Description

These Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls combine the rich flavor of cocoa and a vibrant red hue with the warm sweetness of cinnamon filling, topped with a creamy vanilla cream cheese frosting. Perfect for a special breakfast or dessert treat, these rolls are soft, fluffy, and irresistibly delicious.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough:

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

For the Cinnamon Filling:

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

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

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

Prepare the Dough: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, yeast, and salt. In another bowl, combine warm milk, melted butter, egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Make the Filling: In a small bowl, mix softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until well combined.
Assemble the Rolls: Roll out the dough into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick. Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough. Roll the dough tightly from one end to the other and slice into 12 even rolls. Place the rolls in a greased baking dish and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 20–25 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
Make the Frosting & Serve: Beat together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth and creamy. Spread the frosting over the warm rolls and serve immediately for best flavor.

Notes

Use warm milk (110°F) to activate the yeast properly.
Don’t over-knead the dough—stop once it’s smooth and slightly tacky to maintain softness.
Letting the rolls rise twice ensures extra fluffy and tender cinnamon rolls.
Slice rolls evenly to ensure uniform baking.
Spread the cream cheese frosting over warm rolls to allow it to melt slightly and enhance flavor.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Red velvet cinnamon rolls, cinnamon rolls recipe, cream cheese frosting, breakfast rolls, red velvet dessert