Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls bring together the rich, vibrant flavor of red velvet cake with the comforting warmth of cinnamon rolls. These rolls are soft, fluffy, and topped with a creamy cream cheese icing, making them the perfect indulgence for any special occasion or cozy morning treat.
Jump to RecipeImagine sinking your teeth into a soft, buttery dough swirled with a sweet, cinnamon-infused filling, all topped with a luscious layer of cream cheese icing that melts into the warm rolls. It’s like enjoying your favorite red velvet cake in cinnamon roll form. Plus, the gorgeous red hue adds a festive touch, perfect for holidays or celebrations.
Why You’ll Love Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls
1. Rich Red Velvet Flavor
These cinnamon rolls aren’t just any regular rolls—they have a hint of cocoa and a splash of red food coloring, giving them that signature red velvet flavor and appearance.
2. Soft, Buttery Texture
The dough is enriched with butter and milk, which keeps it soft and tender. When baked to perfection, the rolls come out fluffy and delicious, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
3. Sweet Cinnamon Filling
A blend of butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon creates the perfect gooey, sweet filling that pairs beautifully with the rich red velvet dough.
4. Cream Cheese Icing
No red velvet dessert is complete without cream cheese icing! This smooth, tangy topping elevates the rolls to a whole new level of deliciousness.
Ingredients for Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls
For the Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation of the dough.
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness to the dough.
- 1 package (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast: Helps the dough rise.
- 1/2 tsp salt: Enhances the flavors.
- 3/4 cup warm milk (110°F/45°C): Activates the yeast and provides moisture.
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted: Adds richness and flavor.
- 1 large egg: Helps bind the dough and adds structure.
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder: For a subtle red velvet flavor.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor of the dough.
- Red food coloring (gel preferred): Gives the dough its vibrant red color.
For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened: Creates a rich, buttery base for the filling.
- 1/2 cup brown sugar: Adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness.
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon: The star spice that gives cinnamon rolls their classic flavor.
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar: Adds extra sweetness to the filling.
For the Cream Cheese Icing:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened: For a smooth, tangy topping.
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened: Adds creaminess and richness to the icing.
- 1 cup powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the icing.
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to the icing.
- 1-2 tbsp milk (optional): To thin the icing if needed.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls
1. Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 1/2 cups of flour, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 package (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast, and 1/2 tsp salt.
In a separate bowl, mix 3/4 cup warm milk, 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter, 1 large egg, 1 tbsp cocoa powder, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and red food coloring until smooth.
Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.
Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5-7 minutes, adding the remaining flour as needed, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
2. Prepare the Cinnamon Filling
In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and 2 tbsp ground cinnamon until well combined.
3. Roll Out the Dough
Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air and roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle (about 12×18 inches).
Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the rolled-out dough.
4. Roll and Cut the Dough
Starting from the long side, tightly roll up the dough into a log.
Using a sharp knife, cut the log into 12 equal slices.
5. Second Rise
Place the slices in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover and let the rolls rise for another 30-45 minutes, until they puff up.
6. Bake the Rolls
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
7. Make the Cream Cheese Icing
While the rolls are baking, prepare the icing by beating together 4 oz softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup softened butter, 1 cup powdered sugar, and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract until smooth.
If the icing is too thick, add 1-2 tbsp of milk to thin it to your desired consistency.
8. Serve and Enjoy
Once the rolls have baked and are still warm, spread the cream cheese icing generously over the top.
Serve the rolls immediately and enjoy the delicious combination of red velvet, cinnamon, and cream cheese in every bite!
Why These Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Are So Special
1. Vibrant Red Color
The red food coloring adds a bold, festive look to these cinnamon rolls, making them perfect for holidays like Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or any special occasion.
2. Subtle Chocolate Flavor
The cocoa powder gives the dough a subtle chocolatey flavor, which pairs perfectly with the sweet, cinnamon filling and tangy cream cheese icing.
3. Rich Cream Cheese Icing
The cream cheese icing adds a creamy, tangy contrast to the sweetness of the rolls, balancing out the flavors and making each bite indulgent.
Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls
12
servings30
minutes25
minutes2
hours40
minutesThese fluffy rolls are packed with cinnamon, a sweet cream cheese icing, and a hint of red velvet. The perfect combination of flavors and textures will leave you craving more. Enjoy these special occasion treats for a satisfying dessert.
Ingredients
- Dough:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 package (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup warm milk (110°F/45°C)
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg
1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
Red food coloring (gel preferred, amount to achieve desired color)
- Filling:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp ground cinnamon
1/4 cup granulated sugar
- **Cream Cheese Icing:
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1-2 tbsp milk (optional, to thin icing)
Directions
- Prepare Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 1/2 cups of the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. In a separate bowl, mix warm milk, melted butter, egg, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and red food coloring until smooth. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5-7 minutes, adding the remaining flour as needed until the dough is smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Prepare Filling: In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon until well combined.
- Roll Out Dough: Punch down the risen dough and roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle (about 12×18 inches). Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough.
- Roll Up and Cut: Starting from the long side, tightly roll up the dough into a log. Cut the log into 12 equal slices.
- Second Rise: Place the slices in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise for another 30-45 minutes until puffed.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Make Icing: While the rolls bake, prepare the cream cheese icing by beating together the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add milk to thin the icing if desired.
- Serve: Spread the cream cheese icing over the warm rolls. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For a festive touch, sprinkle the finished rolls with red and white sprinkles!
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Tips for Success
1. Use Gel Food Coloring
Gel food coloring is more concentrated than liquid food coloring, which means you’ll need less to achieve the vibrant red color. Plus, it won’t affect the consistency of the dough as much as liquid food coloring might.
2. Don’t Overfill the Rolls
While it might be tempting to load the dough with as much cinnamon filling as possible, too much filling can cause the rolls to unravel as they bake. Stick to the amounts in the recipe for the best results.
3. Let the Dough Rise Properly
Patience is key! Make sure to give the dough enough time to rise during both the first and second rise. This will ensure that your rolls turn out soft, fluffy, and perfectly baked.
Conclusion
Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls are the perfect combination of rich red velvet flavor and classic cinnamon rolls. With their soft, fluffy dough, sweet cinnamon filling, and creamy cream cheese icing, they’re a decadent treat that’s sure to impress. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just because, these rolls will quickly become a favorite.
So, get ready to enjoy the ultimate indulgence—Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls that are as beautiful as they are delicious! Happy baking!