Description
These Red Velvet Valentine’s Cinnamon Rolls are the perfect festive treat! Soft, fluffy, and beautifully colored, they’re packed with cinnamon flavor and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting. The red velvet twist adds a subtle cocoa flavor, making them perfect for special occasions or any time you want to indulge in something delicious!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon red gel food coloring
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (optional, for thinning)
Instructions
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Make the Dough:
- In a bowl, mix the warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy.
- Add sugar, melted butter, egg, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, and red food coloring to the yeast mixture. Stir to combine.
- Gradually add flour and salt. Knead the dough for 6-8 minutes, either by hand or using a stand mixer with a dough hook, until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm area for 1-1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.
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Prepare the Filling:
- In a small bowl, mix together softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until well combined.
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Assemble the Rolls:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle (about 12×18 inches).
- Spread the cinnamon-sugar filling evenly over the dough.
- Starting from the long side, tightly roll up the dough into a log. Cut into 12 even slices.
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Bake the Rolls:
- Place the rolls in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Cover and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown.
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Make the Frosting:
- While the rolls are baking, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and beat until creamy. If needed, add 1-2 tablespoons of milk to thin the frosting to your desired consistency.
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Frost and Serve:
- Once the rolls are done baking, let them cool slightly before spreading the cream cheese frosting over the top. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- For a more intense red color, you can add more food coloring.
- These rolls can be made ahead of time. After assembling, store them in the fridge overnight and bake the next day.