Print

Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls | The Perfect Christmas Morning Treat Recipe

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.3 from 3 reviews

These Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls are a festive and delicious twist on classic cinnamon rolls, combining the deep red color and rich flavor of red velvet cake with a warm cinnamon-sugar filling. Perfect for a cozy Christmas morning treat, they feature a soft, cocoa-infused dough, a sweet cinnamon-brown sugar filling, and a smooth vanilla glaze on top.

Ingredients

Dough 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

Filling Ingredients

  • ½ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened

Glaze Ingredients

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk (add more if needed)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Activate Yeast: Warm the milk to about 110°F, then stir in the instant yeast and a teaspoon of sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active and ready to use.
  2. Mix Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, salt, unsweetened cocoa powder, and red food coloring. Add the activated yeast mixture, softened butter, egg, and buttermilk. Mix thoroughly until a soft dough forms.
  3. Knead Dough: If the dough feels too sticky, gradually add extra flour one tablespoon at a time. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for 7 to 8 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
  4. First Rise: Place the kneaded dough into a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
  5. Prepare Filling: While the dough is rising, mix together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, and ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Set aside the softened butter for spreading later.
  6. Roll Out Dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release the air. Roll the dough out on a floured surface into a 12 by 16-inch rectangle. Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture on top.
  7. Shape Rolls: Starting from the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Use a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss to cut the log into 12 equal slices.
  8. Second Rise: Place the slices into a greased 9 by 13-inch baking dish, leaving a small space between each roll. Cover and let them rise again for 30 to 40 minutes until puffy.
  9. Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 20 to 25 minutes until they are golden on top and cooked through. Avoid overbaking to maintain softness.
  10. Make Glaze: Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk for a thinner glaze or more powdered sugar for a thicker one.
  11. Glaze and Serve: Drizzle the warm cinnamon rolls generously with the glaze. Serve immediately while warm and soft for the best experience.

Notes

  • Make sure the milk is warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
  • If the dough is too sticky, add flour gradually to achieve the right consistency.
  • Use unflavored dental floss to cut the dough if you want clean slices without squishing.
  • Let the rolls cool slightly before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting too much.
  • Leftover rolls can be stored in an airtight container and reheated gently in the microwave.
  • Adjust red food coloring to achieve your preferred vibrancy of red velvet color.

Find it online: https://recipefeastful.com/red-velvet-cinnamon-rolls-the-perfect-christmas-morning-treat-recipe/