Velvet Cream Cheese Rolls (Printable Version)
# What You'll Need:
→ Dough
01 -
2 teaspoons red food coloring (or just enough for the shade you want)
02 -
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
03 -
1 teaspoon salt
04 -
4 cups all-purpose flour
05 -
2 large eggs, at room temp
06 -
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
07 -
1/2 cup sugar
08 -
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
09 -
1 cup warm milk
→ Filling
10 -
3 tablespoons cinnamon, ground
11 -
1/4 cup butter, softened
12 -
1 cup tightly packed brown sugar
→ Cream Cheese Glaze
13 -
Heart-shaped sprinkles for topping
14 -
2-3 tablespoons milk (add until it's the right consistency)
15 -
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
16 -
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
17 -
1/4 cup butter, softened
18 -
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
# Preparation Steps:
01 -
Mix together the warm milk, yeast, and just a tiny pinch of sugar in a large bowl. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes. You'll see it get foamy.
02 -
Sift cocoa powder, flour, sugar, and salt in a separate bowl. Stir the melted butter, eggs, and food coloring into your yeast mixture. Slowly mix in the dry ingredients till you get a soft dough. Toss it onto a floured counter, knead for 5-7 minutes, and it'll become stretchy and smooth.
03 -
Rub a little oil inside a bowl. Pop the dough in, cover it up, and let it sit in a warm place for 1-2 hours, so it doubles in size.
04 -
Stir your softened butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar together in a small bowl until it's all blended.
05 -
Take your dough and gently punch it down. Roll it out into a long rectangle on a floured surface. Spread your filling over it evenly, roll it up tightly from the long side, and slice into 12 same-sized pieces. Place these in your greased 9x13 dish.
06 -
Cover the rolls and let them rest for 30-45 minutes somewhere warm, until they puff up.
07 -
Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Pop the rolls in and bake for about 25-30 minutes until they're golden and fully cooked. Let them cool a little before glazing.
08 -
Beat together the softened cream cheese and butter till smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, and mix until creamy. Pour in milk a spoonful at a time to reach the texture you like.
09 -
Spread the glaze over the warm rolls, and sprinkle those cute heart decorations on top. Dig in while they're still warm!
# Additional Tips:
01 -
Rolling the dough tightly gives neat, spiraled layers.
02 -
Use unflavored dental floss to slice the rolls. It prevents smooshing.
03 -
Don’t rush to glaze right out of the oven, or it'll just slide off.
04 -
Want something extra? Sprinkle crumbs from red velvet cake onto the glaze.