastic wrap and allow it to sit for an hour until doubled in size.
Once the dough cycle has ended or the dough has risen for it's first time. Punch it down and allow to rise for another hour or until doubled in size once more.
While the dough is rising, whisk together the 21 Oz. strawberry pie filling and 1 Tsp. cinnamon for the filling.
After the second rise, remove the dough to a lightly floured surface and roll out into a large rectangle.
Spread the strawberry pie filling mixture over the top the dough.
Lightly spray two rounded 8 inch cake pans or a 13x9 with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
Roll the dough into a tight, long, skinny log with the seamside down once done. Cut into 16 equal pieces. THIS WILL BE MESSY. (I had a few smaller end pieces leftover that I stuck where I could in the pans.) I use floss to do this! Yes. Floss.
Place the cinnamon rolls into the prepared pan(s). Cover with plastic wrap or a tea towl and place in a nice warm place to allow them to rise for another 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Once ready, remove the plastic wrap and bake the cinnamon rolls for about 12 minutes.
In the mean time, combine the 2 Oz. cream cheese, 1 1/2 Tbsp. butter, 1/2 C. powdered sugar substitute, 2 Tbsp. milk, and 1 Tsp. vanilla together in a bowl and whisk together until smooth and creamy.
Remove the cinnamon rolls from the oven and allow to cool slightly before drizzling the cream cheese grosting over the top.
Step-by-Step Photos:
Nutritional Claims: Low Fat • Low Sodium • Low Potassium • Kidney Friendly • Vegetarian • Pescatarian • Peanut Free • Soy Free • Fish Free • Shellfish Free • Pork Free • Red Meat Free • Crustacean Free • Celery Free • Mustard Free • Sesame Free • Lupine Free • Mollusk Free • Alcohol Free • Kosher
