Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing are a delightful twist on the classic cinnamon roll. These rolls are soft, fluffy, and bursting with flavor, thanks to the rich red velvet base and sweet cinnamon filling. Topped with creamy cream cheese icing, they make for a perfect breakfast treat or dessert that everyone will love.
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Why Make This Recipe
These Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls are not just delicious; they are also visually stunning, making them an excellent choice for special occasions. The bright red color and creamy icing will impress your family and friends. Additionally, the soft and sweet rolls are easy to make, making this recipe a fun activity for bakers of all skill levels.
How to Make Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 package (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup warm milk (110°F)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Red food coloring (gel preferred)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for filling)
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (for icing)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for icing)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons milk (optional, to thin icing)
Directions:
Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, mix the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Then add warm milk, melted butter, egg, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and red food coloring. Stir until a dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for about 5 to 7 minutes until smooth. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.
Make the Filling: In a small bowl, mix together softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and granulated sugar until well combined.
Assemble the Rolls: Once the dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle (about 12 by 18 inches). Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough. Roll the dough tightly from the long side into a log. Cut the log into 12 equal slices and place them in a greased 9 by 13-inch baking dish. Cover the rolls with a towel and let them rise for about 30 minutes.
Bake the Rolls: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
Prepare the Cream Cheese Icing: While the rolls are baking, beat together cream cheese, softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk (if using) until smooth and creamy.
Finish the Rolls: Remove the rolls from the oven and let them cool for about 10 minutes. Spread the cream cheese icing generously over the warm rolls before serving.
How to Serve Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing
Serve these Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls warm, drizzled with the creamy icing. They make a great breakfast option or a sweet treat for afternoon tea. Pair them with coffee or hot chocolate for an extra special experience.
How to Store Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing
To store the rolls, place them in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want to keep them fresh for a longer time, you can also refrigerate them. Just reheat them in the microwave for a few seconds before serving.
Tips to Make Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing
- Make sure the milk is warm, not hot, to activate the yeast properly.
- Use gel food coloring for a more vibrant color.
- Don’t skip the second rise; it helps create softer rolls.
- Feel free to add extra cinnamon or chocolate chips for added flavor!
Variation
You can experiment by adding nuts, like pecans or walnuts, to the filling for added crunch. If you want a simpler version, skip the cream cheese icing and dust the rolls with powdered sugar instead.
FAQs
1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough and let it rise, then cover and refrigerate it overnight. Let it come to room temperature before rolling it out.
2. Can I freeze these cinnamon rolls?
Absolutely! You can freeze the uncooked rolls after assembling them. Just make sure to thaw them and let them rise again before baking.
3. What can I use instead of cream cheese in the icing?
You can substitute cream cheese with mascarpone cheese for a different flavor or use a simple powdered sugar icing with milk and vanilla extract.
Enjoy your baking adventure with these Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing!
Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 package (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup warm milk (110°F)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Red food coloring (gel preferred)
For the Filling
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (for filling)
For the Icing
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened for icing
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for icing)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons milk (optional, to thin icing)
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large mixing bowl, mix the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
- Add warm milk, melted butter, egg, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and red food coloring. Stir until a dough forms.
- Knead on a floured surface for about 5 to 7 minutes until smooth.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.
Make the Filling
- In a small bowl, mix together softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and granulated sugar until well combined.
Assemble the Rolls
- Once the dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle (about 12 by 18 inches).
- Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough.
- Roll the dough tightly from the long side into a log.
- Cut the log into 12 equal slices and place them in a greased 9 by 13-inch baking dish.
- Cover the rolls with a towel and let them rise for about 30 minutes.
Bake the Rolls
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake the rolls for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
Prepare the Cream Cheese Icing
- While the rolls are baking, beat together cream cheese, softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk (if using) until smooth and creamy.
Finish the Rolls
- Remove the rolls from the oven and let them cool for about 10 minutes.
- Spread the cream cheese icing generously over the warm rolls before serving.
