Valentine's Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Dough Base
01 -
1 cup warm milk
02 -
1 packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
03 -
1/2 cup granulated sugar
04 -
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
05 -
2 large eggs, room temperature
06 -
4 cups all-purpose flour
07 -
1 teaspoon salt
08 -
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
09 -
2 teaspoons red food coloring (or to desired color)
→ Cinnamon Filling
10 -
1 cup brown sugar, packed
11 -
3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
12 -
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
→ Cream Cheese Glaze
13 -
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
14 -
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
15 -
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
16 -
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
17 -
2-3 tablespoons milk
18 -
Heart sprinkles for decoration
# Instructions:
01 -
Start by combining warm milk (not hot!) with yeast and a pinch of sugar in a large bowl. Let it hang out for about 5-10 minutes until it gets nice and foamy
02 -
In another bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt. Add your melted butter, eggs, red food coloring, and vanilla to the yeast mixture. Now gradually mix in those dry ingredients until you've got a soft dough
03 -
Turn that dough onto a floured surface and knead it for about 5-7 minutes until it's smooth and springy. Pop it in a greased bowl, cover it up, and let it rise somewhere warm for 1-2 hours until it's doubled in size
04 -
While the dough's rising, mix up your softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until it's well combined
05 -
Punch down that risen dough and roll it out into a 15x9 inch rectangle. Spread your cinnamon filling evenly over top, then roll it up tightly from the long edge. Cut into 12 even pieces
06 -
Place your rolls in a greased 9x13 baking dish, cover them up, and let them rise again for 30-45 minutes. Then bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until they're golden and cooked through
07 -
Beat together the cream cheese and butter until smooth, then mix in powdered sugar and vanilla. Add milk until it's just right. Spread this over your warm rolls and sprinkle with heart sprinkles
# Notes:
01 -
Use dental floss to cut your rolls - it gives you nice clean cuts without squishing them
02 -
Let the rolls cool just a bit before glazing so the frosting doesn't completely melt
03 -
For extra pizzazz, sprinkle some red velvet cake crumbs on top