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Velvet Cinnamon With Icing

Featured in Sweet Treats You'll Actually Make Twice.

Soft and fluffy velvet rolls are easier than you'd think! Cake mix cuts down on prep time, while every swirl brings buttery cinnamon and brown sugar goodness. Warm 'em fresh with cream cheese icing melting perfectly on top. Hands-on work is simple, though you'll need rising time. Great for holidays, brunch, or when breakfast needs some love.
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Updated on Sat, 22 Mar 2025 22:23:40 GMT
Soft Velvet Rolls Pin it
Soft Velvet Rolls | cookbybook.com

These cloud-like red velvet cinnamon rolls blend two favorite classics into one tempting treat. Every swirl features bright red dough twisted around a buttery cinnamon mix, topped with creamy cheese frosting. When red velvet cake meets traditional cinnamon rolls, you get a breakfast delight that's ideal for special moments or weekend treats.

These rolls have turned into our Christmas morning must-have. The first time I took these ruby swirls out of my oven, my kids' faces lit up with excitement. Now they ask for them whenever we're celebrating something.

Smart Ingredient Choices

  • Red velvet cake mix (1 box): Creates the base for super soft dough. Go for quality brands for the best outcome
  • All-purpose flour (2½ cups): Gives the rolls their shape and right texture. Unbleached works better
  • Instant yeast (2¼ teaspoons): Helps dough rise without extra steps. Keep it in your freezer so it lasts longer
  • Lukewarm water (1½ cups): Should be exactly 110°F to wake up the yeast properly
  • Light brown sugar (1 cup): Adds sweet caramel hints in the filling. Look for fresh sugar without hard chunks
  • Ground cinnamon (2 tablespoons): Pick fresh, fragrant Ceylon cinnamon for better flavor
  • Unsalted butter (½ cup, melted): European kinds make rolls taste richer
  • Cream cheese (8 ounces): Full-fat Philadelphia makes the smoothest frosting
  • Powdered sugar (2 cups): Run it through a sifter first to avoid lumps
  • Pure vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Don't use imitation for the best taste
  • Fine sea salt (¼ teaspoon): Cuts the sweetness and boosts other flavors

Making Amazing Rolls

Starting Your Dough:
Mix cake mix with carefully measured flour in your stand mixer bowl, making sure everything's well blended.
Getting Yeast Going:
Mix lukewarm water with instant yeast, keeping it at exactly 110°F for best results.
Working The Dough:
Use a dough hook until you get a soft, stretchy dough that starts pulling away from the bowl.
First Rise Time:
Put in an oiled bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let it double up somewhere warm.
Roll It Out:
Flatten dough on a lightly floured counter into a 16x12 inch rectangle with even thickness.
Adding The Filling:
Spread melted butter all over, then coat with cinnamon sugar mix right to the edges.
Rolling Up:
Start from the long side, roll firmly but don't squish it, keeping even pressure.
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Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Recipe | cookbybook.com

When I was little, my grandma always told me to be patient during rising time. She'd say, 'Dough is just like kids - it needs warmth and time to grow.' I think about those words every time I make these rolls in my kitchen.

Tasty Serving Ideas

Serve these rolls straight from the oven when the cream cheese topping slowly melts into every fold. On holiday mornings, I place them on an old family platter, making them the star of our breakfast table. Just the smell brings everyone running to the kitchen. It's become part of how we start special days.

Fun Twists To Try

  • Sprinkle chopped pecans in the filling for extra crunch
  • Mix in mini chocolate chips for a double chocolate treat
  • Try adding orange zest to the frosting for a fresh twist

Keeping Them Fresh

You can keep rolls without frosting in a sealed container at room temperature for 2 days max. For longer storage, freeze unbaked rolls in a lined pan, wrapped well in plastic. Let them thaw in your fridge overnight before baking. Once frosted, keep rolls in the fridge and eat within 3 days.

After years making these rolls, I've found the magic happens in the small things. Each batch brings together more than just tastes - they connect family traditions and sweet memories. Their bright red color makes them just right for Valentine's Day or Christmas morning gatherings.

Delicious Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Recipe Pin it
Delicious Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Recipe | cookbybook.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How long will these rolls last?
Keep them fresh for up to two days on the counter or store in the fridge for up to a week in a sealed container.
→ Can I make these rolls beforehand?
Definitely. Prep till the second rise, then cover and chill overnight. Let them warm up before baking.
→ What’s the easiest reheating method?
Pop one roll in the microwave for 15 seconds at a time until it's warm. Be cautious—the icing can heat up fast.
→ What’s the reason for using cake mix here?
It adds both color and flavor while making everything faster and creating super-soft rolls.
→ When’s the dough ready during rising?
Wait for it to double in size. A light poke that leaves an indentation means it’s ready to go.

Velvet Cinnamon With Icing

Kick off your day with soft velvet rolls made from cake mix, all topped with smooth cream cheese icing for an extra cozy treat.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
40 Minutes
By: Susan

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 12 Servings (12 rolls)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Dough

01 1 ¼ cups warm water
02 2 teaspoons instant yeast
03 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
04 1 box red velvet cake mix

→ Filling

05 ⅓ cup melted butter
06 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
07 1 cup packed brown sugar

→ Cream Cheese Icing

08 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
09 ¼ cup cream cheese, at room temperature
10 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
11 ⅛ teaspoon salt
12 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

Instructions

Step 01

Mix together yeast, cake mix, and 1 cup of flour. Pour in the water and beat for 2 minutes using medium speed on your mixer. Switch to the dough hook and slowly add the rest of the flour until the dough feels soft and a bit sticky. Transfer it into a bowl with grease, turning it to coat. Cover and let it sit somewhere warm for about 90 minutes or until it doubles in size.

Step 02

Stir cinnamon and brown sugar in a bowl until combined.

Step 03

Spray or butter a 9x13-inch baking dish to coat it evenly.

Step 04

Sprinkle flour lightly on your work surface and roll the dough into a rectangle around 12 inches wide, 16 inches tall, and ¼ inch thick. Spread the melted butter all over, then evenly scatter the cinnamon sugar mixture on top.

Step 05

Carefully roll the dough along the long side until it turns into a log. Slice into 1 ½ inch thick pieces, then arrange them in your prepared dish. Cover the dish and allow it to become puffy, about 30 minutes.

Step 06

Set your oven to 350℉. Pop the rolls in and bake until they turn golden on top, around 20 minutes.

Step 07

While you're baking the rolls, throw all the icing ingredients into a bowl and whip them up with an electric mixer until they're smooth and fluffy.

Step 08

Once the rolls are out of the oven, slather them with the icing while they're still warm.

Notes

  1. Icing made with cream cheese can stay out up to 8 hours, but keep it in the fridge after that, max of 3 days.
  2. Store rolls on the counter for 2 days, or put them in the fridge in a sealed container for up to a week.
  3. Heat individual rolls in the microwave for 15 seconds to bring back the freshness.

Tools You'll Need

  • Mixer with dough hook attached
  • Mixing bowls, preferably glass
  • Flexible spatula
  • Baking dish, sized 9x13 inches

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes plenty of dairy (butter and cream cheese)
  • Contains gluten due to wheat flour

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 491
  • Total Fat: 18 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 81 g
  • Protein: 6 g