Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls are a delicious and visually striking twist on traditional cinnamon rolls. They combine the soft, fluffy texture of cinnamon rolls with the rich, slightly tangy flavor and vibrant red color of red velvet cake. Here’s a simple recipe to make your own:
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 2 eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring (gel or liquid)
For the Cinnamon Filling:
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
For the Cream Cheese Icing:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dough:
- In a small bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Stir and let sit for 5–10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Add in the yeast mixture, softened butter, eggs, and red food coloring. Stir until the dough begins to come together.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8–10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover with a damp cloth. Let it rise in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
2. Prepare the Filling:
- In a small bowl, combine softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir until smooth and spreadable.
3. Roll Out the Dough:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle (about 16×12 inches).
- Spread the cinnamon filling evenly across the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
4. Shape the Rolls:
- Starting at one long edge, carefully roll the dough into a tight log.
- Slice the dough into 12 even pieces and place them in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
5. Second Rise:
- Cover the rolls loosely with a damp cloth and let them rise for about 30 minutes, or until they puff up.
6. Bake:
- Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
7. Make the Cream Cheese Icing:
- While the rolls are baking, beat together softened cream cheese, butter, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, and salt until smooth and creamy.
8. Finish the Rolls:
- Once the rolls are out of the oven, let them cool slightly before spreading the cream cheese icing generously on top.
Enjoy!
These Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls are best served warm, with a gooey cream cheese icing that complements the soft, fluffy texture of the dough and the warm cinnamon filling. Enjoy!
