Here’s a rich and indulgent recipe for Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls with a classic cream cheese glaze. They’re perfect for a special breakfast or dessert!
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder (for the red velvet color)
- ⅔ cup whole milk, warmed
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Filling:
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
For the Cream Cheese Glaze:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-3 tablespoons milk (to thin the glaze)
Directions:
1. Make the Dough:
- In a small bowl, mix the warmed milk and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and cocoa powder.
- Add the melted butter, egg, vanilla extract, red food coloring, and the frothy yeast mixture to the dry ingredients.
- Mix until the dough comes together, then knead on a lightly floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
2. Prepare the Filling:
- Mix the softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cocoa powder in a small bowl until well combined.
3. Assemble the Rolls:
- After the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out into a large rectangle, about 12×18 inches.
- Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough, making sure to cover the entire surface.
- Roll the dough tightly from the long side, then slice into 12 even rolls.
4. Bake the Cinnamon Rolls:
- Place the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cover and let the rolls rise again for about 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes, or until lightly golden on top.
5. Make the Cream Cheese Glaze:
- In a bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk. Mix until smooth and creamy. Add more milk if you prefer a thinner glaze.
6. Glaze and Serve:
- Once the cinnamon rolls are out of the oven, let them cool for about 10 minutes.
- Drizzle the cream cheese glaze over the warm rolls and serve.
Enjoy these decadent Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls with their beautiful color and rich flavors! Perfect for holidays, special breakfasts, or anytime you want to indulge!
