The Best Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Recipe for Sweet Mornings

Whipping up a batch of red velvet cinnamon rolls can transform an ordinary morning into a delightful celebration.

Crimson swirls of decadent dough promise a sensory adventure for anyone who loves sweet breakfast treats.

Soft, pillowy layers melt with rich cream cheese frosting that whispers indulgence.

Southern kitchens often buzz with these spectacular pastries that feel like a warm hug.

Subtle cocoa notes dance through each tender spiral, creating a luxurious experience you’ll crave repeatedly.

Passionate bakers understand how these rolls can elevate a simple weekend breakfast into something magical.

Let’s dive into this irresistible recipe that will make your taste buds sing with pure joy.

Why Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Are Worth the Effort

• Whip Up Family-Friendly Comfort: This red velvet cinnamon roll recipe is a crowd-pleaser that transforms ordinary baking into an exciting culinary adventure.
• Create Effortless Elegance: Despite its gourmet appearance, the recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward techniques, making it accessible for bakers of all skill levels.
• Customize with Creativity: Personalize these rolls by adjusting the sweetness, experimenting with different icings, or adding extra spices to match your taste preferences.
• Celebrate Special Moments: Perfect for weekend brunches, holiday gatherings, or surprising loved ones with a homemade treat that looks and tastes professionally crafted.

Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Ingredients

• Red Velvet Cake Mix: Provides the signature red color and flavor base.
• Flour: Helps create the perfect dough texture.
• Yeast: Ensures the rolls rise and become fluffy.

• Warm Water: Activates the yeast and helps blend ingredients.
• Milk: Adds moisture to the icing.

• Brown Sugar, Cinnamon: Create a classic sweet and spicy filling.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps spread the filling.

• Confectioners' Sugar: Creates a smooth, sweet topping.
• Butter: Provides creamy texture to the icing.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor.

• Kitchen Towel: Used for covering rolls during rising.
• Baking Pan: Container for baking the rolls.

Baking Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

Step 1: Create Dough Base

In a spacious mixing bowl, blend red velvet cake mix, flour, and yeast. Pour warm water and mix vigorously until smooth. Gradually incorporate remaining flour until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.

Step 2: Knead and Allow Rising

Transfer dough onto a lightly dusted surface and gently knead 6-8 times. Nestle the dough into a greased bowl, ensuring the top is lightly coated. Cover and let rest in a cozy spot until volume doubles, approximately 2 hours.

Step 3: Whip Up Cinnamon Filling

Combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl, creating a fragrant mixture.

Step 4: Roll and Spread Flavor

Deflate the risen dough and spread onto a floured surface. Stretch into an expansive rectangle. Generously brush with melted butter, leaving a slim border. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly across the surface.

Step 5: Shape Delightful Swirls

Roll the dough tightly from the long edge, creating a perfect spiral. Seal the seam by pinching. Slice into 12 uniform pieces. Arrange cut-side up in a buttered baking pan.

Step 6: Final Rising Stage

Drape a kitchen towel over the rolls and let them rise in a warm environment until nearly doubled, about 1 hour.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Heat oven to 350°F. Bake rolls until they puff up and turn a light golden brown, roughly 15-20 minutes.

Step 8: Craft Creamy Topping

• Confectioners' sugar
• Softened butter
• Vanilla extract
• Milk (to achieve drizzling consistency)

Step 9: Serve and Savor

Cascade the luscious icing over warm rolls and enjoy immediately.

Cinnamon Roll Tips with a Red Velvet Twist

• Prevent Sticky Dough: Lightly flour your hands and work surface to manage the sticky red velvet dough, ensuring easier handling without adding too much extra flour.
• Activate Yeast Perfectly: Use warm water between 110-115°F to activate the yeast without killing it, creating a soft, fluffy texture for your cinnamon rolls.
• Create Even Rolls: Use dental floss or a sharp serrated knife to slice the rolled dough into uniform 12 pieces, ensuring consistent baking and appearance.
• Control Rising Temperature: Place the dough in a slightly warm, draft-free area like a turned-off oven with the light on to help it rise consistently and develop rich flavor.
• Frost with Finesse: Allow rolls to cool for 5-10 minutes before adding icing, preventing the glaze from melting completely and maintaining a beautiful drizzle effect.

Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls: Store for Later Bliss

• Store cooled cinnamon rolls in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Wrap individually in plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
• Wrap the entire baking pan tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Place rolls on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to freezer bags. Store for 1-2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before warming.
• Warm rolls in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes until heated through. Add a small piece of damp paper towel in the microwave to prevent dryness.

Pairings for Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

• Decadent Dairy Companion: Pair these red velvet cinnamon rolls with cold, creamy whole milk for a rich and balanced flavor experience that highlights the roll's sweet and tangy notes.
• Complementary Coffee Blend: Serve with a smooth, medium-roast Colombian coffee that has subtle chocolate undertones, perfectly matching the red velvet's deep cocoa essence.
• Wine Indulgence Pairing: Choose a sweet dessert wine like Moscato d'Asti, which offers light, fruity notes that beautifully contrast the cinnamon's warmth and the roll's velvety texture.
• Frost-Enhancing Accompaniment: Add a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream alongside the warm rolls, creating a delightful temperature and flavor contrast that elevates the entire dessert experience.

Velvet Cinnamon Roll Takes

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace cake mix and flour with gluten-free red velvet cake mix and gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Use xanthan gum to help bind the dough and maintain texture.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap butter with coconut oil or plant-based margarine. Use almond milk or oat milk instead of regular milk for icing. Choose a dairy-free cream cheese alternative for topping.
• Vegan Transformation: Substitute eggs with flax eggs or aquafaba. Use plant-based milk and vegan butter alternatives. Select a vegan-friendly red velvet cake mix or make a homemade vegan red velvet cake mix substitute.
• Low-Sugar Option: Reduce brown sugar in filling and use monk fruit sweetener. Replace confectioners' sugar with a sugar-free powdered sweetener. Add Greek yogurt to maintain moisture and enhance protein content.

FAQs

• Why use cake mix in cinnamon rolls?

Cake mix provides a unique flavor and color, making the rolls softer and more tender compared to traditional yeast dough.

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough the night before. After the first rise, cover and refrigerate overnight. Let it come to room temperature before rolling and filling.

• How do I know when the dough has risen properly?

The dough should double in size and feel puffy when gently pressed. In a warm environment, this usually takes about 2 hours.

• What if my dough is too sticky?

Add flour gradually, one tablespoon at a time, while kneading. Be careful not to add too much, as this can make the rolls tough.

Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Indulgent red velvet cinnamon rolls bring Southern charm to classic breakfast pastries with rich cocoa and cream cheese frosting. Sweet spirals of decadence melt in your mouth, promising pure comfort in each delightful bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 package (15.25 ounces / 432 grams) red velvet cake mix
• 2.5 to 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 package (0.25 ounces / 7 grams) active dry yeast
• 1.25 cups warm water (120°F to 130°F)

Filling Ingredients:

• 0.5 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.25 cup butter, melted

Icing Ingredients:

• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3–5 tablespoons 2% milk

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Craft the foundational mixture by blending red velvet cake mix, flour, and yeast in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a smooth base for your cinnamon rolls.
2. Gradually introduce warm water to the dry ingredients, beating thoroughly until the mixture transforms into a cohesive, slightly tacky dough.
3. Gently manipulate the dough on a flour-dusted surface, kneading minimally to develop its texture without overworking.
4. Transfer the dough to a greased container, ensuring complete surface coverage, and allow it to rest and expand in a warm environment until its volume noticeably increases.
5. Simultaneously prepare the aromatic filling by combining brown sugar and ground cinnamon, creating a sweet and spicy mixture.
6. Deflate the risen dough and stretch it into a rectangular shape, maintaining consistent thickness across the surface.
7. Generously apply melted butter across the dough’s expanse, leaving a narrow perimeter untouched.
8. Evenly distribute the cinnamon-sugar blend over the buttered surface, ensuring complete and uniform coverage.
9. Carefully roll the dough from its longest edge, creating a tightly wound cylindrical shape and sealing the seam firmly.
10. Slice the rolled dough into uniform segments, positioning them cut-side upward in a prepared baking vessel.
11. Allow the rolls a second rising period, covering them loosely to retain moisture and encourage gentle expansion.
12. Heat the oven to a precise temperature, creating an ideal baking environment for golden, pillowy rolls.
13. Bake until the rolls achieve a light golden hue and emit an irresistible fragrance, signaling their perfect doneness.
14. Craft a luxurious icing by whipping confectioners’ sugar with butter, vanilla, and milk until it reaches a silky, drizzle-ready consistency.
15. Lavish the warm rolls with the creamy icing, serving them immediately to capture their peak deliciousness.

Notes

• Swap regular flour with gluten-free blend for celiac-friendly version, ensuring same soft texture and rise.
• Reduce sugar content by using monk fruit sweetener or stevia for low-carb and diabetic-friendly alternative.
• Enhance red color naturally by adding beetroot powder instead of artificial food coloring for healthier option.
• Allow dough to develop maximum flavor by letting first rise happen slowly in refrigerator overnight, developing deeper taste profile.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 28 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 53 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg