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Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 99 reviews

Delight in these decadent Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls—a perfect blend of classic cinnamon rolls with a rich red velvet twist. Soft, tender dough infused with cocoa and vibrant red food coloring, generously brushed with cinnamon sugar, and topped with a luscious cream cheese glaze. Ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a special treat any time of day.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast
  • 1 cup whole milk, warmed
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon red food coloring
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Filling

  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened (for spreading)

Glaze

  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream

Instructions

  1. Preheat Your Equipment: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure the rolls don’t stick during baking.
  2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the warm milk, melted butter, granulated sugar, red food coloring, and eggs until fully combined and smooth.
  3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, salt, and instant yeast to distribute them evenly.
  4. Make the Dough: Gradually combine the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Knead the dough by hand or with a mixer fitted with a dough hook until it becomes soft, smooth, and elastic, about 8-10 minutes.
  5. First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, roughly 1 hour.
  6. Prepare Rolling Surface: Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the dough into a large rectangle approximately 16×12 inches in size.
  7. Spread Filling: Evenly spread the softened butter over the rolled-out dough. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon together, then sprinkle generously over the buttered dough.
  8. Roll and Slice: Carefully roll the dough tightly from the longer edge to form a log. Use a sharp knife to slice the log into 12 equal rolls.
  9. Arrange Rolls: Place the rolls cut side up in the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish, leaving a little space between each for expansion.
  10. Second Rise: Cover the baking dish and allow the rolls to rise for another 30 minutes, letting them puff up nicely.
  11. Bake: Bake the cinnamon rolls in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until cooked through and lightly golden on top.
  12. Prepare Glaze: While the rolls bake, combine softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream in a bowl. Beat until smooth and creamy.
  13. Glaze and Serve: Once the rolls are out of the oven, allow them to cool slightly before drizzling the cream cheese glaze generously on top. Serve warm for the best experience.

Notes

  • Ensure the milk is warm, not hot, to activate the yeast without killing it.
  • You can adjust the amount of red food coloring to achieve your preferred shade of red velvet.
  • For an extra indulgent twist, add chopped pecans or walnuts to the cinnamon sugar filling.
  • If you prefer a thinner glaze, add a splash more heavy cream until the desired consistency is reached.
  • Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate up to 5 days.
  • Reheat rolls gently in the microwave or oven before serving to restore softness.

Keywords: red velvet cinnamon rolls, cinnamon rolls recipe, cream cheese glaze, breakfast pastries, homemade cinnamon rolls

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