Valentine's Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Dough
01 -
1 cup warm milk
02 -
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
03 -
1/2 cup granulated sugar
04 -
1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
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 enough to achieve desired color)
→ 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 (adjust for desired consistency)
18 -
Heart sprinkles for decoration
# Instructions:
01 -
In a large bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and a pinch of sugar. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy. In another bowl, mix flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt. Add melted butter, eggs, red food coloring, and vanilla extract to the yeast mixture. Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours or until doubled in size.
02 -
In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until well combined.
03 -
Punch down the dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a 15x9 inch rectangle. Spread the filling evenly over the dough. Starting from the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Cut into 12 equal pieces and place in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover and let rise for another 30-45 minutes until doubled.
04 -
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Let cool slightly.
05 -
In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until creamy. Add milk one tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
06 -
Spread the cream cheese glaze over the warm rolls. Sprinkle with heart sprinkles for a festive touch. Serve immediately and enjoy!
# Notes:
01 -
Ensure the milk is warm (not hot) to activate the yeast properly
02 -
Roll the dough tightly to get well-defined swirls in the rolls
03 -
Use dental floss to cut the rolls cleanly without squishing them
04 -
Let the rolls cool slightly before applying the glaze to prevent it from melting too much
05 -
For an extra touch, sprinkle some red velvet cake crumbs on top of the glaze