If there’s a surefire way to win hearts at the breakfast table or impress a brunch crowd, it’s serving up a tray of Cherry Cinnamon Rolls with Homemade Filling. Imagine soft, fluffy dough, sweet and tart cherries swirled with just the right hint of spice, all crowned with a swirl of creamy, tangy frosting. These rolls are that perfect blend of bakery indulgence and homemade comfort—every bite bursting with juicy cherries and warm, gooey cinnamon. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or giving yeast dough a whirl for the first time, this recipe takes you by the hand and delivers delicious results every single time.

Cherry Cinnamon Rolls with Homemade Filling Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in these Cherry Cinnamon Rolls with Homemade Filling plays a pivotal role, from building the pillowy dough to packing the filling with flavor and whipping up the dreamiest frosting. Don’t skip or swap lightly—each piece of this puzzle brings its own magic to the final bake!

Frozen cherries: The star of the filling! Their tart juiciness gives each bite that vibrant, fruit-forward flavor.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens both the dough and cherry filling, balancing the tartness and helping the rolls caramelize as they bake.
Cornstarch: Thickens the homemade cherry filling so it doesn’t run out of your rolled dough during baking.
Cold water: Ensures your cornstarch dissolves smoothly, creating a lump-free fruit filling.
Active dry yeast: Brings the dough to life, giving you those beautiful pillowy rolls.
Whole milk: Adds richness to the dough, making your rolls extra soft and tender.
Eggs: Provide structure and a lovely golden hue—don’t skip them!
Bread flour: Its higher protein content helps build a chewy, bakery-style texture.
Salt: Just a pinch, to balance the sweetness and enhance every flavor.
Unsalted butter: Melt-in-the-mouth richness both in the dough and frosting—make sure it’s at room temp for easy mixing.
Cream cheese: The secret to a tangy, ultra-smooth frosting that’s not overly sweet.
Powdered sugar: Dissolves instantly for a velvety, luscious frosting.
Vanilla extract: Adds fragrant warmth to the frosting—so comforting!
Whole milk (for frosting): Lets you tweak the consistency of your glaze for spreading or drizzling.

How to Make Cherry Cinnamon Rolls with Homemade Filling

Step 1: Prepare the Cherry Filling

First up: transforming frozen cherries into the most vibrant, jammy filling. In a saucepan, combine your cherries and sugar, then gently heat until everything becomes juicy and bubbly. Mix your cornstarch and cold water separately so you don’t get clumps, then stir it in for a gorgeous, thick filling. Once it’s ready, let it cool down completely in the fridge to ensure your dough won’t get gooey or sticky when you spread it later.

Step 2: Activate the Yeast

Give your yeast a cozy, warm bath to help it wake up! Mix warm water, yeast, and just a pinch of sugar in a small bowl. After 15 minutes, it should look bubbly and frothy—proof that your dough will rise beautifully.

Step 3: Make and Knead the Dough

Now, let’s build our dough. Whisk together your milk, sugar, and eggs, then add the bubbly yeast mixture. Sift in bread flour and salt, stirring until you get a shaggy mass. This is where the butter comes in—work it in for richness, then knead everything (by hand or with a stand mixer) for about 10 minutes, until your dough is super smooth and elastic. Pop it into a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm spot for an hour.

Step 4: Roll Out and Fill the Dough

Once your dough has puffed up, dust your counter with flour and roll it into a 14×16-inch rectangle. Grab that chilled cherry filling and spread it evenly, leaving a clean edge to help seal the log. Take your time rolling it up—tight but gentle is key! Moisten the edge with a little water to make sure it seals perfectly.

Step 5: Slice and Arrange the Cherry Cinnamon Rolls with Homemade Filling

Use a sharp non-serrated knife to cut your roulade into twelve gorgeous rolls. Tuck them into a greased 11×15-inch pan, nestling them side by side so they bake up fluffy and tall.

Step 6: Second Rise

Here comes the magic: let your cherry cinnamon rolls with homemade filling relax in a warm spot for another thirty minutes. They’ll puff up gently, guaranteeing that dreamy bakery rise and tenderness.

Step 7: Bake and Frost

Bake your rolls in a preheated 350°F oven for 30-35 minutes—just until the tops turn a light, golden brown. While they bake, beat together butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk for the silkiest frosting. Allow the rolls to cool for about 15 minutes, then lavish on that luscious cream cheese frosting. The combination of warm rolls and cool icing is pure heaven!

How to Serve Cherry Cinnamon Rolls with Homemade Filling

Garnishes

For a pretty finish, sprinkle fresh or dried cherries, a shower of extra cinnamon, or a handful of toasted chopped nuts over your frosted rolls. You can even grate a little orange zest for a fresh twist that brightens up the fruity filling.

Side Dishes

Pair your cherry cinnamon rolls with homemade filling with a fresh fruit salad, a dollop of Greek yogurt, or simply a piping hot mug of coffee. They’re also dreamy alongside crispy bacon or scrambled eggs if you’re putting on a truly epic breakfast spread.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange the rolls in a circular pan for a “tear and share” centerpiece, or serve them individually on whimsical dessert plates. For brunch parties, slice them in half and fill with extra cherry compote for a decadent dessert sandwich.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your cherry cinnamon rolls with homemade filling super soft, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, or in the refrigerator for four days. The frosting helps lock in moisture, so they stay irresistibly fluffy!

Freezing

Both the baked, unfrosted rolls and cream cheese frosting freeze well separately. Wrap cooled rolls tightly, freeze for up to two months, and thaw at room temperature before reheating and frosting. You’ll have homemade bakery flavors on standby for any occasion!

Reheating

Gently warm individual rolls in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or reheat the whole tray in a low oven (300°F) covered with foil for 10-15 minutes. Add frosting after reheating for that fresh-from-the-oven softness and flavor.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cherries instead of frozen?

Absolutely! Fresh cherries work beautifully in the filling, just be sure to pit and halve them first. Depending on how juicy they are, you may need to simmer the filling a little longer to thicken.

Why is my dough not rising enough?

Yeast doughs love warmth and time. Make sure your yeast is fresh and that your kitchen isn’t too chilly. If needed, place your dough near a sunny window or on top of a barely-warm oven to encourage rising.

Can I make the rolls the night before?

Yes! After slicing and arranging the rolls in your pan, cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, let them come to room temperature and rise before baking as usual—perfect for early breakfasts.

What can I substitute for bread flour?

You can use all-purpose flour if that’s what you have on hand, but bread flour gives your cherry cinnamon rolls with homemade filling their classic chewy yet tender bite.

Is there a vegan version of this recipe?

With a few swaps—plant-based butter, non-dairy milk, egg replacer, and vegan cream cheese—you can absolutely adapt these rolls for a dairy-free, egg-free treat.

Final Thoughts

There’s something deeply special about pulling a tray of Cherry Cinnamon Rolls with Homemade Filling from your oven, frosting melting into the warm spirals, and that inviting scent wafting through your kitchen. Whether you’re baking to celebrate or just to indulge, don’t hesitate—these rolls are bliss in each soft, fruity, frosting-topped bite. Happy baking!