Description
Indulgent red velvet cinnamon rolls merge classic Southern charm with decadent dessert magic. Rich crimson swirls and cream cheese frosting promise a luxurious breakfast experience that delights your senses with each warm, spiced bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 ml) warm milk
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- 4 cups (500 grams) all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup (57 grams) melted unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Filling Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup (220 grams) brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
Frosting Ingredients:
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese (softened)
- 1/4 cup (57 grams) unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 cups (240 grams) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Activate yeast by dissolving it in warm milk (110°F) and allow to bloom for 7-8 minutes until foamy and fragrant.
- Incorporate sugar, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract into the yeast mixture, whisking thoroughly to create a homogeneous liquid base.
- Sift together flour, cocoa powder, and salt in a separate container, then gradually fold into the wet ingredients, creating a cohesive dough.
- Introduce red food coloring and transfer dough to a floured surface, kneading vigorously for 6-7 minutes until achieving a smooth, elastic consistency.
- Transfer dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and allow to rise in a draft-free area for 90 minutes until volume doubles.
- Prepare filling by blending softened butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon until creating a uniform, spreadable mixture.
- Roll out dough into a rectangular shape approximately 16×12 inches, ensuring an even thickness across the surface.
- Distribute filling evenly across the dough, leaving a small margin around the edges to prevent spillage during rolling.
- Tightly roll the dough from the longer side, creating a compact log, then slice into 12 equal portions using a sharp knife.
- Arrange rolls in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, allowing slight spacing between each piece, and let rise for 40 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F and bake rolls for 22-25 minutes until golden brown and center rolls appear fully cooked.
- Whip cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy, gradually adding powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk to create a smooth frosting.
- Allow rolls to cool for 10 minutes before generously spreading cream cheese frosting across the surface.
- Serve immediately while warm for optimal flavor and texture.
Notes
- Ensure milk is warm (not hot) to prevent killing the yeast, which can make rolls dense and heavy.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant red without diluting dough’s consistency and achieve that signature red velvet look.
- Swap wheat flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend and add xanthan gum for better texture and structure.
- Allow eggs, butter, and cream cheese to sit at room temperature for smoother mixing and better incorporation.
- Prep Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 274 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 142 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 49 mg