Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

Tonya found this recipe on Facebook and wants me to make this for her birthday vice a Chocolate Fudge, Chocolate Chunk, Chocolate cake with a Chocolate Icing.  Yea, that would be 4 layers of chocolate and she wants this instead.  

Who am I to argue?  Could she be wrong?  Should I make both?  First world problems...  they are real...

Ingredients

3 ¼ cups all purpose flour
2 tsp instant yeast
⅓ cup butter
¾ cup milk
¼ cup water
1 egg
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup white sugar

Filling

 1 can Strawberry pie filling
 2 teaspoons cinnamon
 ½ teaspoon sugar

Lemon cream cheese frosting

4 ounce cream cheese
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup powdered (icing) sugar
lemon zest from two lemons, approx 2 tablespoons
fresh squeezed lemon juice, approx 2 to 3 tablespoons (from the 2 lemons you just zested)
1 teaspoon vanilla

Stuff you will need

Stand mixer
Lots of mixing bowls
Whisk
Lemon zester
Citrus squeezer
Rolling pin
Baking pan about 9 x 12 inches
Crisco lard to grease the pan
Can opener
Patience & Love

Instructions

To make the dough: In a microwave safe bowl, heat the butter and milk for approx 90 seconds.

Transfer the milk and butter mixture to your stand mixer with the dough hook.

Let stand (about 5 to 7 minutes) until luke warm temperature. You don't want to burn your yeast.  Sprinkle the yeast on top, until the yeast proofs.  About 5 more minutes.

Whisk egg and water and add to stand mixer.

Mix the flour sugar and salt together. Add about 1 cup of flour mixture at a time, until the dough starts to form and become smooth. 

Let the dough rest for 10 minutes.

On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a large 9 x 15 inch square. About 1/2 inch thick. 

Spread strawberry pie filling evenly on top of the dough. 

In a small bowl combine the cinnamon and sugar and sprinkle on top of the strawberry filling. 

Roll up the 15 inch side into a log and pinch the seams. 

Cut into 9-12 slices depending on how thick you want your cinnamon rolls. Pro Tip: I use dental floss to cut the rolls.  Just slide the dental floss under the roll, cross over the top and pull in either direction.  Voila and perfectly cut roll.

Place in a greased 9 x 12 inch pan and cover with a damp cloth and let rise for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 

Bake for 30 minutes or until just golden brown on the tops.

To make the glaze, beat together the cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar until smooth. Add the milk, vanilla, lemon juice and lemon zest until combined. 

Spread frost (unevenly) over warm cinnamon rolls and enjoy!

Pro Tip: if it has been sitting in the refrigerator, put the roll into the microwave for about 20 to 30 seconds.  If you love them cold, you will be absolutely astounded when they are warm.

Pro Tip: I used a "thunder stick" to blend the contents of the pie filling.  That way, no chunks to be concerned with.

Pro Tip:  Although the recipe calls for strawberry pie filling, apple pie filling is a wonderful substitute.

Comments and suggestions are ALWAYS welcome.