Description
Soft, rich, and festive, these Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls are a stunning twist on a classic favorite. With cocoa-infused red dough, a sweet cinnamon filling, and a vanilla sugar glaze, they’re the perfect Christmas morning treat.
Ingredients
- For the Dough:
- 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast
- ¾ cup warm milk (about 110°F)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons red food coloring (or more as desired for color)
- 1 tablespoon buttermilk
- For the Filling:
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- For the Sugar Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk (add more if needed)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Warm the milk to about 110°F, then add the yeast and a teaspoon of sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, cocoa powder, and red food coloring. Add in the yeast mixture, softened butter, egg, and buttermilk. Mix until a soft dough forms.
3. If the dough feels too sticky, add an extra tablespoon of flour at a time. Knead the dough for 7–8 minutes on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
5. While the dough rises, mix the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, and cinnamon together in a small bowl. Set aside the softened butter for spreading.
6. Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release air. Roll it out into a rectangle about 12×16 inches on a floured surface. Spread the softened butter evenly across the dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar filling mixture over the top.
7. Starting from the long side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Use a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss to cut it into 12 equal slices.
8. Arrange the slices in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, leaving a little space between each roll. Cover and let them rise again for 30–40 minutes until puffy.
9. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 20–25 minutes until golden on top and cooked through.
10. Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust consistency as needed.
11. Drizzle the warm rolls generously with the sugar glaze. Serve immediately while warm and soft.
Notes
If you want deeper red color, feel free to increase the red food coloring slightly.
Be careful not to overbake the rolls to maintain their soft texture.
These can be made a day ahead and warmed slightly before serving.
Add cream cheese to the glaze for a tangier finish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 40mg