Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls: A Dessert Dream Come True

Ready to level up your weekend baking game? These Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls happen when your favorite decadent cake meets the gooey, swirly comfort of a classic cinnamon roll recipe. They’re bold, indulgent, and dressed to impress with a generous layer of cream cheese frosting that’s practically a dessert in itself.

Why You’ll Love These Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

Think soft, fluffy dough with that unmistakable red velvet flair, swirled with a rich cinnamon-brown sugar filling and (optionally) studded with melty mini chocolate chips. Top it off with a dreamy layer of tangy-sweet cream cheese frosting, and you’ve got the ultimate red velvet dessert. These rolls are perfect for brunches, birthdays, or any day you feel like treating yourself, because why not?

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 450 g all-purpose flour (3½ cups)
• 50 g granulated sugar (¼ cup)
• 1 packet (2¼ tsp) active dry yeast
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 240 ml whole milk, warmed (1 cup)
• 60 g unsalted butter, melted (¼ cup)
• 1 large egg
• 30 ml red food coloring (2 tbsp)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Filling:

• 115 g unsalted butter, softened (½ cup)
• 165 g brown sugar, packed (¾ cup)
• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 85 g mini chocolate chips (optional, ½ cup)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 225 g cream cheese, softened (8 oz)
• 115 g unsalted butter, softened (½ cup)
• 480 g powdered sugar (4 cups)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 30–60 ml milk (2–4 tbsp)

How to Make Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

1. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine 260 g (2 cups) of flour, sugar, yeast, baking powder, and salt.
2. Make the Wet Mixture: In a separate bowl, mix the warm milk, melted butter, egg, red food coloring, and vanilla.
3. From the Dough: Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients. Stir in the remaining flour to form a soft dough.
4. Knead & Rise: Transfer dough to a floured surface and knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour until doubled.
5. Prepare the Filling: Mix softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. (Add chocolate chips if using.)
6. Shape the Rolls: Roll the dough into a 12×18-inch rectangle. Spread filling evenly, roll tightly, and slice into 12 rolls.
7. Second Rise: Place rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, cover, and let rise again for 30 minutes.
8. Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 25–30 minutes until golden and set.
9. Frost: While rolls cool slightly, beat together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until fluffy. Spread over warm rolls.

Olivia’s Tips for Gooey Roll Success

• Make sure your milk is warm, not hot—too hot and you might anger the yeast!
• Use floss to slice the rolls cleanly without smashing the spiral.
• Want extra gooeyness? Pour a few tablespoons of warm milk over the rolls before baking.

A Personal Bite

I first baked these beauties on Valentine’s Day, and let me tell you—they stole more hearts than the chocolate truffles I made. They’ve since become my family’s official “just because” treat, especially when we need a little cozy joy with our coffee. Bonus points: they make your kitchen smell like heaven.

Perfect Pairings

Serve these rolls with a tall glass of cold milk, a hot cup of coffee, or even a sparkling mimosa for brunch. They’re fabulous on their own, but you can also turn them into a full spread with eggs, fruit salad, and bacon.

How to Store Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

Cover and refrigerate any leftovers for up to 3 days. Warm in the microwave for 15-20 seconds before eating. You can also freeze unfrosted rolls and thaw overnight in the fridge, then frost and heat before serving.

FAQs

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes! Assemble the rolls, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Let them come to room temperature before baking.

Can I use instant yeast?

Absolutely. Skip the first rise and proceed directly to shaping after kneading.

Is it okay to leave out the food coloring?

Sure! They’ll still be delicious, just not red.

Make Room in Your Recipe Box

These Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls are a cinnamon roll recipe worth remembering. They combine everything we love about comfort baking with a colorful twist and indulgent flavor. If you’re into bold breakfasts or memorable red velvet desserts, this one’s got your name all over it.

Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls: A Dessert Dream Come True

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• Author: Olivia Hartwellen
• Total Time: 2 hours (including rise time)
• Yield: 12 rolls 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls are a rich, indulgent twist on the classic cinnamon roll—featuring red velvet dough, a buttery cinnamon-sugar filling, optional mini chocolate chips, and a luscious cream cheese frosting. These rolls are soft, gooey, and full of flavor—perfect for brunch, holidays, or an indulgent treat.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Dough:

• 450 g all-purpose flour (3½ cups)

• 50 g granulated sugar (¼ cup)

• 1 packet (2¼ tsp) active dry yeast

• 1 tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp salt

• 240 ml whole milk, warmed (1 cup)

• 60 g unsalted butter, melted (¼ cup)

• 1 large egg

• 30 ml red food coloring (2 tbsp)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Filling:

• 115 g unsalted butter, softened (½ cup)

• 165 g brown sugar, packed (¾ cup)

• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon

• 85 g mini chocolate chips (optional, ½ cup)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 225 g cream cheese, softened (8 oz)

• 115 g unsalted butter, softened (½ cup)

• 480 g powdered sugar (4 cups)

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 30–60 ml milk (2–4 tbsp)

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Instructions

• In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups flour, sugar, yeast, baking powder, and salt.

• In another bowl, mix warm milk, melted butter, egg, red food coloring, and vanilla.

• Combine wet and dry mixtures, then gradually stir in remaining flour to form a soft dough.

• Knead dough on a floured surface for 5–7 minutes. Transfer to a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour.

• Make the filling by mixing softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir in chocolate chips if using.

• Roll dough into a 12×18-inch rectangle. Spread filling over dough, roll tightly, and cut into 12 rolls.

• Place rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise for another 30 minutes.

• Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25–30 minutes until golden.

• While slightly cooling, beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until fluffy. Spread over warm rolls.

Notes

Use floss to cut rolls cleanly and keep their spiral shape.

Warm milk (not hot) helps activate the yeast without killing it.

For ultra gooey rolls, pour 2–3 tbsp of warm milk over the rolls before baking.

You can prep these the night before and bake the next morning.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dessert / Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Baking