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Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 59 reviews

Indulge in the rich and decadent flavors of these homemade Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls, featuring a soft cocoa-infused dough, a sweet cinnamon sugar filling, and a luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfect for breakfast or a special treat, these rolls combine classic comfort with a vibrant twist.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 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

Filling Ingredients

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

Frosting Ingredients

  • 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. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, yeast, and salt until evenly combined.
  2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, mix warm milk, melted butter, egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring.
  3. Form Dough: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
  4. Knead Dough: Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
  5. First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
  6. Prepare Filling: In a small bowl, combine softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until well mixed.
  7. Roll Dough: Roll out the dough into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick.
  8. Apply Filling: Spread the cinnamon sugar filling evenly over the dough surface.
  9. Shape Rolls: Roll the dough tightly from one end and slice into 12 even rolls.
  10. Second Rise: Place the rolls in a greased baking dish, cover, and let rise for another 30 minutes.
  11. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  12. Bake Rolls: Bake the rolls for 20–25 minutes or until golden brown.
  13. Make Frosting: Beat cream cheese, softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth and creamy.
  14. Frost Rolls: Spread the cream cheese frosting over the warm rolls and serve.

Notes

  • Ensure the milk is warm but not hot to activate the yeast properly.
  • For more intense red color, add an extra ½ tablespoon of red food coloring.
  • Kneading is key to develop gluten for soft, fluffy rolls.
  • If you prefer a sweeter dough, increase granulated sugar by 1–2 tablespoons.
  • Leftover rolls can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days or frozen for longer storage.
  • Reheat gently before serving to restore softness.

Keywords: red velvet cinnamon rolls, cinnamon rolls, red velvet, breakfast pastries, cream cheese frosting, sweet rolls, homemade cinnamon rolls

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