Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls | The Perfect Christmas Morning Treat Recipe

Introduction

These Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls are a festive twist on a beloved classic, perfect for a special Christmas morning. With a rich red hue and a hint of cocoa, they bring both eye-catching color and delightful flavor to your holiday table.

Ingredients

• 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
• 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast
• ¾ cup warm milk (about 110°F)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons red food coloring (or more as desired for color)
• 1 tablespoon buttermilk
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened (for filling)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk (add more if needed)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Step 1: Warm the milk to about 110°F, then add the yeast and a teaspoon of sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy. This step ensures your yeast is active and will help the dough rise properly.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, cocoa powder, and red food coloring. Add in the yeast mixture, softened butter, egg, and buttermilk. Mix until a soft dough forms.
3. Step 3: If the dough feels too sticky, add an extra tablespoon of flour at a time. Knead the dough for 7–8 minutes on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic.
4. Step 4: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
5. Step 5: While the dough rises, mix the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, and cinnamon together in a small bowl. Set aside the softened butter for spreading.
6. Step 6: Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release air. Roll it out into a rectangle about 12×16 inches on a floured surface. Spread the softened butter evenly across the dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar filling mixture over the top.
7. Step 7: Starting from the long side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Use a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss to cut it into 12 equal slices.
8. Step 8: Arrange the slices in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, leaving a little space between each roll. Cover and let them rise again for 30–40 minutes until puffy.
9. Step 9: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 20–25 minutes until golden on top and cooked through. Be careful not to overbake, or they’ll lose their softness.
10. Step 10: Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk for a thinner glaze or more sugar for a thicker one.
11. Step 11: Drizzle the warm rolls generously with the sugar glaze. Serve immediately while warm and soft.

Tips & Variations

• Use unflavored dental floss to cut the rolls neatly without squashing them.
• Add a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling for extra texture.
• For a more vibrant red color, adjust the amount of red food coloring as needed.
• If you don’t have buttermilk, substitute with milk plus a teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar.

Storage

Store leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to a week. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven before serving to restore softness. You can also freeze the unbaked rolls after the second rise; thaw and bake as directed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough the night before and let it rise slowly in the refrigerator. Just allow it to come to room temperature and rise again before shaping and baking.

What if I don’t have red food coloring?

Without red food coloring, the rolls will be a rich chocolate cinnamon roll instead. You can also try natural alternatives like beet juice for color, but the hue will be less intense.

Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls | The Perfect Christmas Morning Treat Recipe

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5 from 150 reviews

These Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls are a delightful twist on the classic cinnamon roll, perfect for a festive Christmas morning treat. Featuring a soft, cocoa-infused red velvet dough layered with a cinnamon-sugar filling and topped with a smooth powdered sugar glaze, these rolls deliver the perfect balance of rich flavors and tender texture for an unforgettable holiday breakfast.

• Author: luca
• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 cinnamon rolls 1x
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough

• 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
• 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast
• ¾ cup warm milk (about 110°F)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons red food coloring (or more as desired for color)
• 1 tablespoon buttermilk

Filling

• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened

Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk (add more if needed)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Activate Yeast: Warm the milk to about 110°F, then add the yeast and a teaspoon of sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy. This step ensures your yeast is active and will help the dough rise properly.
2. Mix Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, cocoa powder, and red food coloring. Add in the yeast mixture, softened butter, egg, and buttermilk. Mix until a soft dough forms.
3. Knead Dough: If the dough feels too sticky, add an extra tablespoon of flour at a time. Knead the dough for 7–8 minutes on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic.
4. First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
5. Prepare Filling: While the dough rises, mix the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, and cinnamon together in a small bowl. Set aside the softened butter for spreading.
6. Roll and Fill Dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release air. Roll it out into a rectangle about 12×16 inches on a floured surface. Spread the softened butter evenly across the dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar filling mixture over the top.
7. Shape Rolls: Starting from the long side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Use a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss to cut it into 12 equal slices.
8. Second Rise: Arrange the slices in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, leaving a little space between each roll. Cover and let them rise again for 30–40 minutes until puffy.
9. Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 20–25 minutes until golden on top and cooked through. Be careful not to overbake, or they’ll lose their softness.
10. Make Glaze: Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk for a thinner glaze or more sugar for a thicker one.
11. Serve: Drizzle the warm rolls generously with the sugar glaze. Serve immediately while warm and soft.

Notes

• Ensure the milk is not too hot or it can kill the yeast; 110°F is the ideal temperature.
• Use unflavored dental floss to cut the rolled dough to preserve the shape of the rolls.
• Adjust red food coloring to achieve the desired vibrant red hue.
• For a richer flavor, use real buttermilk or substitute with milk plus a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar.
• These rolls are best served fresh but can be stored in an airtight container and reheated gently before serving.
• You can add chopped nuts or white chocolate chips to the filling for extra texture and flavor.

Keywords: Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls, Christmas Breakfast, Holiday Treats, Cinnamon Rolls, Red Velvet Dessert