Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
Soft, rich red velvet cinnamon rolls swirled with cinnamon-sugar filling and topped with silky cream cheese frosting. Bakery-style indulgence made easy at home!
Ingredients
Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
- ¾ cup warm milk
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 –2 tsp red food coloring
- ½ tsp salt
Filling
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3 tbsp softened butter
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 3 tbsp butter softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Activate yeast: In a bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let stand for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Mix wet ingredients: Add sugar, butter, egg, cocoa powder, coloring, and salt. Mix until smooth.
- Add flour: Gradually add flour until a soft dough forms. Knead for 5–7 minutes until elastic.
- Let rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Prepare filling: Roll dough into a rectangle. Spread softened butter evenly. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle over buttered dough.
- Shape rolls: Roll tightly into a log and slice into even rolls.
- Second rise: Arrange rolls in a greased baking dish. Cover and let rise 30 minutes.
- Bake: Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 22–25 minutes until lightly golden.
- Frost: Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Spread over warm rolls.