Gently rolled and neatly packaged, these Cherry Rolls are soft, fluffy pillows filled with the perfect blend of sweetness and fruity flavor. Whether you enjoy them for breakfast, an afternoon pick-me-up, or as a gooey dessert, these easy-to-make rolls highlight vibrant cherry flavor and flaky dough that will have everyone in your household reaching for more!
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Sweetened yet tangy, these Cherry Rolls are the ultimate fruity and fluffy dish, perfect for pairing with your morning coffee, afternoon tea, or as a snack. The juicy cherry preserves add a burst of vibrant flavor, complementing the soft, buttery dough for a comforting bite that’s impossible to resist.
Made with simple household ingredients like flour, dry yeast, milk, sour cream, butter, sugar, and egg, along with the chunky cherry filling and icing ingredients like lemon zest, powdered sugar, and whipping cream, this straightforward recipe lets you create homemade dough with ease!
Looking for more sweet cherry recipes? Try this Cherry Clafoutis, Cherry and Chocolate Cake or Cola Chocolate Cherry Cake next!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A Morning Favorite: While these rolls are delicious any time of day, there’s something special about enjoying one with your morning cup of coffee or tea. Soft, pillowy, and with a warm, gooey center perfect for dipping—this combo is hard to resist!
- No Fuss, Homemade Dough: Never made homemade dough before? This is the perfect place to start because it’s a no-knead recipe! With the help of your stand mixer, all you need to do is mix, rise, roll, and bake.
- Perfect for Sharing: Whether you're in the mood to share or not, this cherry sweet rolls recipe serves 10, making it a great option for a breakfast buffet or a cozy Sunday morning brunch with family.
Cherry Rolls Ingredients
- Flour and Yeast: All-purpose flour creates the texture and structure of the dough, while active dry yeast helps the dough rise during the proofing process.
- Egg and Butter: The egg adds richness and binds the dough ingredients, resulting in a lighter crumb once baked. The butter contributes to the dough’s softness, flakiness, and tender texture.
- Milk and Creams: Whole milk and sour cream hydrate the dry ingredients and activate the yeast, while also contributing to the dough’s richness and pillowy texture. Heavy cream, combined with powdered sugar, adds richness and a smooth, ribbon-like finish to the glaze.
- Sugars: Granulated sugar sweetens the dough and helps the yeast rise, contributing to the flavor and texture. Powdered sugar is the main sweetener in the glaze, adding a smooth finish to the rolls.
- Cherry Preserves: The main flavor agent in this recipe, adding a tart, flavorful kick while enhancing the gooey consistency of the rolls.
- Lemon Zest: Adds a bright, citrusy flavor that compliments the cherry sweet rolls.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Cheesecake Style: Spread a thin layer of sweetened cream cheese underneath the cherry preserves before rolling for a tangy, cheesecake-inspired spin.
- Add Some Crunch: Sprinkle chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts over the filling for a little added texture and a nutty layer.
- Warm Spices: Stir a touch of cinnamon or cardamom into the dough or filling to give the cherry buns some more cozy, well-spiced depth.
- A Zesty Swap: No lemon zest? No problem—use orange or lime zest instead for that same bright, citrusy lift.
- Chocolate Swirl: Add mini chocolate chips over the cherry layer or swirl hazelnut spread into the preserves for a rich, dessert-style upgrade.
How to Make Cherry Rolls
Ready to turn this cherry sweet rolls recipe into a delicious dessert with a golden-crusted outside, and a tender, gooey inside? Baked in a hot skillet, they’re incredibly easy to prepare! Grab your stand mixer, your 12” cast iron skillet, heat up your saucepan over medium heat, preheat your oven to 350°F, gather your ingredients, and let’s get baking!
Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients. Combine the all purpose flour and active dry yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer and set aside.
Step 2: Warm the Wet Ingredients. Stir together the milk, sour cream, butter, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan. Heat the mixture over medium, stirring occasionally, until the mixture reaches 120°F.
Step 3: Make the Dough. Slowly pour the warm butter mixture into the flour mixture with the mixer on low speed.
Step 4: Knead. Add the egg and continue mixing until a dough forms. Then, switch to a dough hook and knead for 5–10 minutes, until the dough is soft and no longer sticky.
Step 5: Let it Rise. Cover the mixer bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until doubled in size.
Step 6: Roll Out. Roll the dough out into a 14x10” rectangle and spread the cherry preserves and sprinkle lemon zest evenly across the surface.
Step 7: Roll. Roll it up tightly, seal the edges, and slice into 10 even rolls.
Step 8: Slice. Arrange the rolls in the cast iron pan, and allow to rise for 30 minutes, and then bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.
Step 9: Prep the Topping. Whisk together the heavy cream and powdered sugar to make the glaze.
Step 10: Add the Icing. Let the rolls cool slightly before drizzling the glaze over the top.
Hint: For a lighter, fluffier texture, let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free area, like a turned-off oven or a warming drawer.
Serving Suggestions
All the sweet and tart cherry flavor, rolled up in a doughy pillow, makes these cherry cinnamon rolls perfectly satisfying on their own. But if you’re looking for even more ways to enjoy them, here are some ideas, while keeping the rolls the star of the show:
- Build a cherry roll bar and set out a mix of toppings like fresh berries, mint sprigs, chocolate chips, roasted nuts, chocolate ganache and a variety of spreads—like cream cheese, honey, lemon curd, or extra cherry jam.
- Balance out your meal and serve these rolls with a protein-packed breakfast dish like a skillet frittata or breakfast burritos for a sweet and savory combo.
- Add to a full spread with other brunch favorites like Danish Aebleskiver, zucchini potato waffles, or a fluffy cast iron dutch baby to feed a crowd.
Expert Tips for the Best Cherry Rolls
- Check Your Yeast: Active dry yeast typically stays good for several months when stored in the fridge or freezer. Always check the expiration date before baking to ensure the best dough rise.
- Sticky Dough: If your dough feels too sticky while mixing, add more flour 1–2 tablespoons at a time until it becomes smooth and easy to work with.
- Avoid Overmixing: Once the dough is smooth and no longer sticky, stop the mixer. Overmixing can lead to dense, dry rolls with less rise.
- Storing: After cooling, store the cherry rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days—keep the glaze separate. If they’re already glazed or you need longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days. Freezing is not recommended, as it may affect the texture once thawed.
- Reheating: To reheat, place the cherry filled cinnamon rolls in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes, either on a baking sheet or in your cast iron skillet. Cover loosely with foil to keep them from drying out.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! If using frozen cherries, thaw and strain off excess juice before spreading them onto the dough. Chopping them into halves or quarters makes them easier to spread and helps keep the dough intact. Fresh or frozen cherries may not be as sweet as the preserves, so keep that in mind.
Yes! While a cast iron skillet provides even heat and a crispier edge, you can bake the rolls in an 8x8” or 9x9” baking dish instead. Just monitor the baking time, as it may vary slightly.
The cherry cinnamon rolls are ready when the tops are golden brown and slightly crisp, and you see the filling bubbling between the layers. A quick tap on the tops should sound slightly hollow but still feel soft.
More Delicious Fruity Dessert Recipes
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Get the Recipe
Fluffy Sweet Cherry Rolls
Equipment
- 12" Cast Iron Skillet
Ingredients
- 3 ½ - 3 ¾ cups flour all-purpose
- ¼ oz active dry yeast
- ½ cup whole milk
- ½ cup sour cream
- 6 tablespoon butter unsalted, cubed
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg lightly beaten
- 1 cup cherry preserves
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- In a stand mixer bowl, combine flour and yeast.
- In a medium saucepan, combine milk, sour cream, butter, sugar and salt. Cook on medium heat until mixture reaches about 120 degrees, stir occasionally.
- Add butter mixture to flour mixture while the mixer is on low speed. Then add the egg. Mix until it turns into dough. You might have to add flour depending on how sticky it is.
- Switch to a dough hook on stand mixer and beat dough for about 5-10 minutes. The dough shouldn’t be sticky.
- Let dough rise for 1 hour 30 minutes in a warm place.
- Once dough is ready roll it out in a 14×10 rectangle. Spread cherries, lemon over dough and fold over and seal edge. Cut into 10 rolls. Allow to rise for 30 minutes before baking.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and and bake for 30 minutes in a 12″ cast iron skillet.
- Mix cream and powdered sugar to make a topping for the rolls. Top the slightly cooled rolls with the glaze.
Notes
- Check Your Yeast: Always verify the yeast expiration date to ensure your dough rises properly.
- Sticky Dough Fix: Add 1–2 tablespoons of flour at a time if the dough feels too sticky during mixing.
- Avoid Overmixing: Once the dough comes together and is smooth, stop mixing to prevent dense rolls.
Nutrition
Dutch Oven Daddy is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
dina and bruce miller says
So fluffy! We love cherry! Baked these for Easter!!
Edward says
These are the perfect Easter rolls! Thank you!