Soft & Dreamy Velvety Red Valentines Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Warm, gooey, and decadent red velvet cinnamon rolls dance with romantic charm, promising an irresistible valentines dessert that melts hearts.

These soft spirals blend rich cocoa and deep crimson hues into a dreamy pastry experience.

Swirls of cream cheese frosting cascade over each tender roll, creating a luxurious treat perfect for celebrating love.

Delicate and indulgent, these rolls transform breakfast into a passionate culinary moment.

Baking these rolls fills your kitchen with an intoxicating aroma of cinnamon and sweet romance.

Every bite promises a tender, moist sensation that celebrates the essence of Valentine’s Day.

You’ll fall in love with this show-stopping dessert that turns an ordinary morning into an extraordinary celebration of affection.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 2 hours rising time)

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 12

Red Velvet Roll Ingredients Checklist

• All-Purpose Flour: Essential base for tender, soft roll texture with perfect crumb structure.
• Cocoa Powder: Provides deep burgundy color and rich chocolate undertone for red velvet character.
• Active Dry Yeast: Magical rising agent that creates fluffy, airy rolls with delightful volume.
• Warm Milk: Activates yeast and adds moisture for supple, smooth dough consistency.
• Granulated Sugar: Feeds yeast and provides subtle sweetness throughout the dough.
• Red Food Coloring: Delivers signature vibrant red velvet appearance and festive visual appeal.
• Salt: Balances flavors and strengthens gluten development in dough.

• Brown Sugar: Creates caramelized, gooey center with deep molasses undertones.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic spice that complements sweet roll profile.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, creamy base for filling and enhances overall flavor.

• Cream Cheese: Delivers tangy, luxurious base with signature cream cheese frosting flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates silky, smooth texture and balanced sweetness.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces subtle, complex flavor enhancing overall dessert experience.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps create stable, creamy frosting consistency.

Kitchen Tools for Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

• Stand Mixer or Mixing Bowls: Perfect for combining ingredients and kneading dough with ease.
• Dough Hook: Essential for effortlessly mixing and kneading the dough if using a stand mixer.
• Rolling Pin: Helps roll out the dough into a smooth, even rectangle.
• 9×13-inch Baking Dish: Ideal for baking and presenting the cinnamon rolls.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Whisk: Great for blending dry ingredients and creating smooth mixtures.
• Spatula: Helps spread filling and frosting evenly.
• Sharp Knife: Needed to slice the rolled dough into perfect cinnamon roll pieces.

Red Velvet Cinnamon Roll Directions

• Activate the Yeast

Create a bubbly yeast mixture by combining warm milk, yeast, and a touch of sugar. Let it sit until it becomes frothy and alive with potential.

• Create the Dough

Blend together melted butter, egg, and a splash of vibrant red food coloring. Mix in the awakened yeast and gradually incorporate flour, cocoa powder, and salt until a soft, luxurious dough emerges.

• Nurture the Dough

Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place it in a cozy, greased bowl and let it rest and rise in a warm spot, growing and transforming for about an hour.

• Craft the Filling

Whip together softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon into a dreamy, fragrant mixture that will make hearts melt.

• Shape the Love Rolls

Roll out the risen dough into a tempting rectangle. Lavishly spread the cinnamon filling across the surface. Carefully roll the dough into a beautiful log and slice into delicate rounds.

• Bake to Perfection

Nestle the rolls in a baking dish and let them rise once more. Bake in a preheated oven until they turn golden and your kitchen fills with an irresistible aroma.

• Crown with Frosting

Whip up a cloud-like cream cheese frosting, spreading it generously over the warm rolls. Serve immediately and watch love bloom with every bite.

How to Plate Red Velvet Rolls

• Sweet Love Plating: Arrange rolls on a romantic heart-shaped platter for an instant Valentine's Day presentation.
• Cozy Breakfast Companion: Pair these rolls with fresh strawberries, a side of whipped cream, and a steaming mug of hot chocolate for a delightful morning treat.
• Shareable Dessert Moment: Cut rolls into smaller portions for a fun sharing experience during a romantic brunch or intimate dessert date.
• Decadent Gift Idea: Package cooled rolls in a pretty box with a ribbon, creating a heartfelt homemade gift for your special someone or close friends.

Save & Enjoy Red Velvet Rolls Later

• Smart Storage Solutions: Keep Those Sweet Rolls Fresh
• Refrigeration Rescue: Store frosted rolls in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Wrap individually in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Freeze unbaked rolls after slicing and placing in the baking dish. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, lasting up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
• Quick Reheating Trick: Warm individual rolls in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or reheat in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore that fresh-baked softness and warm, gooey texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the dough and filling one day ahead. Store the rolled, uncut log wrapped in plastic in the refrigerator, then slice and bake fresh on serving day for maximum flavor and texture.

Tips & Flavor Ideas for Red Velvet Rolls

• Foolproof Baking Tricks: Roll with Perfection
• Dough Temperature Magic: Ensure milk is lukewarm (around 110°F) to activate yeast without killing it, creating soft, fluffy rolls every single time.
• Red Velvet Color Control: Add food coloring gradually to achieve desired deep red shade without compromising dough consistency.
• Rise Right Technique: Place dough in a warm, draft-free spot like inside an unheated oven with a pan of hot water for ideal rising conditions.
• Make-Ahead Wonder: Prepare rolls up to the assembly stage, refrigerate overnight, then let sit at room temperature for 45 minutes before baking for fresh morning treats.
• Diet-Friendly Transformations: Swap regular flour with gluten-free blend, use dairy-free cream cheese, and replace milk with almond milk for inclusive Valentine's Day celebration.

Velvety Red Valentines Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

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4.5 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Luxurious red velvet valentines cinnamon rolls combine classic comfort with romantic charm. Sweet cream cheese frosting and rich cocoa notes create a delightful dessert you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

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• 3 cups (375 grams/13.2 oz) all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup (240 mL/8 fl oz) whole milk
• 2 ¼ tsps (7 grams) active dry yeast
• ¼ cup (50 grams/1.8 oz) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (60 grams/2.1 oz) unsalted butter
• 2 tbsps cocoa powder
• 12 tsps red food coloring
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup (115 grams/4 oz) unsalted butter
• ¾ cup (150 grams/5.3 oz) brown sugar
• 2 tsps ground cinnamon
• 4 oz (115 grams) cream cheese
• 1 cup (120 grams/4.2 oz) powdered sugar
• 2 tbsps (30 grams/1 oz) unsalted butter
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt

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Instructions

1. Yeast Activation: Combine warm milk, yeast, and partial sugar in a container, allowing the mixture to foam and become frothy, confirming yeast vitality.
2. Wet Mixture Preparation: Blend melted butter, egg, remaining sugar, and red food coloring in a large bowl, thoroughly integrating the activated yeast mixture.
3. Dough Formation: Whisk flour, cocoa powder, and salt in a separate bowl, gradually folding dry ingredients into the wet mixture to create a smooth, cohesive dough.
4. Dough Development: Knead the dough on a flour-dusted surface or with a stand mixer’s dough hook until achieving a silky, elastic texture, approximately 8-10 minutes.
5. First Rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a cloth, and position in a warm spot until volume doubles, typically 1-1.5 hours.
6. Filling Creation: Mix softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until uniformly combined and spreadable.
7. Roll Assembly: Roll risen dough into a rectangular shape, evenly distributing cinnamon-sugar filling across the stretched surface.
8. Shaping and Portioning: Tightly roll the dough from the long edge into a compact log, slicing into 12 consistent portions.
9. Second Rise and Baking Preparation: Arrange rolls in a greased baking dish, covering and allowing a secondary rise for 30-45 minutes until puffy.
10. Baking Process: Bake in a preheated oven at 350F (175C) for 20-25 minutes, ensuring a light golden color and complete cooking.
11. Frosting Preparation: Whip cream cheese and butter until smooth, incorporating powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a salt pinch, beating until light and fluffy.
12. Final Touch: Generously spread cream cheese frosting over slightly warm rolls, ready to be served and enjoyed.

Notes

• Yeast Activation Tip: Ensure milk temperature is between 100-110°F to prevent killing the yeast; too hot or cold can disrupt fermentation.
• Dough Consistency Hack: Add flour gradually while kneading to achieve a soft, tacky texture without becoming dry or crumbly.
• Color Enhancement Strategy: Use gel food coloring for more vibrant red hue without altering dough’s liquid balance.
• Rising Environment Control: Place dough in a warm, draft-free spot like inside a turned-off oven with a pan of hot water to guarantee optimal proofing conditions.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 2 hours rising time)
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 292
• Sugar: 21 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg