Description
These red velvet cinnamon rolls combine the best of both worlds—rich cocoa-infused dough with a sweet cinnamon filling and a luscious cream cheese glaze. They’re soft, decadent, and perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Red Velvet Dough:
- 3/4 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons red food coloring
For the Cinnamon Filling:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
For the Cream Cheese Glaze:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (to thin, if needed)
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Dough
- In a small bowl, mix warm milk and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together sugar, egg, egg yolk, melted butter, vanilla, and red food coloring.
- Add the yeast mixture and stir.
- Gradually add flour, cocoa powder, and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Step 2: Make the Cinnamon Filling
- In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, and cinnamon.
- Spread softened butter evenly over the rolled-out dough, then sprinkle the sugar mixture on top.
Step 3: Roll and Cut
- Roll out the dough into a 12×15-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface.
- Tightly roll from the long side to form a log.
- Cut into 9-12 equal rolls and place them in a greased baking dish.
- Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
Step 4: Bake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake rolls for 20-25 minutes, or until golden and cooked through.
Step 5: Make the Cream Cheese Glaze
- In a bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
- Add milk as needed to reach a pourable consistency.
Step 6: Glaze & Serve
- Drizzle warm rolls with cream cheese glaze and serve immediately!
Notes
- For a darker red, add an extra teaspoon of food coloring.
- Make-ahead option: Let the rolls rise overnight in the fridge, then bake in the morning.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.