Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

The smell of warm cinnamon and cocoa fills the kitchen every time I bake these.
These Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls are soft, fluffy, and covered in creamy frosting that melts right in.

I made them one weekend morning for my family, and everyone kept asking for more.
They taste like a sweet hug—rich, cozy, and just a little fancy.

If you love red velvet and cinnamon together, you’re going to adore this recipe.
Let’s roll them up and make your kitchen smell like pure happiness.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Beautiful and Delicious: The deep red color makes these rolls perfect for special occasions.
• Cream Cheese Frosting: Sweet and tangy frosting complements the soft rolls perfectly.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare the night before and bake fresh in the morning.
• Softer Than Regular Cinnamon Rolls: The cocoa and milk powder create an extra tender texture.
• Great for Sharing: Makes 12 generous rolls perfect for family gatherings.

What You Need to Know Before You Start

Prep Time & Cook Time:

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Rising Time: 2 hours
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: About 3 hours

Servings: This recipe makes 12 large cinnamon rolls. Perfect for serving 6-12 people depending on appetite.

Difficulty: Intermediate. Requires some experience with yeast dough, but the steps are simple to follow.

Required Kitchen Tools

• Stand mixer with dough hook (or large mixing bowl)
• Rolling pin
• 9×13 inch baking pan
• Small saucepan
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Clean kitchen towel
• Offset spatula or butter knife for frosting

Ingredients for Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

These rolls combine rich cocoa flavor with a hint of sweetness and that signature red velvet color. Here’s everything you’ll need:

For the Dough:

• Active Dry Yeast: Helps the dough rise and become fluffy.
• Granulated Sugar: Feeds the yeast and adds sweetness to the dough.
• Whole Milk: Creates a rich, tender dough. Warm it to about 110 degrees.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds flavor and keeps the rolls soft.
• Eggs: Provide structure and richness to the dough.
• All-Purpose Flour: The base of your dough.
• Dutch-Process Cocoa Powder: Gives the red velvet flavor and deeper color.
• Nonfat Milk Powder: Makes the rolls extra soft and tender.
• Kosher Salt: Balances the sweetness.
• Red Food Coloring: Creates the signature red velvet color.

For the Filling:

• Unsalted Butter: Softened for easy spreading.
• Dark Brown Sugar: Adds deep, caramel-like sweetness.
• Ground Cinnamon: The classic cinnamon roll flavor.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• Cream Cheese: Softened to room temperature for smooth frosting.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness to the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
• Vanilla Bean Paste: Adds wonderful flavor (vanilla extract works too).

Variations for Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

• Add Chocolate Chips: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips over the filling before rolling.
• Use Different Food Coloring: Try pink for Valentine’s Day or skip it for chocolate cinnamon rolls.
• Add Cream Cheese to Filling: Mix softened cream cheese with the cinnamon filling for extra tang.
• Make Mini Rolls: Cut into 18 smaller pieces and reduce baking time by 5 minutes.
• Add Pecans or Walnuts: Sprinkle chopped nuts over the filling for crunch.

How to Make Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Activate the Yeast

Warm the milk to about 110 degrees. Mix it with yeast and a tablespoon of sugar in your mixing bowl. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy. This shows your yeast is alive and ready.

2. Make the Dough

Add melted butter, eggs, remaining sugar, cocoa powder, milk powder, salt, and red food coloring to the yeast mixture. Mix until combined. Slowly add flour, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed. Knead with the dough hook for 5-7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. The dough should be slightly sticky but pull away from the bowl sides.

3. First Rise

Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour until it doubles in size.

4. Prepare the Filling

While the dough rises, mix softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl until well combined. Set aside.

5. Roll Out the Dough

Punch down the risen dough to release air. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a large rectangle about 16×12 inches. The dough should be about a quarter inch thick.

6. Add the Filling

Spread the cinnamon butter mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a half-inch border on one long edge. This helps seal the roll.

7. Roll and Cut

Starting from the long edge with filling, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seam to seal. Use a sharp knife or dental floss to cut the log into 12 equal pieces.

8. Second Rise

Place the rolls in a greased 9×13 inch pan with cut sides up. Cover and let them rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour until puffy and touching each other.

9. Bake the Rolls

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Bake the rolls for 23-27 minutes until they are set in the center. The tops should spring back lightly when touched. Do not overbake.

10. Make the Frosting

While the rolls bake, beat softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar one cup at a time, beating well. Mix in vanilla bean paste until the frosting is fluffy.

11. Frost the Rolls

Let the rolls cool for about 10 minutes, then spread the cream cheese frosting generously over the warm rolls. The warmth will help the frosting melt slightly into the rolls.

Serving and Decoration

Serve these red velvet cinnamon rolls warm for the best experience. The cream cheese frosting should be slightly melted and gooey. For special occasions, add extra sprinkles or drizzle with white chocolate. These rolls are beautiful on a serving platter for brunch or dessert.

How to Serve Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

These rolls are perfect for:

• Holiday Breakfast: Serve on Christmas morning or Valentine’s Day with hot coffee.
• Brunch Gatherings: A stunning centerpiece for any brunch table.
• Birthday Treats: Better than cake for breakfast birthday celebrations.
• With Coffee or Tea: The cream cheese frosting pairs wonderfully with hot beverages.
• Dessert Option: Warm them slightly and serve with vanilla ice cream.

Storing Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

• Room Temperature: Cover and store for up to 2 days. The frosting keeps them moist.
• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Warm before serving.
• Freezer: Freeze unfrosted rolls for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and warm before frosting.
• Make-Ahead: Prepare rolls through step 8, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.

Tips and Tricks for Success

• Check Milk Temperature: Too hot will kill the yeast. Too cold will not activate it. Use a thermometer for 110 degrees.
• Knead Properly: The dough should be smooth and elastic. This creates soft, fluffy rolls.
• Use Gel Food Coloring: Gel food coloring gives better color without adding extra liquid to the dough.
• Do Not Overbake: Remove rolls when they are just set. They continue cooking slightly as they cool.
• Soften Ingredients: Room temperature cream cheese and butter make smoother frosting with no lumps.
• Use Dental Floss to Cut: Slide unflavored dental floss under the log, cross the ends, and pull to cut clean slices without squishing.
• Warm Rising Spot: Place the covered bowl in a turned-off oven with the light on for a perfect rising environment.

Nutrition

Nutrient	Per Roll (1 of 12)
Calories	425
Total Fat	18g
Saturated Fat	11g
Cholesterol	75mg
Sodium	220mg
Total Carbohydrates	62g
Dietary Fiber	2g
Sugars	35g
Protein	6g

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.

Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls FAQs

Can I make these without a stand mixer?
Yes. Mix the dough in a large bowl with a wooden spoon, then knead by hand on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes.

Why did my rolls not rise?
Your yeast may have been expired, or the milk was too hot and killed the yeast. Always check the expiration date and use a thermometer.

Can I use regular cocoa powder instead of Dutch-process?
Yes, but Dutch-process cocoa gives a deeper color and milder flavor that works better for red velvet.

How do I know when the rolls are done?
The centers should be set and spring back lightly when touched. An instant-read thermometer should read about 190 degrees in the center.

Can I make these dairy-free?
Use plant-based milk, vegan butter, and dairy-free cream cheese. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.

Why are my rolls dry?
Overbaking is the main cause. Remove them when just set. Also, make sure to measure flour correctly by spooning and leveling.

Conclusion

Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls bring together the best of two favorite treats. The soft, cocoa-flavored dough with its beautiful red color looks impressive and tastes amazing. The cream cheese frosting adds the perfect sweet and tangy finish. Whether you make these for a holiday breakfast or a weekend treat, they will disappear quickly. The combination of cinnamon, cocoa, and cream cheese creates something truly special that everyone will love.