Dreamy Pink Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

Pink velvet cinnamon rolls bring the soft, fluffy comfort of classic cinnamon rolls with a fun Valentine-ready twist. The dough bakes up tender and lightly sweet, with a subtle cocoa note that gives it that velvet vibe without tasting like a full chocolate roll.

A buttery cinnamon filling melts into the spirals, and the pink glaze turns every pan into a showpiece. These rolls are perfect for brunch, birthdays, or any time you want a baking project that feels special but still familiar.

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Reasons to Try Pink Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

Soft, bakery-style texture

The enriched dough bakes up pillowy and tender, especially when you do not over-flour it.

Classic cinnamon flavor with a velvet twist

A touch of cocoa and pink color makes them feel unique while keeping the cinnamon roll taste everyone expects.

Perfect for holidays and gifting

They look festive in photos and pack well for sharing, especially for Valentine’s Day or baby showers.

Customizable topping options

You can go with a cream cheese glaze, a vanilla glaze, or even a strawberry glaze depending on your vibe.

Ingredients Notes

For the Dough

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Salt
• Instant yeast
• Whole milk
• Unsalted butter
• Egg
• Vanilla extract
• Cocoa powder
• Pink gel food coloring

For the Filling

• Unsalted butter
• Brown sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Cocoa powder
• Salt

For the Pink Glaze

• Cream cheese
• Unsalted butter
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Milk
• Pink gel food coloring
• Salt

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How to Make Pink Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

For the Dough

1. Warm milk and melt butter.
2. Mix flour, sugar, salt, yeast, and cocoa.
3. Add milk mixture, egg, vanilla, and pink coloring.
4. Knead until smooth and elastic.
5. Let dough rise until puffy.

For the Filling

1. Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, cocoa, and salt.
2. Roll dough into a rectangle.
3. Spread butter over dough and add filling.
4. Roll into a log and cut into rolls.

For the Pink Glaze

1. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
2. Mix in powdered sugar and vanilla.
3. Add milk until spreadable.
4. Tint with pink coloring.

What You Must Know Pink Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

• Use gel food coloring for strong color without thinning the dough. Liquid coloring can make the dough sticky.
• Do not overheat the milk. If it is too hot, it can weaken the yeast. Warm, not steaming, is the goal.
• Add flour gradually while kneading. Too much flour makes rolls dry and dense.
• Cut rolls with floss or a very sharp knife. Pressing down with a dull knife can squash the spirals.
• Do not overbake. Pull them when they are set and lightly golden so they stay soft.
• Glaze while warm if you want it to melt in, or glaze after cooling if you want a thick frosting look.

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Helpful Tips

• For extra soft rolls, let them cool covered for a few minutes after baking.
• If your kitchen is cold, let dough rise in an oven that is turned off with the light on.
• For clean slices, chill the rolled log briefly before cutting.

Variations and Substitutions

• No cream cheese glaze: Use a vanilla icing made with powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.
• Strawberry glaze: Add strawberry jam or freeze-dried strawberry powder to the glaze for flavor and natural pink.
• Dairy swap: Use plant milk and plant butter, and use a dairy-free cream cheese for the topping.
• Make it deeper red: Add a tiny bit of cocoa plus a deeper red gel coloring for a red velvet look.
• Extra texture: Add finely chopped pecans in the filling if you want crunch.

Serving Suggestions for Pink Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

• Serve warm with extra glaze on the side for dipping.
• Add fresh strawberries or raspberries on the plate for a cute Valentine look.
• Pair with coffee, hot chocolate, or strawberry milk.
• Sprinkle with pink and white sprinkles right after glazing for a bakery finish.
• Serve as a brunch centerpiece with fruit salad and eggs.

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Storage/Reheating

Store rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat individual rolls in the microwave until warm and soft. Add a small spoon of glaze after reheating if they look dry. For longer storage, freeze unfrosted rolls, thaw overnight, and warm before glazing.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

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Pink Velvet Cinnamon Rolls With a Lush Cream Cheese Glaze

These pink velvet cinnamon rolls are soft, fluffy, and swirled with cinnamon sugar, then topped with a pink cream cheese glaze for the perfect festive bake.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12 rolls

Calories 410 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the Dough

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
• 1 cup whole milk warm
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 to 2 teaspoons pink gel food coloring

For the Filling

• 1/3 cup unsalted butter softened
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1 pinch salt

For the Pink Glaze

• 4 ounces cream cheese softened
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 to 4 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon pink gel food coloring more as needed
• 1 pinch salt

Instructions

 

For the Dough

• Combine flour, sugar, salt, yeast, and cocoa powder in a mixing bowl.
• Add warm milk, melted butter, egg, vanilla, and pink gel coloring. Mix until a dough forms.
• Knead until smooth and elastic, adding only enough flour to prevent sticking.
• Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled in size.

For the Filling

• Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, cocoa powder, and salt in a bowl.
• Roll dough into a large rectangle. Spread softened butter evenly over the surface.
• Sprinkle filling evenly, pressing lightly so it sticks.
• Roll tightly into a log and cut into 12 rolls. Place rolls in a greased baking dish and let rise until puffy.
• Bake at 350°F until the rolls are set and lightly golden.

For the Pink Glaze

• Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
• Add powdered sugar and vanilla and mix until thick.
• Add milk a little at a time until spreadable, then mix in pink coloring.
• Spread glaze over warm rolls or cooled rolls, depending on your preferred finish.

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