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To make these soft and mouth-watering red velvet cinnamon rolls, you need: - 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour - ¼ cup granulated sugar - 1 package (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast - ½ teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon baking powder - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 1 tablespoon cocoa powder - ½ cup whole milk, warmed - 1 large egg - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted - 2 tablespoons red food coloring - 1 cup packed brown sugar - 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (for filling) These ingredients work together to create that rich flavor and lovely red color. For the luscious cream cheese frosting, gather: - 1 cup cream cheese, softened - 2 cups powdered sugar - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 2 tablespoons milk This frosting adds a creamy and sweet finish to your rolls. For an extra special touch, consider these optional ingredients: - Additional cream cheese frosting for drizzling - Cocoa powder for dusting - Finely chopped nuts for added crunch These little extras can make your red velvet cinnamon rolls even more delightful! {{ingredient_image_2}} To make the dough, I start by mixing the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, I add 2 ½ cups of flour, ¼ cup of sugar, 2 ¼ teaspoons of yeast, ½ teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder. I whisk them well until they look fluffy. Next, I gather the wet ingredients in another bowl. I whisk together ½ cup of warmed milk, 1 large egg, 2 tablespoons of melted butter, and 2 tablespoons of red food coloring until it looks smooth. I then pour this mixture into the dry mix. I stir gently until a soft dough forms. Now, I lightly flour my surface and knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes. I want it to be smooth and elastic. After that, I put the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour. It should double in size. Once the dough has risen, I gently punch it down to let the air out. I roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle, about 16x12 inches. Then, I spread ½ cup of softened butter evenly over the dough, but I leave a small border around the edges. In a separate bowl, I mix 1 cup of brown sugar with 1 tablespoon of cinnamon. I sprinkle this sweet mix evenly over the buttered surface of the dough. Starting from one long side, I tightly roll the dough into a log. Using a sharp knife or dental floss, I slice the log into 12 equal pieces. I place these rolls in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish, making sure to leave some space between them. I cover them again with a towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes. I preheat my oven to 350°F (175°C). Once it’s ready, I bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes. They should be lightly golden on top when done. While the rolls bake, I prepare the cream cheese frosting. I mix 1 cup of softened cream cheese, 2 cups of powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons of milk in a bowl. I blend it until it’s smooth and creamy. After the rolls cool a bit, I generously frost them with the cream cheese icing. For a fun touch, I might drizzle more frosting on top and add a sprinkle of cocoa powder or nuts. Enjoy your soft and irresistible treat! To get your rolls soft and fluffy, follow these tips: - Use fresh yeast. Old yeast may not rise well. - Warm your milk. This helps the yeast activate and grow. - Knead the dough well. This builds gluten, making rolls airy. - Let it rise in a warm spot. A cozy place helps the dough grow. - Don't rush the rising time. Patience gives you the best texture. Here are some mistakes to skip: - Adding too much flour. This can make rolls dry. - Not allowing the dough to rise fully. This leads to dense rolls. - Overbaking rolls. Keep an eye on them; they should be golden. - Skipping the butter. It adds flavor and moisture to your rolls. For a creamy frosting, here are my secrets: - Use softened cream cheese. It blends better and is smoother. - Mix sugar slowly. This helps avoid lumps in your frosting. - Add milk gradually. Adjust for the perfect consistency. - Include vanilla extract. It adds a warm, sweet flavor. - Frost rolls while warm. This allows the frosting to melt slightly and soak in. Pro Tips Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure that your milk, butter, and egg are at room temperature for better incorporation into the dough, resulting in a softer roll. Don’t Skip the Second Rise: Allowing the rolls to rise a second time enhances their fluffiness and ensures they are light and airy once baked. Check for Doneness: Cinnamon rolls should be lightly golden on top and spring back when gently pressed in the center. If they appear too brown, they may be overbaked. Customize Your Frosting: Feel free to add a pinch of cinnamon or a splash of almond extract to the frosting for an extra flavor twist that complements the rolls beautifully. {{image_4}} You can make these rolls gluten-free with a few changes. Use a good gluten-free flour blend. Make sure it has xanthan gum for structure. Follow the same steps in the recipe. Keep an eye on the baking time. Gluten-free dough can bake faster than regular dough. To go vegan, swap the egg with a flax egg. Mix one tablespoon of ground flaxseed with three tablespoons of water. Let it sit until it thickens. Use plant-based milk instead of whole milk. Replace the butter with vegan butter. The rest of the steps stay the same. Even without dairy, these rolls will taste amazing! You can add fun flavors to your rolls. Try mixing in nuts or chocolate chips. Chopped pecans or walnuts give a great crunch. Chocolate chips add sweetness and richness. Just sprinkle them on the filling before rolling. This makes each bite even more special. Feel free to get creative with flavors! To keep your leftover red velvet cinnamon rolls fresh, place them in an airtight container. This helps to lock in moisture and flavor. You can also wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil for extra protection. Store them at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to keep them longer, the fridge is not the best choice. It can dry them out. Freezing cinnamon rolls is a smart way to save them for later. Allow the rolls to cool completely after baking. Then, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze them for about an hour. Once frozen, transfer the rolls into a freezer-safe bag or container. Make sure to remove as much air as possible. They can stay frozen for up to three months and still taste great! To reheat your cinnamon rolls, you have a couple of easy options. For the best taste, use the oven. Preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the rolls on a baking sheet and cover them with foil. Heat for about 10-15 minutes until warm. If you’re in a hurry, you can use the microwave. Just heat one roll at a time for 15-20 seconds. Add a little cream cheese frosting on top for that extra touch! Red velvet cinnamon rolls come from the classic red velvet cake. The cake gained fame in the 1920s. It has a rich red color and a slight cocoa taste. People loved the soft texture and the cream cheese frosting. Bakers wanted to combine the flavors in new ways. Thus, we have red velvet cinnamon rolls. They mix the best parts of both treats. The result is a soft, sweet roll with a hint of cocoa and a rich frosting. Yes, you can make these rolls ahead of time. Prepare the dough and fill it as usual. After cutting the rolls, place them in the baking dish. Cover them tightly with plastic wrap. You can store them in the fridge overnight. The next morning, let them rise for about 30 minutes. Then, bake them as usual. This makes breakfast or brunch easy and fun. To adjust the sweetness, simply change the amount of powdered sugar. For a sweeter frosting, add more sugar. If you want it less sweet, use less sugar. You can also add a pinch of salt to balance the flavors. This helps mellow the sweetness without losing the creamy texture. Additionally, try using cream cheese with less sugar for a tangier taste. Making red velvet cinnamon rolls is enjoyable and fun. We covered the main ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and helpful tips. You learned how to make fluffy rolls and avoid common mistakes. I also shared tasty variations like gluten-free and vegan options. Plus, I provided storage tips to keep your rolls fresh. Try these rolls for a special brunch or a sweet treat. With practice, you'll get better each time. Enjoy each bite and share these treats with friends. Happy baking!

Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

Deliciously soft and fluffy red velvet cinnamon rolls with a creamy cream cheese frosting.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 0.25 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 package (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
  • 0.5 cups whole milk, warmed
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons red food coloring
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 0.5 cups unsalted butter, softened (for filling)
  • 1 cup cream cheese, softened (for frosting)
  • 2 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • 2 tablespoons milk (for frosting)

Instructions
 

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, instant yeast, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cocoa powder. Whisk these dry ingredients together until they are well combined and fluffy.
  • In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the warmed milk, egg, melted unsalted butter, and red food coloring until the mixture is completely smooth and uniform in color.
  • Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients, stirring gently until a soft dough forms. Lightly flour your surface and knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes until it transforms into a smooth and elastic ball.
  • Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and place it in a warm location. Allow it to rise for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
  • Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release any air bubbles. Roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle measuring approximately 16x12 inches.
  • Spread the softened unsalted butter evenly over the entire surface of the dough, ensuring to leave a small border around the edges for sealing.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine the packed brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Sprinkle this sweet mixture generously over the buttered dough, ensuring even coverage.
  • Starting from one long side, tightly roll the dough into a log shape. Use a sharp knife or dental floss for clean cuts to slice the log into 12 equal pieces.
  • Arrange the cinnamon rolls in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish, leaving some space between each for rising. Cover them with the towel and allow them to rise again for about 30 minutes.
  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once preheated, bake the cinnamon rolls for 25-30 minutes, or until they are lightly golden on top.
  • While the rolls are baking, prepare the cream cheese frosting by combining the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk in a bowl. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
  • Remove the cinnamon rolls from the oven when they are done, and let them cool slightly before generously icing them with the cream cheese frosting.

Notes

For an extra delightful presentation, drizzle additional cream cheese frosting on top and sprinkle with a dusting of cocoa powder or finely chopped nuts!
Keyword cinnamon rolls, dessert, red velvet