Description
These Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls are a delightful twist on a classic breakfast treat, featuring a rich cocoa-infused dough tinted with vibrant red food coloring, filled with a sweet cinnamon-brown sugar mixture, and topped with luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfectly soft, fluffy, and bursting with flavor, they are an irresistible indulgence for any occasion.
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
- Prepare the Dough: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, yeast, and salt. In another bowl, combine warm milk, melted butter, egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Make the Filling: In a small bowl, mix softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until well combined.
- Assemble the Rolls: Roll out the dough into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick. Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough. Roll the dough tightly from one end and slice into 12 even rolls. Place the rolls in a greased baking dish and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 20–25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Make the Frosting & Serve: Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth. Spread the frosting over warm rolls and enjoy!
Notes
- Use warm milk (110°F) to activate the yeast properly.
- Don’t over-knead the dough—stop once it’s smooth and slightly tacky.
- Make sure the rolls rise properly before baking to ensure fluffiness.
- Spread frosting on warm rolls for best melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: red velvet cinnamon rolls, cinnamon rolls, red velvet, cream cheese frosting, breakfast pastry, homemade rolls
