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Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

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4.8 from 142 reviews

Indulge in these delicious Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls, featuring a soft cocoa-infused dough with a vibrant red hue, filled with a classic cinnamon and brown sugar mixture, and topped with a rich cream cheese frosting. Perfect for breakfast or a special treat any time of day.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough:

  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup warm milk (110°F)
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon red food coloring

For the Cinnamon Filling:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cinnamon

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1–2 tablespoons milk (for consistency)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, instant yeast, and salt until evenly combined. In another bowl, mix the warm milk, melted butter, egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring. Gradually incorporate the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8 to 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
  2. Make the Filling: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
  3. Assemble the Rolls: Roll the risen dough out on a floured surface into a rectangle approximately ¼ inch thick. Evenly spread the cinnamon filling over the entire surface. Starting from one long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Slice the log into 12 equal rolls. Arrange the rolls in a greased baking dish, leaving a bit of space between each. Cover the dish and let the rolls rise for an additional 30 minutes to puff up.
  4. Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 20 to 25 minutes or until they turn golden brown on top and are cooked through.
  5. Make the Frosting & Serve: While the rolls bake, beat together the softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk until smooth and creamy. Spread this cream cheese frosting generously over the warm rolls right out of the oven. Serve immediately and enjoy the delicious, warm treat.

Notes

  • Ensure the milk is warm but not too hot (around 110°F) to activate the yeast effectively without killing it.
  • Kneading the dough well develops gluten, which helps create a tender and fluffy roll texture.
  • For a deeper red color, you may add a little more red food coloring, but be cautious as too much can affect flavor.
  • Make sure the butter in the filling and frosting is softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
  • If you don’t have instant yeast, you can substitute with active dry yeast but allow additional time for proofing.
  • These rolls are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
  • Reheat rolls gently in the microwave or oven before serving to restore softness.

Keywords: Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls, Cinnamon Rolls, Cream Cheese Frosting, Breakfast Rolls, Red Velvet Dessert

Find it online: https://victoriablair.com/red-velvet-cinnamon-rolls-recipe/