Description
Deliciously festive Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls featuring a soft, tender dough colored with vibrant red food coloring, filled with a cinnamon-sugar mixture, and topped with a rich cream cheese frosting. Perfect for a sweet breakfast or dessert treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 3½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 packet active dry yeast (2¼ tsp)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup whole milk, warmed
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp red food coloring
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Filling
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2–4 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, active dry yeast, baking powder, and salt until evenly mixed.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the warm whole milk, melted unsalted butter, egg, red food coloring, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smoothly blended.
- Form Dough: Gradually stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until a rough dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 to 7 minutes or until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm area for 1 hour until doubled in size.
- Prepare Filling: In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, packed brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and mini chocolate chips if using. Roll out the risen dough on a floured surface into a large rectangle, spread the filling evenly over the surface.
- Shape Rolls: Starting from one long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log shape. Slice into equal pieces and place them cut-side up in a greased baking dish. Cover and let the rolls rise again for 30 minutes.
- Bake Rolls: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cinnamon rolls for 25 to 30 minutes, or until they are golden and cooked through.
- Make Frosting: While rolls are baking, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 2 to 4 tablespoons of milk, beating until smooth and spreadable.
- Frost and Serve: Allow the buns to cool slightly after baking, then generously spread the cream cheese frosting over each roll. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- For best results, use fresh active dry yeast and ensure milk is warm but not hot to activate yeast properly.
- If you prefer, omit mini chocolate chips for a traditional cinnamon roll experience.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of cinnamon in the filling to suit your taste preference.
- Red food coloring results may vary; gel food coloring can produce a more vibrant red hue compared to liquid.
- The frosting consistency can be adjusted by adding more or less milk to reach your desired spreadability.
- These rolls are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and warmed before serving.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls, cinnamon rolls, cream cheese frosting, breakfast pastry, holiday rolls, sweet rolls
