Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
Delight in the scrumptious red velvet cinnamon rolls, enhanced with a tangy cream cheese frosting. Perfect for brunch or dessert.
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup buttermilk, warmed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons red food coloring
For the Filling
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoons milk to reach desired consistency
Instructions
Preparing the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, combine warmed buttermilk, melted butter, sugar, eggs, cocoa powder, vanilla, baking soda, salt, and red food coloring. Mix until well incorporated.
- Gradually add flour, one cup at a time, mixing until the dough forms a ball that isn’t sticky.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm location for about 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
Preparing the Filling
- In a bowl, mix softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until it forms a paste.
Assembling the Rolls
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out into a rectangle, about 1/2 inch thick.
- Evenly spread the filling over the dough, leaving a small border on all sides.
- Starting from the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Pinch the seams to seal.
- Cut the log into 12 equal slices and place them, cut side up, into a greased baking dish.
- Cover the rolls and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
Baking
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
Making the Cream Cheese Frosting
- In a bowl, beat together softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually mix in powdered sugar and vanilla.
- Add milk to achieve the desired consistency.
- After the rolls have cooled for about 10 minutes, generously spread the cream cheese frosting on top.
Notes
Tips for Perfect Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls: Don’t rush the rise for light and fluffy rolls. Check for even coloring from the food coloring. Experiment with flavors by adding chocolate chips or using flavored cream cheese.