Red Hot Velvet Cinnamon Rolls with Cinnamon-Cream Cheese Frosting

By McCarleyRHLAC

Ingredients

• For the Cinnamon Rolls:
• 2 C Buttermilk (minus 2T)
• 2 T White Distilled Vinegar
• 1/2 C Vegetable Oil
• 1/2 C Sugar
• 2-3 oz Red Food Coloring (or to the color of your liking)
• 1 Package of Active Dry Yeast (0.25oz Packets)
• 3 3/4 C AP Flour + 1/2C AP Flour
• 1/4 C Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
• 1/2 t Baking Powder, Heaping
• 1/2 t Baking Soda, Scant
• 1 t Salt, Heaping
• 1-2 C Butter, Melted or Completely Softened
• 1 C Sugar
• Generous Sprinkling of Cinnamon
• For the Frosting:
• 8 oz Cream Cheese, Room Temperature
• 2 C Confectioners’ Sugar
• Cinnamon (to your liking)
• 1 Stick of Unsalted Butter, Room Temperature
• 1/2 t Vanilla
• Festive Valentine’s Day Sprinkles & Crushed Red Hot Candies, For Decoration

Details

Adapted from piecelovecooking.com

Preparation

Step 1

1. Measure out the 2C buttermilk in a large measuring cup, and then remove 2T of the buttermilk and substitute by adding in the 2T of white vinegar. Mix the buttermilk, vinegar, vegetable oil, sugar, and red food coloring in a pot. Heat the mixture until just before the boiling point. Turn off the heat and leave to cool for 45 minutes to an hour. Meanwhile, sift together the 3 ¾C AP flour with the ¼C unsweetened cocoa powder, and set it aside. When the milk mixture is warm (but not hot), sprinkle in the package of yeast. Let it sit for a minute or two, and then add in the sifted flour-cocoa powder. Stir the mixture and cover, and then let it rise for at least an hour.

2. After rising for an hour, add in ½C AP Flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir the mixture together. Refrigerate the dough overnight to help it become firm and better for presentation.

3. The next day, sprinkle a rolling surface generously with flour. Take the dough and form a rough rectangle, and then roll the dough thin, maintaining a general rectangular shape. Smear or spread on 1C of the softened (or melted) butter over the dough. Now, sprinkle 1C of sugar over the butter, followed by a generous sprinkling of cinnamon.

4. Now, starting at the opposite end, begin rolling the dough in a neat line toward you. Keep the roll relatively tight as you go. Next, pinch the seam of the roll to seal it. Spray a 13x9-baking pan with Pam, and set it aside. Then, begin cutting the rolls into approximately 12 thick round rolls and place them into the prepared buttered pans. Let the rolls rise for an hour.

5. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

6. Bake the cinnamon rolls for 15-20 minutes or until light golden brown.

7. To Make the Frosting: Mix together all of the ingredients and stir well until smooth. Generously drizzle over the warm rolls.

8. Serve immediately and enjoy while they are still warm.