Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing
These Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls are a delightful twist on the classic cinnamon roll, soft and fluffy, bursting with flavor, and topped with creamy 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.
Notes
For best results, 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! To store, place them in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerate.