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Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

Prep Time2 hours
Cook Time15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups warm water
  • 1 Tbsp yeast
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 Tbsp cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup oil
  • 1 oz/ 1Tbsp red food coloring
  • 5-6 cups flour

Filling

  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 Tbsp cocoa powder
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/3 cup butter, softened

Frosting

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 3 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  • To begin, combine the warm water and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer with the dough hook attached. If you are not using a stand mixer a large mixing bowl will work as well. Let the mixture sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until the mixture grows and bubbles.
  • Next, add sugar, cocoa powder, salt, oil and red food coloring to the yeast mixture. Mix to combine.
  • Add the flour 1/2 cup at a time until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl when kneading. The dough should still be slightly sticky.
  • Knead the dough for 5-8 minutes. The dough should become smoother as it is kneaded.
  • Cover the dough with plastic or a clean dish towel and let it rise for 1 1/2 hours.
  • Once the dough has risen, doubled in size, remove it from the bowl onto a clean surface. Roll the dough into approximately an 18" x 20" rectangle.
  • Cover the surface of the dough with the softened butter and evenly sprinkle the filling on top.
  • The filling is made by combing sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder and cinnamon in a small bowl and mixing.
  • Once the filling is spread evenly on the dough, roll the dough tightly to form a long log form. If you want to create a heart shape, mark the center of the dough lengthwise and roll the dough tightly from one end to the center. Roll the other side of the dough to the center, until the two rolled ends meet in the middle.
  • Cut approximately 2" sections of the roll using dental floss or a sharp knife and place each section on a greased pan. To use dental floss, place the dental floss under the dough and pull the ends together until the dough is cut.
  • Cover the dough with a clean dish towel and let the dough rise for 30-45 minutes.
  • Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes, being careful not to overbake. The internal temperature should be 180 degrees F. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the pan until ready to frost.
  • In a large bowl, beat together the cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and salt and beat to combine. Once combined, add the powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time. Combine the sugar fully between each 1/2 cup addition until it has been fully combined and the frosting is smooth.
  • Evenly spread the frosting on top of each roll or frost in a heart shape. Remove the rolls from the pan and enjoy!