Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Delight in these indulgent Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls featuring a soft, cocoa-infused dough tinted with vibrant red food coloring, swirled with a delicious cinnamon-sugar filling, and topped with a creamy, tangy cream cheese frosting. Perfect for a festive breakfast or a special treat, these rolls combine classic comfort flavors with a striking appearance.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 cinnamon rolls 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough:
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/2 cup warm milk (about 110°F or 43°C)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Cinnamon Filling:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (to reach desired consistency)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a small bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter, egg, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, and red food coloring. Add the activated yeast mixture and mix thoroughly to combine.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the wet ingredients, stirring until a soft dough forms.
- Knead and Rise: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead it for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Prepare the Filling: In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and softened butter until fully blended and spreadable.
- Roll Out the Dough: After the dough has risen, punch it down and place it on a floured surface. Roll it into a 1/4-inch thick rectangle. Evenly spread the cinnamon filling over the surface of the dough.
- Shape the Rolls: Starting from one long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log. Slice the log into 12 equal pieces and arrange them in a greased baking dish with some space between each roll.
- Second Rise: Cover the rolls with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let them rise for another 30 minutes until puffy.
- Bake the Rolls: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes until they are set and lightly golden on top. Let them cool slightly before frosting.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat together softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until creamy. Add 1-2 tablespoons of milk as needed to achieve the desired consistency. Spread the frosting over the warm cinnamon rolls before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the milk is warm but not hot to properly activate the yeast.
- Knead the dough enough to develop gluten for a soft and elastic texture.
- Use room temperature butter for the filling to spread easily and evenly.
- Red food coloring can be adjusted for desired hue intensity.
- Allow rolls to cool slightly before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting completely.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Reheat rolls gently in the microwave or oven before serving to refresh softness.
Keywords: red velvet cinnamon rolls, cinnamon rolls recipe, homemade cinnamon rolls, cream cheese frosting, breakfast pastries, holiday treats
