Description

These Red Velvet Valentine’s Day Cinnamon Rolls are the perfect blend of rich, fluffy dough and warm cinnamon sugar filling, topped with a creamy cream cheese glaze. Their vibrant red color and decadent taste make them the perfect treat for celebrating love and special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough:

1 cup warm milk
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
2 large eggs, room temperature
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 teaspoons red food coloring (or enough to achieve desired color)

For the Filling:

1 cup brown sugar, packed
3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

For the Cream Cheese Glaze:

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2–3 tablespoons milk (adjust for desired consistency)

For Decoration:

Heart sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Dough:
In a small bowl, combine the warm milk and active dry yeast. Stir in the granulated sugar and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, or until the mixture becomes foamy.
In a large bowl, mix the melted butter, eggs, cocoa powder, and red food coloring.
Add the yeast mixture to the butter and egg mixture and stir to combine.
Gradually add the flour and salt, one cup at a time, stirring until the dough comes together.
Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5-7 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
Prepare the Filling:
While the dough is rising, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and softened butter in a bowl until well combined. Set aside.
Shape the Cinnamon Rolls:
Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Roll the dough out into a rectangle, about 16×12 inches.
Spread the cinnamon-sugar filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border along the edges.
Roll the dough tightly into a log and cut into 12 even rolls.
Place the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, ensuring they are snug but not overcrowded.
Cover the dish with a kitchen towel and let the rolls rise for 30-45 minutes, or until puffy.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
Prepare the Cream Cheese Glaze:
While the rolls are baking, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.
Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and continue mixing until smooth and creamy.
Gradually add the milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired glaze consistency.
Finish the Rolls:
Once the cinnamon rolls are done baking, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool slightly.
Drizzle the cream cheese glaze over the warm rolls.
For a festive touch, sprinkle heart-shaped sprinkles on top for decoration. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

Make sure the milk is warm but not hot, as excessively hot milk can kill the yeast.
You can refrigerate the rolled cinnamon rolls overnight and bake them the next day. Just let them rise before baking.
If you prefer, you can substitute the cream cheese glaze with a simple vanilla glaze.

Prep Time: 30 minutes (plus rise time)
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dessert, Breakfast
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Red velvet cinnamon rolls, Valentine’s Day cinnamon rolls, red velvet rolls, cream cheese glaze, festive cinnamon rolls, homemade cinnamon rolls