Introduction
Indulging in the delightful combination of red velvet and cinnamon rolls is a match made in heaven! These Heavenly Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls, without any cream cheese frosting, are a sweet, velvety dream wrapped in a familiar cinnamon embrace. Perfect for brunch gatherings or as a cozy dessert treat, they are sure to impress anyone who gets a bite. With their intricate flavors and soft texture, you’ll find it hard to believe they don’t need frosting to shine.
Detailed Ingredients
- For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk
- 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring
- For the Filling:
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup softened butter
- For the Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3-4 tablespoons milk
Preparation Time
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: Approximately 2.5 hours (including rising time)
- Yield: 12 rolls
Preparation Steps
1. In a large bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes. Add sugar, melted butter, salt, eggs, cocoa powder, and red food coloring. Mix in flour gradually until a dough forms.
2. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 6-8 minutes. Place it in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise until doubled in size, about 1-2 hours.
3. Roll out the dough into a rectangle on a floured surface. Spread softened butter evenly across the dough.
4. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle over the buttered dough. Roll the dough tightly into a log and cut into 12 rolls.
5. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the rolls in a greased baking dish, cover, and let them rise for an additional 30 minutes.
6. Bake rolls for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
7. For the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth. Drizzle over warm rolls.
These heavenly red velvet cinnamon rolls are bound to bring joy to your kitchen and delight to your taste buds. Enjoy every warm, fluffy bite!
Detailed Directions and Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Yeast Mixture
In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of warm milk and 2 1/4 teaspoons of instant yeast. Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients
Add 1/2 cup of sugar, 1/3 cup of melted butter, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 2 large eggs to the yeast mixture. Incorporate 1 tablespoon of red food coloring and 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder into the mixture.
Step 3: Form the Dough
Gradually mix in 4 cups of all-purpose flour until a dough forms.
Step 4: Knead the Dough
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 6-8 minutes until smooth.
Step 5: First Rise
Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise until doubled in size, approximately 1-2 hours.
Step 6: Roll Out the Dough
Once risen, roll out the dough into a rectangle on a floured surface. Evenly spread 1/4 cup of softened butter across the surface of the dough.
Step 7: Add Filling
In a small bowl, mix 3/4 cup of brown sugar and 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture generously over the buttered dough.
Step 8: Form the Rolls
Starting from one end, roll the dough tightly into a log. Cut the log into 12 equal rolls.
Step 9: Second Rise
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the rolls in a greased baking dish, cover them, and allow them to rise for an additional 30 minutes.
Step 10: Bake the Rolls
Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until they are golden brown. Once baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly.
Step 11: Prepare the Glaze
In a mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups of powdered sugar, 1/4 cup of melted butter, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, and 3-4 tablespoons of milk until smooth.
Step 12: Glaze the Rolls
Drizzle the prepared glaze over the warm rolls before serving.
Notes
Note 1: Milk Temperature
Ensure the milk is warm but not hot to activate the yeast without killing it.
Note 2: Yeast Activity
If the yeast does not become frothy in step 1, discard the mixture and start with new yeast.
Note 3: Rising Environment
For optimal rising, place the dough in a warm, draft-free area.
Note 4: Cutting the Rolls
Use a sharp knife or dental floss to cut the rolls for cleaner edges.
Note 5: Serving Suggestion
These rolls are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for a few days.
Cook techniques
Proofing Yeast
Proofing yeast involves mixing it with warm liquid (like milk) and letting it sit for a few minutes to activate before adding other ingredients. This is crucial for ensuring the dough rises properly.
Kneading Dough
Kneading helps develop gluten in the flour, giving the dough its structure and elasticity. Knead the dough for about 6-8 minutes on a floured surface until it’s smooth and elastic.
Rolling Dough
When rolling out the dough, aim for an even thickness. This ensures that the cinnamon rolls bake uniformly and have a consistent texture. Use a floured surface to prevent sticking.
Creating the Filling
Mixing the brown sugar and cinnamon together before sprinkling it on the buttered dough helps distribute the flavor evenly throughout each roll.
Cutting Rolls
When cutting the rolled dough, use a sharp knife or dental floss for clean cuts. This preserves the spiral shape of the cinnamon rolls and helps them maintain their height during baking.
Baking
Bake the rolls at 350°F (175°C) until golden brown, monitoring closely toward the end of the baking time to prevent overbaking.
Making the Glaze
Whisk powdered sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth. Adjust the thickness of the glaze by adding more milk for a thinner consistency or more powdered sugar for a thicker one.
FAQ
Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?
Yes, you can use active dry yeast, but you will need to activate it in warm liquid for about 5-10 minutes before adding it to the dough ingredients.
Can I make these rolls ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough and filling ahead of time. After shaping the rolls, you can refrigerate them overnight before baking.
What can I substitute for red food coloring?
You can use beet juice or a natural food coloring if you prefer not to use synthetic food coloring.
How should I store leftover cinnamon rolls?
Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for longer freshness.
Can I freeze these cinnamon rolls?
Yes, you can freeze the unbaked rolls before the final rise. Just make sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and foil. When ready to bake, let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then proceed with the final rise and baking.
Conclusion
More recipes suggestions and combination
Classic Cinnamon Rolls
Try a traditional cinnamon roll recipe for a familiar favorite with cream cheese frosting.
Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Rolls
Incorporate chocolate chips into the dough for a delightful twist on the classic recipe.
Pumpkin Spice Rolls
Substitute pumpkin puree into the dough and add pumpkin pie spice for a seasonal treat.
Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Add diced apples and nuts into the filling for a fruity variation.
Maple Pecan Rolls
Replace the brown sugar filling with maple syrup and chopped pecans for an indulgent version.
