Name: Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 2 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 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; ½ cup brown sugar, packed; 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons milk (add more if needed); ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Ingredients

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

½ cup brown sugar, packed

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

¼ cup unsalted butter, softened (for filling)

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons milk (add more if needed)

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 1: Warm the milk to about 110°F, then stir in the yeast and one teaspoon of sugar. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active and ready to leaven the dough.

Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, salt, cocoa powder, and red food coloring. Add the yeast mixture, softened butter, egg, and buttermilk. Mix until a soft dough forms.

Step 3: If the dough is too sticky, add an extra tablespoon of flour at a time. Knead on a lightly floured surface for 7–8 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Step 4: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Step 5: While the dough rises, mix brown sugar, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Have softened butter ready for spreading.

Step 6: After rising, punch down the dough gently. Roll it out on a floured surface into a 12×16 inch rectangle.

Step 7: Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture uniformly on top.

Step 8: Starting from the long side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Cut the log into 12 equal slices using a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss.

Step 9: Arrange the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, leaving slight spaces between each. Cover and let rise for 30-40 minutes until puffy and nearly doubled.

Step 10: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes until golden on top but still soft.

Step 11: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust thickness by adding milk or powdered sugar as needed.

Step 12: Drizzle the warm rolls generously with glaze. Serve immediately for the best flavor and softness.

Tips & Variations

For deeper red color, add more red food coloring gradually until desired shade is reached.

Use room temperature ingredients to help the dough rise evenly.

Try substituting buttermilk with yogurt or milk plus a teaspoon of lemon juice if unavailable.

For a cream cheese glaze, replace vanilla extract in the glaze with 2 ounces of softened cream cheese.

Storage

Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, warm individual rolls in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or bake at 300°F (150°C) for 10 minutes, then drizzle with fresh glaze if desired.

FAQs

Can I make the dough the night before?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and let it rise once, then refrigerate overnight. Bring it to room temperature before shaping and proceeding with the second rise and baking.

What if I don’t have red food coloring?

Red food coloring is key to achieving the classic red velvet look, but you can omit it for a subtle cinnamon cocoa roll or use natural alternatives like beet juice for color, keeping in mind it may alter the flavor slightly.