Name: Marry Me Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Prep time: 4 h
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 4 h 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 60 grams Unsalted butter; 250 millilitres Buttermilk (or 250ml whole milk + 1 tsp white wine vinegar); 1 sachet (7 grams) Fast-action dried yeast; 50 grams Caster sugar; 1 medium Egg (room temperature); 1 medium Egg yolk (room temperature); 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract; 480-500 grams Plain all-purpose flour; 40 grams Menier 100% Cocoa Powder; 1 teaspoon Salt; 1 teaspoon Red gel food colouring (e.g. Sugarflair Red Extra); 75 grams Unsalted butter (room temperature); 75 grams Light brown sugar; 4 teaspoons Ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon Cornflour or cornstarch (optional, for extra gooey filling); 60 grams Menier Swiss White Chocolate; 75 grams Salted butter (room temperature; or unsalted with a pinch of salt); 150 grams Icing sugar; 75 grams Full-fat cream cheese (cold from the fridge)

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If you’re ready to wow your friends, family, or just treat yourself to something truly special, the Marry Me Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is an absolute showstopper. This isn’t your average cinnamon roll – imagine velvety soft dough tinted a gorgeous red, infused with rich cocoa and vanilla, swirled with a gooey, warm cinnamon sugar filling, and then crowned with a luscious white chocolate cream cheese frosting. Each bite melts in your mouth, bursting with love and flavor. Perfect for a romantic breakfast, a festive occasion, or any moment you want to make unforgettable, these rolls are guaranteed to have you saying yes to more than just the recipe!

Ingredients You’ll Need

A top view of baking ingredients placed on a white marbled surface, including a large glass bowl of white flour at the top right, a glass measuring jug filled with milk at the top left, and a small white bowl with two raw eggs yolks and whites near the center right. Below the eggs is a white bowl filled with melted yellow butter. To the left of the butter, a small light pink bowl is filled with dark brown cocoa powder. Above it, there is a bright yellow package of cocoa powder and a small packet of yeast. Next to the yeast packet is a small white jar of red food coloring. At the top center is a small purple bowl filled with white granulated sugar and a tiny white bowl containing salt. A small white bowl shaped like a heart holding a dark brown liquid sits at the middle left. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

To create these irresistible rolls, you’ll use simple yet thoughtfully chosen ingredients that each play a role in crafting the perfect balance of taste, texture, and that stunning red velvet color. From the creamy butter that enriches the dough to the cocoa powder that deepens the flavor, every component is essential to the Marry Me Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Recipe magic.

Unsalted butter (60 grams): Melted to add richness and a tender crumb to the dough.
Buttermilk (250 millilitres): Provides a slight tang and helps activate the yeast for a soft, airy texture.
Fast-action dried yeast (7 grams): The key to that perfect rise and lightness.
Caster sugar (50 grams): Sweetens the dough just enough, balancing the cocoa’s bitterness.
Egg and egg yolk (1 each, room temperature): Adds structure, shine, and richness to the dough.
Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Brings warmth and complements the chocolate notes beautifully.
Plain all-purpose flour (480-500 grams): The foundation that gives the rolls their tender, pulling-apart softness.
100% Cocoa Powder (40 grams): Deepens the dough’s flavor and gives the signature red velvet taste.
Salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors without overpowering.
Red gel food colouring (1 teaspoon): The secret to those eye-catching red rolls, best from Sugarflair Red Extra.
Unsalted butter for filling (75 grams): Soft and spreadable, it creates that gooey cinnamon swirl.
Light brown sugar (75 grams): Adds sweetness and a lovely molasses note to the filling.
Ground cinnamon (4 teaspoons): The classic spice that gives the rolls their warming, aromatic center.
Cornflour (1 teaspoon, optional): Makes the filling extra gooey and irresistible.
White chocolate (60 grams): Melted for a luxurious frosting that’s the perfect finishing touch.
Salted butter for frosting (75 grams): Adds creaminess and balance to the sweetness of the icing.
Icing sugar (150 grams): Creates a silky smooth frosting texture.
Full-fat cream cheese (75 grams, cold): Gives the frosting tang and a rich, creamy body.

How to Make Marry Me Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Red Velvet Dough

First things first, melt the butter and gently warm the buttermilk to about body temperature—just like a comfy warm bath—to activate the yeast. Combine the warm buttermilk with the yeast and let it wake up for a moment. Then add melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, and salt before mixing it into the wet ingredients, creating a shaggy dough. Adding the red food coloring now gives the dough that festive, rich hue that’s impossible to resist.

Step 2: Knead for Perfection

Use a mixer with a dough hook to knead the dough for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth, shiny, and springs back when pressed—a sign of perfectly developed gluten. If kneading by hand, preparation time might be a bit longer, but it’s just as satisfying. This step ensures the rolls have that fluffy, soft texture that feels like a warm hug with every bite.

Step 3: First Proof

After shaping into a smooth ball, coat the dough with a little oil and cover it tightly with cling film. Set it in the warmest spot you have—like next to a radiator or in a sunny windowsill—and let it prove for about 90 to 180 minutes until doubled in size. This rise is crucial for lightness and flavor development.

Step 4: Mix the Cinnamon Filling

While the dough is proving, blend the softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and optional cornflour until smooth and easy to spread. This filling is what brings that gooey, melt-in-your-mouth magic that makes this Marry Me Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Recipe so unforgettable.

Step 5: Shape the Rolls

Roll out your dough into a 16 by 10-inch rectangle, then lavishly spread the cinnamon sugar mixture over the surface. Now for the fun part: roll each long side tightly towards the center to create a double-rolled log. Slice into 1.5-inch sections—expect 10 to 12 rolls—and pinch the bottoms to shape them into adorable hearts. This special touch adds a lot of charm and makes them a perfect gift!

Step 6: Second Proof and Bake

Place the shaped rolls in lined baking tins with a little space between. Cover and leave to rise again for about 30 to 45 minutes until puffy and almost touching. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 180°C fan or 200°C conventional. Bake the rolls for 18-20 minutes until they are risen and firm at the edges—then let them cool slightly while you prepare the frosting.

Step 7: Make the White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

Melt white chocolate carefully, letting residual heat finish the job for a velvety smooth texture. Beat butter and icing sugar until light, then fold in cold cream cheese and finally the cooled melted white chocolate. This frosting is dreamy, tangy, and sweet—a perfect counterbalance to the spiced rolls below.

Step 8: Frost and Finish

Slather this luscious frosting on the warm rolls and sprinkle with heart-shaped sprinkles for that extra dose of love and happiness. Your Marry Me Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is now ready to wow!

How to Serve Marry Me Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

The image shows a white round plate lined with white parchment paper, filled with eight heart-shaped red rolls placed close together. Each roll has two spirals, one smaller inside a larger one, with a swirled dark brown filling visible in the center and along the inner curves. The rolls have a soft and slightly textured surface, with a deep red color on the outside and a rich brown swirl inside. The plate rests on a white marbled surface with hints of soft pink and red spots. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Sprinkles are a classic choice for making these rolls festive and fun, especially heart shapes if you’re aiming for something romantic. For a gourmet twist, consider a dusting of edible gold flakes or a drizzle of melted dark chocolate for contrast. Fresh berries can also add a luscious pop of juicy brightness alongside each warm roll.

Side Dishes

These rolls shine brilliantly on their own, but pairing them with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or warm chai tea can elevate your experience even more. A light fruit salad or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream is a delightful side, particularly if you’re serving them as a decadent dessert rather than breakfast.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve these beautiful rolls on a rustic wooden board for a cozy feel, or arrange them in a decorative tiered stand to make an elegant centerpiece. Wrapping individual rolls in parchment with a ribbon makes a thoughtful takeaway for guests. And sharing these as a surprise breakfast in bed never fails to bring smiles and happy hearts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Marry Me Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Recipe fresh out of the oven can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep them soft, place a slice of bread inside the container—this little trick helps retain moisture and freshness.

Freezing

You can freeze the unbaked rolls after shaping them but before the second proof—wrap them well in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Alternatively, freeze the baked rolls after they have cooled and been frosted; just wrap tightly to prevent freezer burn. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.

Reheating

For that just-baked feel, warm your rolls in the oven at 160°C (320°F) for about 10 minutes if thawed, or a little longer if frozen. Microwaving works too—cover with a damp paper towel and heat on medium for 20-30 seconds—but the oven will keep the exterior pleasantly soft and slightly crisp around the edges.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Absolutely! If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, just add a teaspoon of white wine vinegar to whole milk and let it sit for a few minutes to create a similar acidity. This helps activate the yeast and tenderizes the dough in the Marry Me Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Recipe.

Is there a substitute for red gel food coloring?

Red gel is preferred because it provides vibrant color without diluting the dough. However, you can experiment with natural alternatives like beetroot powder, though the hue will be softer and the flavor slightly earthier.

Can these rolls be made vegan?

With some ingredient swaps—using plant-based butter, non-dairy milk with vinegar, and a vegan cream cheese—you can adapt this recipe to be vegan-friendly. Just make sure your white chocolate frosting is also dairy-free to keep that luscious finish.

Why is the dough sticky sometimes?

A bit of stickiness is normal due to the liquid-rich dough, especially with the cocoa and butter. If it’s too sticky to handle, add a tablespoon of flour gradually during kneading, but be careful not to add too much or the rolls may become dense.

Can I double the recipe for a larger batch?

Definitely! This Marry Me Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Recipe scales well. Just make sure your mixing bowl and oven space are big enough to handle the extra dough and rolls, and adjust proofing and baking times slightly if needed.

Final Thoughts

There’s something so joyful and a little bit magical about the Marry Me Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Recipe. From the gorgeous color to the divine swirl of cinnamon and the creamy frosting, each step is a delicious labor of love. Whether you bake them for a special occasion or just because you want to brighten an ordinary day, these rolls will fill your kitchen with warmth and your heart with happiness. So go ahead, bake a batch, and get ready to say yes to these unforgettable treats!