Soft, Swirled, and Frosted with Cream Cheese Bliss
Description
Get ready to fall in love with your new favorite brunch or dessert: Heavenly Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls. These luxurious, pillowy-soft rolls take the classic cinnamon roll to a decadent new level. Infused with cocoa and a hint of red velvet richness, they’re swirled with brown sugar and cinnamon and topped with a tangy-sweet cream cheese frosting that melts right into the warm rolls.
They’re romantic enough for Valentine’s Day, indulgent enough for holidays, and downright dreamy for weekends when you want to treat yourself. Whether you’re baking for guests or spoiling yourself with a morning masterpiece, these cinnamon rolls bring the flavor and the wow factor.
Ingredients (U.S. Standard Measurements)
For the Dough
- 1 cup whole milk, warmed (about 110°F)
- 2¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3½ – 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons red food coloring (liquid or gel)
For the Filling
- ⅔ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (as needed for consistency)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of the sugar. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Add the remaining sugar, eggs, melted butter, cocoa powder, food coloring, and salt. Mix to combine.
- Gradually add flour, 1 cup at a time, until a soft dough forms.
- Knead by hand (10 minutes) or in a mixer with a dough hook (5–7 minutes) until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1–1½ hours, or until doubled in size.
2. Roll and Fill
- Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.
- Roll into a 16×12-inch rectangle.
- Spread softened butter over the dough, then sprinkle evenly with brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Starting from the long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log. Slice into 12 even rolls.
3. Second Rise
- Place rolls into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cover and let rise again for 30–45 minutes, until puffy.
4. Bake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake for 22–26 minutes, or until tops are slightly golden and centers are cooked through.
- Let rolls cool slightly before frosting.
5. Make the Frosting
- Beat cream cheese and butter until creamy.
- Add powdered sugar and vanilla; beat until smooth.
- Add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
- Spread over warm rolls and serve!
Nutrition Facts (Per Roll, based on 12 rolls)
- Calories: 380
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Sugar: 28g
- Protein: 6g
- Sodium: 230mg
Tips & Tricks
- Use bread flour for a slightly chewier texture (optional but effective).
- Don’t rush the rise — soft dough = fluffy rolls!
- Gel food coloring yields a more vibrant red hue.
- Make ahead: Assemble the night before, refrigerate, and bake fresh in the morning.
- Extra indulgent? Add mini chocolate chips to the filling.
Something Extra from Me
Want to take these over the top? Try adding a swirl of cream cheese or cheesecake filling inside the dough before rolling. It creates a double-creamy center that melts with the cinnamon sugar.
Or top the rolls with a dusting of crushed freeze-dried strawberries after frosting for a stunning red velvet & strawberry twist.
Feeling fancy? Serve with a warm vanilla bean sauce or drizzle with white chocolate.
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