Name: Marry Me Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Prep time: 40 min
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 Fast-action/time-saver dried yeast (11g); 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 (Sugarflair Red Extra recommended); 75 grams Unsalted butter (room temperature); 75 grams Light brown sugar; 4 teaspoons Ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon Cornflour or cornstarch (optional, for gooey filling); 60 grams Menier Swiss White Chocolate; 75 grams Salted butter or unsalted with a pinch of salt (room temperature); 150 grams Icing sugar; 75 grams Full-fat cream cheese (cold from fridge)

Jump to Recipe· 4.4 from 51 reviews

The Marry Me Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is an absolute showstopper, blending the rich, velvety flavor of red velvet with the warm, spicy embrace of cinnamon rolls all wrapped into one irresistible treat. Imagine soft, tender dough infused with cocoa and a vibrant red hue, layered with a gooey cinnamon-sugar filling, and crowned with a luscious white chocolate cream cheese frosting. It’s a recipe that’s as delightful to make as it is to share with loved ones, perfect for special occasions or whenever you want to feel a little extra adored by your breakfast or brunch spread.

Ingredients You'll Need

The image shows several baking ingredients arranged neatly on a white marbled surface. There is one large clear glass bowl filled with white flour on the upper right side. Next to it on top left is a clear measuring jug filled with milk. Below the measuring jug, there is a small white bowl with a white powder, likely salt. To the right of the salt, a light purple bowl contains white granulated sugar. A white heart-shaped dish holds a dark liquid, probably vanilla extract, near the center left. Below that, a bright yellow packet labeled cocoa powder lies next to a small pink bowl filled with dark brown cocoa powder. In the center, a sealed packet of yeast and a small jar of red food coloring are placed. On the right side, there is a white bowl with two raw eggs and below it, a larger white bowl filled with melted yellow butter. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

To create these stunning rolls, you'll gather ingredients that are wonderfully simple yet incredibly impactful. Each one plays a vital role in crafting the texture, flavor, and iconic color that make this recipe unforgettable.

Unsalted butter (60g + 75g + 75g): Provides richness throughout the dough, filling, and frosting for that buttery indulgence.

Buttermilk (250ml): Adds tenderizing acidity and moisture that keeps the dough soft and fluffy.
Fast-action dried yeast (11g sachet): The magical rising agent that gives these rolls their perfect airy texture.
Caster sugar (50g): Sweetens the dough gently and helps activate the yeast.

Egg and egg yolk (1 each): Enrich the dough for a smooth, elastic crumb and deepen the flavor.
Vanilla extract (2 tsp): Brings warmth and fragrant sweetness that complements the cocoa and cinnamon.
Plain all-purpose flour (480-500g): The backbone of the dough, balanced to achieve the perfect chewiness.

100% Cocoa powder (40g): Adds that unmistakable chocolate note central to red velvet magic.
Salt (1 tsp): Enhances all the sweet and savory flavors.
Red gel food colouring (1 tsp): Gives the rolls their eye-catching deep red color—Sugarflair Red Extra is a fantastic choice.

Light brown sugar (75g): Used in the filling to add caramel-like warmth and moisture.
Ground cinnamon (4 tsp): Infuses the filling with cozy spice that's impossible to resist.
Cornflour (1 tsp, optional): Makes the filling even gooier and more luscious to spread.

Swiss white chocolate (60g): Melted into the frosting for a creamy, luscious finish.
Icing sugar (150g): Sweetens the frosting and helps achieve that perfect spreadable consistency.
Full-fat cream cheese (75g): Adds tang and richness, the ultimate partner for the white chocolate in the frosting.

How to Make Marry Me Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Red Velvet Dough

Begin by melting the initial butter, then warm the buttermilk until it’s about the temperature of a warm bath to activate the yeast perfectly. Sprinkle your yeast over the warm buttermilk, letting it bloom for a minute, and then stir in the melted butter, eggs, sugar, and vanilla. Separately, combine your flour, cocoa, and salt before mixing them into the wet ingredients to form a shaggy dough. Add the red food coloring last, kneading everything for about 10 minutes until the dough is smooth, shiny, and springs back when gently pressed. This patience pays off with a delightfully tender crumb!

Step 2: Let the Dough Rise

After kneading, lightly oil your bowl and place the dough inside, covering it to keep in warmth. The dough should rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size, which can take between 90 and 180 minutes. Watching this transformation is always so rewarding because you just know your rolls will be perfectly airy and fluffy.

Step 3: Make the Filling and Shape the Rolls

While the dough rises, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and optional cornflour for the filling until spreadable and luscious. Roll your dough into a large rectangle roughly 16 by 10 inches, then spread the cinnamon sugar filling evenly on top. Roll the dough tightly from each long edge into the center, creating two logs meeting in the middle. Slice these into 10-12 rolls, shaping them into charming hearts by pinching the bottoms, and place them spaced in lined baking tins for their second proving.

Step 4: Bake the Rolls

After the rolls have puffed up, indicating they’re nice and ready, bake them in a preheated oven at 180°C fan or 200°C conventional for 18 to 20 minutes. You'll want them to be golden and risen, with firm but soft edges. While they cool, take time to prepare the divine frosting that will elevate these rolls to absolute comfort-food heaven.

Step 5: Prepare the Frosting and Decorate

Melt the white chocolate gently, letting residual heat finish the melting process, then beat together butter, icing sugar, and cold cream cheese into a smooth frosting before folding in the white chocolate. Take your baked and cooled rolls and lavish them with this creamy topping, then sprinkle with love heart sprinkles for that perfect romantic finish. It’s charming and utterly delicious.

How to Serve Marry Me Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Inside a white baking dish lined with parchment paper, there are eight heart-shaped cinnamon rolls with a deep red color. Each roll shows swirled layers of red dough and dark cinnamon filling, with a creamy white icing generously spread on top of six rolls. Small pink and red heart-shaped sprinkles add a cute detail on the iced rolls. One roll at the bottom right is being held by a woman's hand wearing a pink sweater with a red heart pattern. The baking dish is placed on a white marbled surface, with a small bunch of baby's breath flowers and a pink heart-shaped plate with sprinkles in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

A dusting of extra cocoa powder or a sprinkle of edible glitter elevates these rolls' beauty, but the most delightful addition is those whimsical love heart sprinkles which add a playful and romantic touch, perfect for any occasion that calls for a little extra sweetness.

Side Dishes

Pair these cinnamon rolls with a rich cup of coffee or a creamy hot chocolate to complement their sweet, spicy notes. Fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream also provide a refreshing contrast, perfect when you want a light balance to the decadence.

Creative Ways to Present

For a truly stunning presentation, arrange these heart-shaped rolls on a decorative platter lined with parchment and surrounded by fresh flowers or rose petals. If you’re serving for brunch, stack a couple high on pretty plates or place each roll in individual mini cake boxes tied with ribbon to surprise your guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

These rolls stay wonderfully fresh when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Their texture might soften slightly, but the flavor remains just as delicious for a lovely treat the next morning.

Freezing

If you want to keep these beauties longer, freeze the rolls before frosting by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap, then placing them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They should be perfect for up to two months. Thaw completely before adding your luscious frosting and serving.

Reheating

To bring your rolls back to life, warm them gently in the oven at 150°C for about 10 minutes or microwave for 20-30 seconds until soft and comforting again. Reapply some frosting if desired after reheating.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Absolutely! You can substitute buttermilk with whole milk mixed with a teaspoon of white wine vinegar added at the same time as the eggs. This combination mimics buttermilk’s acidity, keeping the dough tender.

Is there a substitute for red gel food coloring?

Gel food coloring is best for vibrant shades without changing the dough’s texture, but if you need a substitute, a few drops of liquid food coloring will work—just expect a slightly less vivid red.

How long does the dough need to rise?

The initial proof should generally take between 90 minutes to 3 hours depending on the warmth of your environment, until doubled in size. The second prove takes about 30 to 45 minutes for the rolls to puff up nicely before baking.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

This recipe is designed with all-purpose flour for the ideal texture, but a good-quality gluten-free blend can be attempted with adjustments. Expect a slightly different crumb, and be sure to add xanthan gum if your mix doesn’t already contain it.

Why add cocoa powder to cinnamon rolls?

The cocoa powder in the dough is the secret to that unmistakable red velvet flavor and subtle chocolatey undertone, adding depth and richness that pair beautifully with the cinnamon filling.

Final Thoughts

If you want to impress with a treat that’s both classic and uniquely spectacular, you really can’t go wrong with the Marry Me Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Recipe. Baking these rolls is a joyful experience, and sharing them is even sweeter. Give this recipe a try, and watch how your kitchen fills with love and irresistible aromas that beg for one more bite.

Marry Me Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Ingredients You'll Need