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.
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.