Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

Imagine pulling these Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls out of the oven: warm, gooey, and swirled with rich cinnamon goodness. Then, picture the cream cheese glaze melting over the top, drizzling down the soft, fluffy rolls. These beauties are more than just a treat for your taste buds—they’re a feast for the eyes, too! They’ve got the perfect pop of color and a comforting, sweet aroma that’ll make your whole kitchen smell like heaven. Trust me, if you love cinnamon rolls and want to take them to the next level, this is your recipe!

Why You’ll Love Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

These Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls aren’t just any cinnamon rolls—they’re a showstopper! Here’s why they’re going to become your new favorite:

Versatile: These rolls are perfect for cozy weekend breakfasts, special occasions, or even when you’re craving a sweet treat after a long day. They work for any time you want to make something extra special.

Budget-Friendly: While they might look fancy, the ingredients are all things you likely already have in your pantry or fridge. No need for anything too complicated, just simple, accessible ingredients.

Quick and Easy: The process is super easy to follow, and even if you’re a baking beginner, you’ll feel confident and excited. These rolls come together beautifully without too much effort.

Customizable: You can tweak the filling to your liking! Want to make them extra indulgent? Add chocolate chips or a sprinkle of chopped nuts. You can easily make these rolls your own.

Crowd-Pleasing: Red velvet isn’t just for cake—it’s the perfect spin on classic cinnamon rolls. Whether you’re serving them for brunch, a holiday, or just because, these rolls will wow your family, friends, or guests.

Ingredients

Let’s break down the ingredients you’ll need for these indulgent, fluffy, and mouthwatering rolls:

Flour: All-purpose flour gives these rolls their soft, pillowy texture. It’s the perfect base for these dreamy red velvet rolls.

Baking Powder: This helps the dough rise and become light and fluffy, ensuring each bite is tender and delicious.

Sugar: We add a little sugar to the dough to give it a slight sweetness that pairs beautifully with the cinnamon filling.

Cocoa Powder: The cocoa powder gives the rolls that rich, red velvet flavor. It’s not too overpowering, just the perfect touch for a subtle chocolatey taste.

Salt: Just a pinch of salt helps balance the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.

Buttermilk: Buttermilk adds richness and moisture to the dough, making it incredibly tender and soft. Plus, it reacts with the baking soda to help the dough rise beautifully.

Eggs: Eggs bring structure and moisture to the dough, ensuring your rolls hold together nicely.

Butter: Softened butter is key for both the dough and the filling. It helps create that melt-in-your-mouth texture while adding flavor.

Red Food Coloring: The signature red color comes from the food coloring. It gives these rolls that beautiful red velvet look that will wow everyone.

Cinnamon: The cinnamon filling is what gives these rolls their irresistible, warm flavor. It’s what takes them from good to amazing.

Brown Sugar: The brown sugar adds extra richness and depth to the cinnamon filling, creating that sticky, gooey swirl in the middle of each roll.

Cream Cheese: The glaze is what brings everything together. Cream cheese in the glaze makes it perfectly creamy and tangy, balancing out the sweetness of the rolls.

(Note: The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

Instructions

Here’s how to make these irresistible Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls:

Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). You want it nice and hot when the rolls go in to get that perfect golden crust.

Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder. Add the buttermilk, egg, butter, and a few drops of red food coloring. Mix until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. If it’s too sticky, add a little extra flour.

Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a rectangle. You want it to be about 1/4 inch thick—this will give you those beautiful, fluffy layers once they bake.

Make the Cinnamon Filling: In a small bowl, combine cinnamon, brown sugar, and softened butter. Spread the cinnamon butter mixture evenly over the rolled-out dough. Be generous—this filling is what makes each bite so deliciously sweet and spiced.

Roll and Cut: Roll the dough up tightly from one edge to the other, creating a long log. Slice it into 12 even pieces, placing each roll in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.

Bake the Rolls: Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and puffed up. The kitchen should smell amazing by now—just wait until you taste them!

Prepare the Cream Cheese Glaze: While the rolls bake, whisk together softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and a splash of vanilla extract until smooth. Add a little milk if needed to reach your desired glaze consistency.

Glaze the Rolls: Once the rolls are done baking, let them cool for about 5 minutes. Then, drizzle the cream cheese glaze over the top. Get generous with that glaze—because who doesn’t want more cream cheese goodness?

Serve and Enjoy: Serve these beauties warm, and prepare for the compliments to roll in!

Nutrition Facts

Servings: 12
Calories per serving: 310

Preparation Time

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

How to Serve Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

These rolls are perfect on their own, but here are some ways to serve them and make them even more amazing:

With a Hot Beverage: These cinnamon rolls pair perfectly with a warm cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or tea. The warmth of the drink and the cinnamon rolls just complete each other.

As Part of a Brunch Spread: Serve them alongside fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, and bacon for a delightful brunch experience that’ll impress your guests.

Top with More Glaze: You can never have too much glaze! Serve with a little extra cream cheese glaze on the side for dipping.

Ice Cream: For a decadent dessert, top a warm cinnamon roll with a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream. Pure heaven!

Additional Tips

Here are some extra tips for making your Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls even better:

Make the Dough the Night Before: To save time, prepare the dough the night before and let it rise in the fridge overnight. In the morning, just roll it out, slice, and bake!

Keep the Rolls Soft: To ensure they stay soft, store them in an airtight container once they’ve cooled. Reheat them in the microwave for a few seconds to bring back that fresh-from-the-oven softness.

Add Chocolate Chips: For an extra indulgent twist, sprinkle some chocolate chips into the cinnamon filling. It’s a chocolate lover’s dream!

Use Half-and-Half: If you don’t have buttermilk, you can use half-and-half or regular milk with a splash of vinegar or lemon juice as a substitute.

Make Mini Cinnamon Rolls: For bite-sized treats, you can slice the dough into smaller pieces and bake them in a muffin tin for cute mini rolls.

FAQ Section

Q1: Can I use a different type of food coloring?
A1: Yes, you can use a gel or liquid food coloring. Just make sure to adjust the amount to achieve the vibrant red color.

Q2: Can I freeze these cinnamon rolls?
A2: Absolutely! You can freeze the unbaked rolls before baking. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and when you’re ready to bake, let them thaw and rise before popping them in the oven.

Q3: Can I substitute the buttermilk?
A3: If you don’t have buttermilk, you can use milk with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to make a quick substitute.

Q4: How do I store leftovers?
A4: Store any leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can also refrigerate them for longer freshness.

Q5: Can I make the glaze ahead of time?
A5: Yes! You can make the glaze the night before and store it in the fridge. Just bring it to room temperature before using.

Q6: Can I double the recipe?
A6: Yes, you can double the recipe if you’re feeding a crowd! Just make sure to use a larger pan or bake in batches.

Q7: How do I get perfect slices of dough?
A7: Use a serrated knife or unflavored dental floss to cut the rolls. It’ll help you get clean, even slices without squishing them.

Q8: Can I add nuts to the cinnamon rolls?
A8: Absolutely! Walnuts, pecans, or almonds would add a lovely crunch to the filling or topping.

Q9: Can I make these rolls without the cream cheese glaze?
A9: While the glaze really makes these rolls special, you could swap it for a simple powdered sugar glaze or even enjoy them plain if you prefer.

Q10: Can I make these rolls without the red coloring?
A10: Of course! The red velvet flavor comes from the cocoa powder, so you can skip the food coloring if you want a more traditional cinnamon roll.

Conclusion

These Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls are a true treat for the senses. With a soft, fluffy interior, a rich cinnamon filling, and a sweet cream cheese glaze, they’re the ultimate indulgence for any occasion. Whether you’re serving them for a cozy breakfast or a special gathering, these rolls will absolutely steal the show. Trust me, once you try them, you’ll be hooked. Get baking, and enjoy every last bite!

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