Red Velvet Is Perfectly Acceptable For Breakfast With These Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon rolls [1] are one of our favorite breakfast [2] foods, and red velvet [3] is our favorite dessert [4]. We've combined the two together, and we can't get enough. These red velvet cinnamon rolls are the stuff dreams are made of. Make these for your next brunch or even as a dessert and watch the sweet-toothed mobs descend.

Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

From Alyssa Noui, POPSUGAR Food

Ingredients

For the dough:
3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 (1/4-ounce) packets active dry yeast
1 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 cups water
1 tablespoon red food coloring
1 egg

For the filling:
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/2 cup butter, softened

For cream cheese frosting:
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 tablespoons butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Directions

To make the dough: Combine 2 cups of flour with sugar, cocoa powder, dry yeast, and salt in a stand-up mixer fitted with a dough hook. Mix until combined.
Microwave butter and water until warm but not hot to the touch, approximately 120ºF-130ºF. Butter will not melt completely. Pour in red food coloring. Add to the flour mixture, followed by 1 egg, and beat for 2 minutes at high speed, scraping down the bowl occasionally. Add an additional 1 cup of flour, and continue mixing. Stir in just enough remaining flour so the dough will form into a ball.
Knead dough on heavily floured surface for about 6-8 minutes, until smooth and elastic. The dough should spring back when lightly pressed. Cover with a towel and let rest for 10 minutes.
For the filling, combine sugar, cinnamon, and cocoa powder in a small bowl. Set aside.
Roll the dough into a 10-inch-by-16-inch rectangle using a rolling pin. Spread butter over the dough and sprinkle with cinnamon mixture. Beginning at the long end of the rectangle, roll dough tightly, pinching to seal. Cut into equal 1-inch pieces using unflavored dental floss or twine for a clean cut. Place rolls, cut-side down, in a greased baking sheet. Cover with a towel and let rise for 45-60 minutes, or until the dough has doubled in size.
Preheat oven to 350ºF, and bake for 23-28 minutes, or until rolls are golden on top and cooked through. Remove from oven and cool for 10-15 minutes.
To make frosting: Combine cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt until creamy. Spread evenly over rolls.

Information

Yield: 16 to 18 servings
Total Time: 2 hours, 59 minutes, 59 seconds