
A dreamy fusion of soft cake, creamy cheesecake filling, and fresh strawberry goodness.
These Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake Rolls are a dessert dream come true — they combine the light, airy texture of a cake roll with the rich creaminess of cheesecake filling, topped with sweet strawberries and a crunchy shortcake crumble. They’re a showstopper for any gathering, yet surprisingly simple to make with the right steps.
Prep & Cook Time
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Bake Time: 12–14 minutes (cake)
- Assembly & Chill Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: About 1 hour 45 minutes
- Servings: 10–12 slices
Ingredients
For the Cake Roll:
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ cup (60 ml) milk
- Powdered sugar, for dusting towel
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream, cold
- ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Strawberry Layer:
- 1½ cups fresh strawberries, diced
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar (optional, for macerating)
For the Shortcake Crumble Topping:
- 12 vanilla sandwich cookies (like Golden Oreos), crushed
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tbsp strawberry gelatin powder (for color and flavor)
Instructions
1. Make the Cake Roll
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper.
- Beat eggs and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer for about 3–4 minutes until thick, pale, and fluffy. Add vanilla extract.
- Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gently fold dry ingredients into egg mixture.
- Stir in milk until just combined — do not overmix.
- Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly.
- Bake for 12–14 minutes, until the top springs back when lightly touched.
- Roll cake immediately: Turn warm cake onto a clean kitchen towel dusted with powdered sugar. Peel off parchment paper, then roll the cake up in the towel (starting from a short side). Let cool completely.
2. Prepare the Cheesecake Filling
- Beat softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar and vanilla; mix until combined.
- In another bowl, whip cold heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- Fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture until smooth and fluffy.
3. Macerate the Strawberries (Optional)
- Toss diced strawberries with granulated sugar and let sit for 10 minutes to draw out juices.
4. Make the Shortcake Crumble
- Crush sandwich cookies into crumbs.
- Mix with melted butter and strawberry gelatin powder until evenly coated.
- Spread on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes, then cool.
5. Assemble the Roll
- Unroll cooled cake carefully.
- Spread cheesecake filling evenly over the cake, leaving 1-inch at the edges.
- Sprinkle a layer of diced strawberries.
- Roll cake back up (without the towel), using gentle pressure to keep it tight.
- Wrap roll in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
6. Finish & Serve
- Before serving, spread extra cheesecake filling or whipped cream over the top and sides.
- Sprinkle generously with shortcake crumble and extra strawberries for garnish.
- Slice with a sharp serrated knife for neat pieces.
Tips for Perfect Results
- Egg volume matters: Whip eggs long enough to trap air — this creates a light sponge texture.
- Don’t overbake: A dry cake will crack when rolling. Bake just until set.
- Cool completely before filling: Warm cake will melt your cheesecake filling.
- For a pink cake roll: Add a drop or two of red food coloring to the batter.
- Make ahead: This roll tastes even better the next day after chilling overnight.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve chilled with extra strawberries and a drizzle of white chocolate.
- Pair with coffee or sparkling wine for a fancy dessert.
Nutrition (per slice, approx. 1/12 of roll)
- Calories: ~320 kcal
- Protein: 5 g
- Fat: 18 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Sugars: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g