Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls
Soft, fluffy, and beautifully vibrant, Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls are a delicious twist on the classic cinnamon roll recipe. These homemade rolls feature tender red velvet dough swirled with a rich cinnamon sugar filling and topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting that melts into every layer. Their eye catching color makes them perfect for Valentine’s Day, Christmas, birthdays, brunches, or any special occasion when you want a dessert that is both beautiful and irresistible.
These cinnamon rolls combine the mild cocoa flavor of traditional red velvet cake with the warm sweetness of classic cinnamon rolls. Every bite is soft, buttery, and filled with comforting flavors that everyone loves. Whether you are baking for family, friends, or holiday guests, this recipe creates bakery style cinnamon rolls that look impressive while remaining surprisingly easy to make at home.
Ingredients List
- 4 cups all purpose flour
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon red gel food coloring
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Serving Prep Time Cooking Time Calories
Servings: 12 rolls
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Rise Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
Calories: Approximately 430 calories per serving
Why You Will Love This Recipe
These Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls are incredibly soft, fluffy, and filled with warm cinnamon flavor. The beautiful red dough makes them perfect for holidays and celebrations, while the creamy frosting adds the perfect finishing touch. They can be prepared ahead of time, making busy mornings much easier. The recipe uses simple ingredients, creates bakery quality results, and fills your kitchen with an amazing homemade aroma while baking.
Step By Step Instructions
In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Allow the mixture to sit for about five to ten minutes until foamy.
Add the melted butter, egg, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, red food coloring, salt, and flour. Mix until a soft dough forms.
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about eight to ten minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and allow it to rise for one hour or until doubled in size.
Roll the dough into a large rectangle. Spread the softened butter evenly over the surface. Sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon evenly across the butter.
Roll the dough tightly into a log and cut into twelve equal pieces. Arrange the rolls in a greased baking dish. Cover and allow them to rise for another thirty minutes.
Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about twenty five minutes or until lightly golden and cooked through.
While the rolls cool slightly, beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Spread the frosting generously over the warm cinnamon rolls and serve immediately.
Variations To Try
Add mini chocolate chips to the filling for extra richness. Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the cinnamon sugar filling for a crunchy texture. Mix orange zest into the frosting for a refreshing citrus flavor. Add white chocolate chips to the dough for a sweeter twist. Decorate the frosted rolls with red velvet cake crumbs or festive sprinkles for holidays and celebrations.
Freezing Or Restoring
These cinnamon rolls freeze very well. Freeze baked rolls without frosting in an airtight container for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm before adding fresh frosting. Unbaked rolls can also be refrigerated overnight after shaping, allowing you to bake fresh rolls the next morning. Leftover frosted rolls should be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days and reheated gently before serving.
Recipe Notes
Use gel food coloring for a deeper and more vibrant red color. Make sure the milk is warm rather than hot so the yeast activates properly. Avoid adding too much flour, as this can make the rolls dense instead of soft. Frost the cinnamon rolls while they are still warm so the icing melts beautifully into every swirl. Fresh yeast and room temperature ingredients help create the softest texture.
Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls
12
servings30
minutes25
minutes430
kcalIngredients
4 cups all purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
1 cup warm milk
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg, room temperature
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon red gel food coloring
1 teaspoon salt
For the Cinnamon Filling
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
- In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, granulated sugar, and yeast. Let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
- Add the melted butter, egg, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, red gel food coloring, salt, and flour. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Roll the dough into a 14 × 18 inch rectangle.
- Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle with the brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Roll the dough tightly into a log and cut into 12 equal rolls.
- Arrange the rolls in a greased 9 × 13 inch baking dish. Cover and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake the rolls for 25 minutes, or until lightly golden and cooked through.
- While the rolls cool slightly, beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Spread the frosting generously over the warm cinnamon rolls.
- Serve warm and enjoy.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Use gel food coloring for the most vibrant red color.
Make sure the milk is warm, not hot, to properly activate the yeast.
Do not add too much flour, or the rolls may become dense.
Frost the cinnamon rolls while they are still warm so the icing melts into every swirl.
Prepare the rolls the night before and refrigerate them after shaping for a fresh baked breakfast.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freeze unfrosted cinnamon rolls for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight, warm gently, and frost before serving.
For extra indulgence, sprinkle the frosted rolls with red velvet cake crumbs, white chocolate shavings, or festive sprinkles before serving.
FAQs
Can I make Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare and shape the rolls the night before, refrigerate them overnight, and bake them fresh the next morning.
Can I use liquid food coloring?
Yes, but gel food coloring produces a richer red color without adding excess liquid.
Why did my cinnamon rolls turn out dense?
Adding too much flour or not allowing enough rising time can make the dough dense.
Can I freeze the frosted cinnamon rolls?
Yes, although the frosting may soften after thawing. For the best results, freeze the rolls without frosting and frost after reheating.
What can I serve with Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls?
Serve them with fresh berries, scrambled eggs, coffee, hot chocolate, or a fruit salad for a complete breakfast or brunch.
Conclusion
These Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls are the perfect combination of soft homemade dough, rich cinnamon filling, and creamy cream cheese frosting. Their vibrant color and delicious flavor make them an excellent choice for holidays, birthdays, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, brunches, and special celebrations. Easy to prepare and guaranteed to impress, this recipe is one you will want to bake again and again for family and friends.
