Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake Rolls

By Tyla | Last modified on Dec 8, 2025

Featured in: Desserts

Transform your dessert experience with these Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake Rolls, a delightful handheld treat that marries the best of a classic strawberry shortcake and creamy cheesecake. Each bite brings a harmonious blend of fresh strawberries, rich cheesecake filling, and tender crescent dough, perfect for sharing or savoring solo.

This recipe is perfect for those special occasions or whenever you want to impress with a simple yet elegant dessert. The rolls are quick to prepare, making them an ideal choice when you crave something sweet and indulgent without complicated steps.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Combines the classic flavors of strawberry shortcake and creamy cheesecake in one easy-to-handle roll.
Uses simple ingredients that you likely have on hand, perfect for last-minute desserts.
Elegant enough for celebrations yet straightforward enough for everyday indulgence.

Ingredients

Crescent roll dough: Two packages of versatile and flaky dough used as the soft, golden outer layer for rolling the filling.
Cream cheese: 16 oz of softened cream cheese to create a smooth, rich, and tangy cheesecake base inside the rolls.
Granulated sugar: 1/3 cup to sweeten the cream cheese without overpowering its natural tanginess.
Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon for enhancing the cream cheese mixture with warm, aromatic undertones.
Fresh strawberries: 2 cups diced strawberries provide juicy bursts of natural sweetness and bright flavor.
Powdered sugar: 1/4 cup to dust the finished rolls, adding a delicate sweetness and pretty presentation.
Strawberry preserves: 1/2 cup warmed to drizzle on top, elevating the strawberry flavor with a glossy finish.
Butter: 1/4 cup melted butter brushed on rolls before baking to promote browning and add richness.
Shortcake cookie crumbs: 1/2 cup adds a subtle crunch and sweetness, mimicking classic shortcake texture inside the rolls.

Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Set your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to keep the rolls from sticking. This ensures easy cleanup and even baking.
Make the Cream Cheese Filling: Beat the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and fluffy. This mixture forms the luscious, tangy base that perfectly balances sweet strawberries.
Prepare Crescent Dough Base: Unroll the crescent roll dough and firmly press all seams together to form two solid rectangles. This prevents the filling from leaking out and gives the rolls a neat shape.
Spread Filling Over Dough: Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture over each rectangle of dough, leaving a small border around the edges to avoid overflow when rolling.
Add Strawberries and Cookie Crumbs: Sprinkle diced strawberries and shortcake cookie crumbs over the cream cheese layer. These ingredients deliver texture and fresh strawberry flavor with a satisfying crunch.
Roll and Slice: Carefully roll each dough rectangle lengthwise into a tight log. Slice the logs into approximately 2-inch pieces to create perfectly sized rolls for baking and serving.
Arrange and Butter Rolls: Place the sliced rolls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart. Brush the tops generously with melted butter to promote golden-brown, flaky crusts as they bake.
Bake Until Golden: Bake rolls for 15-18 minutes until golden brown and the cream cheese filling is set. This timing ensures a crisp exterior and a creamy interior with delightful strawberry pockets.
Warm Preserves and Glaze: Gently warm strawberry preserves to make it pourable. Drizzle the glaze over the warm rolls to add a sweet, glossy finish that enhances strawberry flavor.
Dust with Powdered Sugar and Serve: Let rolls cool 5-10 minutes before dusting with powdered sugar. This adds a final touch of sweetness and creates an inviting presentation perfect for dessert.

You Must Know

Store the rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume within 3 days for the best texture and freshness.
Ensure rolls are baked until golden brown with the cream cheese filling set to prevent a runny interior.
Allow rolls to cool slightly before adding toppings to avoid melting and spreading.

Storage Tips

Keep leftover rolls refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave before serving to restore their soft texture and warm the filling.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy these rolls on their own as a decadent treat or pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to elevate the dessert experience. They also pair beautifully with a fresh cup of tea or coffee.

Professional Tips

Use cream cheese at room temperature for a smoother filling consistency that spreads easily over dough.
Press crescent dough seams firmly to avoid leakage of cream cheese filling during baking.
For extra texture, sprinkle finely chopped nuts or coconut flakes along with strawberries before rolling.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?: Fresh strawberries work best for texture and flavor, but frozen strawberries can be used if thawed and drained well to avoid excess moisture.
How do I prevent the rolls from becoming soggy?: Pressing seams tightly and using cookie crumbs helps absorb moisture. Baking until golden also ensures a crisp outer texture.
Can I make these rolls ahead of time?: You can assemble the rolls and refrigerate them before baking. Bake fresh when ready to serve for the best results.
What can I substitute for shortcake cookie crumbs?: Graham cracker crumbs or crushed digestive biscuits work well as a substitute to maintain the desired crunchy texture.
Are these rolls suitable for breakfast?: Absolutely! Their creamy, fruity, and slightly sweet flavor makes them a delightful option for brunch or a special breakfast treat.
How should leftover rolls be reheated?: Reheat gently in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-8 minutes to warm the filling and refresh the flaky dough.