Berry Bliss Spirals

Prepare to fall in love with these utterly delightful Strawberry Twists! Imagine a tender, cloud-like pastry, generously filled with a vibrant, sweet strawberry compote, and crowned with a zesty, tart lemon cream cheese glaze. Far more than just a simple pastry, these gorgeous twists are a scrumptious, fruity evolution of the beloved classic cinnamon roll, offering a sophisticated yet comforting flavor profile that will undoubtedly become a new favorite in your baking repertoire. Perfect for any occasion, from a leisurely Sunday brunch to a sophisticated bridal shower, their irresistible combination of sweet and tangy notes is truly unforgettable.

For those who can’t resist the magical pairing of strawberry and lemon, you’re in good company! This dynamic duo creates a harmonious balance that brightens any dish. If you find yourself craving more of this fantastic flavor combination, be sure to explore other delightful recipes like our refreshing Lemon Strawberry Trifle or our invigorating Strawberry Lemonade.

Crafting Your Own Strawberry Twists: A Step-by-Step Guide

These magnificent twists boast an exquisite strawberry lemon flavor combination that is simply perfect. They are an absolute delight, no matter the time of day you choose to enjoy them. Let’s delve into the detailed process of creating these heavenly pastries. Remember, for a complete list of ingredients and precise measurements, please refer to the full, printable recipe card located at the end of this post.

Homemade Strawberry Filling

Creating your own fresh strawberry filling is surprisingly simple and yields a flavor far superior to anything store-bought. It forms the sweet heart of these twists.

1. Simmer: In a small saucepan, combine your diced strawberries and granulated sugar. Cook them over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, or until the sugar has fully dissolved and the strawberries begin to soften and release their juices.
2. Thicken: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the fresh lemon juice and cornstarch until a smooth slurry forms. Add this mixture to the simmering strawberries and stir well to combine. Increase the heat slightly to medium and continue to cook for another five minutes, stirring frequently. The filling will noticeably thicken as it cooks, reaching a jam-like consistency. This thickness is key to preventing leaks during baking.
3. Chill: Remove the saucepan from the heat and transfer the hot strawberry filling into a heat-safe container, such as a glass canning jar or a shallow dish. Allow it to cool completely, then refrigerate until it is firm and ready to be used. Chilling the filling is crucial for ease of assembly.

The Velvety Twists Dough

The dough is the foundation of these twists, offering a tenderness that sets them apart. Its unique texture is a result of a special ingredient.

1. Initial Mix: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1½ cups of all-purpose flour with the active dry yeast. Give it a quick stir and set this mixture aside. This allows the yeast to be ready to activate.
2. Heat Wet Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, gently heat the milk, instant mashed potato flakes, cubed unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and kosher salt. Stir continuously until the butter is melted, the sugar is dissolved, and the mixture reaches approximately 120°F (49°C). This temperature is vital for activating the yeast without killing it.
3. Combine & Beat: Carefully add the warm milk mixture to the flour and yeast mixture in the large mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer on low speed, beat for 30 seconds, ensuring to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Incorporate the room temperature eggs and continue to beat just until they are fully combined into the dough.
4. Knead to Perfection: If using a stand mixer, switch to the dough hook attachment. Gradually add the remaining all-purpose flour, about half a cup at a time, allowing it to fully incorporate after each addition. Continue mixing with the dough hook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, or until the dough becomes smooth, elastic, and pulls away cleanly from the sides of the bowl. If you’re kneading by hand, transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead vigorously for approximately 5 to 7 minutes until it achieves a similar smooth and elastic consistency.
5. First Rise: Divide the perfectly kneaded dough into two equal halves. Lightly grease two medium-sized bowls and place one half of the dough into each. Turn the dough over once in each bowl to ensure it is evenly coated with oil. Cover the bowls tightly with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place until it has doubled in size, which typically takes about an hour.

Zesty Lemon Cream Cheese Glaze

This bright and creamy glaze is the perfect finishing touch, adding a delightful tang that balances the rich sweetness of the twists.

1. Cream Together: In a medium mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and softened unsalted butter until the mixture is light, fluffy, and completely smooth. This creates the creamy base for your glaze.
2. Add Liquids & Zest: Beat in the fresh lemon juice, milk, fine sea salt, and aromatic lemon zest. Continue mixing until all ingredients are well combined and the mixture is smooth.
3. Sweeten & Adjust: Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating after each addition. Continue to add powdered sugar until your desired consistency is reached. For a thinner glaze, you can add a tiny bit more milk, a teaspoon at a time. For a thicker glaze, add a bit more powdered sugar. Set aside until ready to use.

Expert Tip: For effortlessly extracting zest from lemons, a high-quality microplane is an invaluable tool in any kitchen!

Assembly and Baking for Golden Perfection

Bringing all the elements together results in these stunning and delicious pastries.

1. Prepare Baking Sheets: Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
2. Roll Out Dough: On a lightly floured work surface, take one half of the risen dough. Roll it out into a rectangle approximately 12 inches long by 8 inches wide. Aim for an even thickness.
3. Spread Filling: Spread half of the thoroughly chilled strawberry filling evenly over one half of the rolled-out dough rectangle. Ensure it’s not too thick at the edges to aid in sealing.
4. Fold & Seal: Carefully pull the other half of the dough over the filling. Gently press the edges together to firmly seal the filling inside, creating a filled rectangle.
5. Cut & Twist: Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough rectangle lengthwise into twelve even strips. Take each strip, hold both ends, and gently twist it several times to create an elegant spiral. Place the twisted strips onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving adequate space between each twist for expansion during the second rise and baking.
6. Repeat: Repeat steps 2 through 5 with the remaining half of the dough and strawberry filling, utilizing the second baking sheet to ensure no overcrowding.
7. Second Rise: Cover the twisted pastries lightly with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let them rise again in a warm, draft-free place for another 30 minutes, or until they have nearly doubled in size once more. This second rise contributes to their ultimate lightness.
8. Preheat Oven: While the twists are completing their second rise, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
9. Bake: Bake the strawberry twists for 8 to 12 minutes, or until they turn a beautiful golden brown on top and are cooked through. Keep a close eye on them to prevent over-baking.
10. Glaze & Serve: Once removed from the oven, let the twists cool slightly on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. While still warm, generously drizzle the prepared lemon cream cheese glaze over the tops. Serve these delectable treats warm for the best experience.

Important Note: It is crucial to allow the strawberry filling to cool completely in the refrigerator before using it. Applying hot or even warm filling to the raw dough will melt the butter in the dough, making it incredibly difficult to roll and twist the pastries properly. Patience in this step will ensure perfectly formed twists!

Exciting Variations to Elevate Your Twists

This strawberry twist recipe is wonderfully versatile, offering plenty of opportunities for creative customization. Don’t hesitate to experiment with these variations to discover your own perfect pastry:

• Berry Medley: Introduce a richer berry flavor by swapping half of the fresh strawberries for other delicious berries like raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries. This creates a more complex and colorful filling.
• Cherry Blossom Twists: For a delightful twist, consider using fresh cherries instead of strawberries when they are in season. If fresh cherries aren’t available, a high-quality canned cherry pie filling can be a convenient and delicious substitute.
• Chocolate Infusion: Before adding the strawberry filling, spread a thin, even layer of melted chocolate or a decadent hazelnut spread like Nutella over the dough. This adds a rich, complementary flavor that pairs beautifully with the fruit.
• Citrus Burst Dough: For an extra layer of bright citrus flavor throughout the pastry, incorporate a teaspoon of fresh lemon zest directly into the dough mixture. This subtle addition beautifully complements the strawberry filling and enhances the vibrant lemon notes in the cream cheese glaze.
• Cream Cheese Layer: For an even richer and creamier experience, spread a thin layer of softened cream cheese over the dough before you add the strawberry filling. This creates a cheesecake-like element within the twist.
• Alternative Drizzles: Instead of the lemon cream cheese glaze, experiment with other toppings. Drizzle the warm twists with melted dark or white chocolate for a luxurious finish, or opt for a rich caramel sauce for a different kind of indulgence.

Trish’s Expert Baking Tips for Success

Achieving bakery-quality strawberry twists is easier than you think with a few simple pointers:

• Thick Filling is Key: Ensure your homemade strawberry filling is cooked down to a nice, thick consistency before removing it from the heat. A robust, thick filling is much less likely to ooze out of the twists during the baking process, preventing messy baking sheets and ensuring all that deliciousness stays right where it belongs. If it’s too thin, simmer it a little longer.
• Glaze Consistency Matters: Pay close attention to the consistency of your lemon cream cheese glaze. A glaze that is too thin will simply run off the sides of your beautiful twists, leaving them bare. You can easily adjust the consistency by beating in a bit more powdered sugar for a thicker glaze, or adding a touch more milk (a half teaspoon at a time) if you prefer it a little thinner. Aim for a pourable but not watery consistency.
• Cool Before Glazing: Always allow your freshly baked twists to cool down a bit before you apply the glaze. Glazing hot pastries will cause the cream cheese and butter in the glaze to melt rapidly, resulting in a runny, absorbed topping rather than a distinct, creamy layer. Lukewarm is ideal for the glaze to set perfectly.
• Quality Zesting Tool: Investing in a high-quality microplane or lemon zester will make extracting the fragrant zest from your lemons an absolute breeze. A good zester produces fine, fluffy zest without grating into the bitter white pith, ensuring pure lemon flavor in your glaze.

Discover More Irresistible Strawberry Treats

If you’re a true strawberry enthusiast, there’s a world of delightful recipes waiting to be explored! Expand your collection of fruity favorites with these other fantastic strawberry-focused desserts:

1. Strawberry Shortcake Roulade
2. Strawberry Poke Cake
3. Mini Strawberry Pies
4. Strawberry Sorbet
5. Strawberry Tiramisu

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Strawberry Twists

These Strawberry Twists with Lemon Cream Cheese Glaze feature a delightful homemade strawberry filling and a zesty lemon cream cheese glaze. It’s a sweet and flavorful combination that’s sure to become your new favorite addition to Sunday brunch!

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Keyword: strawberry twists, strawberry twists with lemon cream cheese glaze

Prep Time: 2 hours

Cook Time: 8 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 8 minutes

Servings: 24 twists

Calories: 220 kcal

Author: Trish – Mom On Timeout

Ingredients

Strawberry Filling

• 2 cups strawberries, diced
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons corn starch

Twists Dough

• 4 cups all purpose flour (up to 4 ½ cups if needed)
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 ¾ cups milk
• ½ cup instant mashed potato flakes
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 large eggs, room temperature

Lemon Cream Cheese Glaze

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• ½ tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons milk (2 to 3 tbsp)
• ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 2 cups powdered sugar (2 to 3 cups)

Instructions

Strawberry Filling

1. Stir the strawberries and sugar together in a small saucepan over medium-low heat for 5 minutes or until sugar dissolves. Combine lemon juice and corn starch in a small bowl and whisk to combine. Add to strawberry mixture and stir to combine. Turn heat to medium and heat for another five minutes, stirring frequently, until the filling has noticeably thickened. (Ingredients: 2 cups strawberries, ½ cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 2 tablespoons corn starch)
2. Remove from heat and transfer to a heat safe container, like a glass canning jar, and refrigerate until needed.

Twists Dough

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1½ cups flour and the yeast. Set aside. (Ingredients: 4 cups all purpose flour, 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast)
2. In a medium saucepan, heat the milk, potato flakes, butter, sugar and salt until it reaches 120°F. (Ingredients: 1 ¾ cups milk, ½ cup instant mashed potato flakes, 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, ⅓ cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon kosher salt)
3. Add the heated mixture to the flour and yeast mixture and beat on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add eggs and beat just until combined. (Ingredients: 2 large eggs)
4. Switch to the dough hook and add remaining flour, half a cup at a time, until fully incorporated. Continue mixing with the dough hook for another 3 to 5 minutes or until dough is smooth and elastic. (If you don’t have a mixer, simply knead dough by hand for about 5 minutes on a lightly floured surface.) (Ingredients: 4 cups all purpose flour)
5. Divide the dough in half and place in two lightly greased bowls. Turn the dough over once to coat. Cover bowls and let rise until doubled in size – about an hour.

Lemon Cream Cheese Glaze

1. While the dough is rising, prepare the glaze.
2. Beat the cream cheese and butter together until light and fluffy. Beat in the lemon juice, milk, salt and lemon zest. (Ingredients: 4 ounces cream cheese, 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, ½ tablespoon lemon juice, 2 tablespoons milk, ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt, 1 tablespoon lemon zest)
3. Beat the powdered sugar in one cup at a time until desired consistency is reached. Set aside. (Ingredients: 2 cups powdered sugar)

Assembly and Baking

1. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. Lightly flour a work surface and roll out half the dough at a time into a 12-inch x 8-inch rectangle.
3. Spread half of the chilled strawberry filling down one half of the rectangle.
4. Pull the other half of the dough over the filling and press ends to seal.
5. Cut into twelve even strips. Grab each end of a strip and gently twist and place on prepared baking sheets. Repeat with all strips. Repeat process with remaining half of dough and filling using both baking sheets so twists have adequate space between them.
6. Cover twists and let rise for another 30 minutes or so, or until nearly doubled in size again.
7. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 8 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.
8. Drizzle lemon cream cheese glaze on top and serve warm.

Notes

Storage Information

As with any sweet pastries, strawberry twists are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store them for a short period of time to enjoy later. Here are two ways I recommend storing your leftover strawberry twists.

• Room Temperature: Let the twists cool completely on a wire rack before storing. Place the twists in an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap. Eat within a day of storing at room temperature.
• Refrigerator: Once the twists have cooled completely, place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
• Reheating: When ready to enjoy, warm the twists in a preheated oven (around 350°F / 175°C) for a few minutes or briefly warm in a microwave.

Nutrition Information

Calories:

220 kcal

Carbohydrates:

36g

Protein:

3g

Fat:

7g

Saturated Fat:

4g

Cholesterol:

32mg

Sodium:

187mg

Potassium:

70mg

Fiber:

1g

Sugar:

18g

Vitamin A:

231 IU

Vitamin C:

9mg

Calcium:

37mg

Iron:

1mg

Originally published April 23, 2016.