Red Velvet Sweet Rolls: A Decadent Breakfast or Dessert

My Red Velvet Sweet Rolls Discovery Story

If you’d told me a year ago that Red Velvet Sweet Rolls would become one of my favorite bakes, I would’ve been skeptical. Red velvet in a roll? I wasn’t sure it could beat classic cinnamon rolls. But let me tell you — the first time I pulled a pan of these out of the oven, something magical happened. They were soft, swirled with cocoa-scented sweetness, and drizzled with cream cheese glaze. One bite and I knew these were special.

The first time I baked them was on Valentine’s Day. My kids wanted something “red and fun,” and my husband had hinted at cinnamon rolls. I thought, why not combine the two? I added cocoa and red coloring to the dough, filled it with a buttery sugar swirl, and baked. The kitchen smelled incredible, and when I topped them with cream cheese glaze, my family said they were better than bakery rolls.

It reminded me of my grandmother. She never made red velvet rolls, but she did make cinnamon rolls every holiday. I can still picture myself on her little wooden stool, helping her spread butter and sugar on dough before rolling it up. She’d wink and say, “Sweet rolls are love you can hold.” These red velvet rolls carry that same spirit — with a festive twist.

Welcome to DianaRecipes.com, where I share recipes that make ordinary mornings feel special. These Red Velvet Sweet Rolls are perfect for brunch, holidays, or whenever you need a little indulgence.

What Makes These Red Velvet Sweet Rolls So Special

Here’s what you’ll need for these dreamy, festive rolls:

For the Dough:

3 cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup cocoa powder
¼ cup sugar
1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
1 cup warm milk (110°F)
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg
1 tsp red food coloring
½ tsp salt

For the Filling:

½ cup brown sugar
2 tbsp cocoa powder
¼ cup butter, softened

For the Cream Cheese Glaze:

4 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2–3 tbsp milk (to desired consistency)

Optional Add-Ins:

Mini chocolate chips for extra decadence
Crushed pecans or walnuts for crunch

Substitutions I’ve Actually Tested:

Instead of food coloring: beet juice works for natural coloring.
Instead of cream cheese: vanilla icing works in a pinch.

Time Investment That’s Actually Worth It

Here’s the breakdown for Red Velvet Sweet Rolls:

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Rise Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Yes, they take time, but the results are worth every minute.

My Time-Saving Trick: Prep the rolls the night before, refrigerate, and bake fresh in the morning.

Step 1: Make the Dough

Whisk warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit 5 minutes until foamy. Add melted butter, egg, red food coloring, cocoa, and salt. Gradually stir in flour until dough forms. Knead 5–7 minutes until smooth.

Diana’s Tip: Use a stand mixer with dough hook if you’re short on time.

What to Watch For: Dough should be soft but not sticky.

Step 2: First Rise

Place dough in greased bowl, cover, and let rise 1 hour until doubled.

Diana’s Tip: Warm your oven slightly, then turn off, to create a cozy spot for dough to rise.

What to Watch For: Dough should spring back when poked.

Step 3: Fill and Roll

Roll dough into rectangle. Spread softened butter, then sprinkle brown sugar and cocoa. Roll up tightly from long side. Slice into 12 rolls.

Diana’s Tip: Use unflavored dental floss to slice clean rolls.

What to Watch For: Keep rolls even for uniform baking.

Step 4: Second Rise

Place rolls in greased 9×13 pan. Cover and rise 30 minutes.

Diana’s Tip: Don’t skip this rise — it makes them fluffy.

What to Watch For: Rolls should puff up before baking.

Step 5: Bake and Glaze

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 22–25 minutes until golden. Mix glaze ingredients and spread over warm rolls.

Diana’s Tip: Glaze while warm so it melts into the swirls.

What to Watch For: Don’t overbake — they should be soft.

Why I Feel Good About Serving These

Here’s the nutrition breakdown per roll:

Calories: ~280
Carbs: 38g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 12g
Fiber: 2g

Yes, they’re indulgent — but also homemade, full of love, and perfect for sharing.

Making These Even Better for You

I’ve tested a few variations:

For Lighter Rolls: Use half whole wheat flour.

For Less Sugar: Reduce filling sugar by 2 tbsp, glaze still adds sweetness.

For Dairy-Free: Use almond milk and vegan cream cheese.

How I Love to Serve These

Here’s how I love to enjoy Red Velvet Sweet Rolls:

For Holidays: On a platter with extra cream cheese glaze.

For Breakfast in Bed: Paired with coffee or hot chocolate.

For Dessert: Warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Seasonal Twist: Add peppermint extract to glaze for Christmas, or orange zest for Easter.

Learn from My Kitchen Disasters

I’ve had my share of roll mishaps:

Mistake #1: Dense rolls.

Why it happens: Dough under-proofed.
My fix: Always let dough rise until doubled.

Mistake #2: Filling leaking out.

The lesson: Rolled too loosely.
Prevention tip: Roll tightly and pinch seam.

Mistake #3: Dry rolls.

The lesson: Overbaked.
Prevention tip: Bake until just set, not hard.

Meal Prep Magic with These Rolls

Here’s how I handle Red Velvet Sweet Rolls:

Short-Term Storage: Keep in airtight container up to 3 days.

Freezer-Friendly: Freeze unbaked rolls after second rise. Bake straight from freezer, adding 5 minutes.

My Holiday Prep Routine: Assemble rolls on Christmas Eve, refrigerate overnight, bake fresh in the morning.

Reheating Like a Pro: Warm in oven at 300°F for 10 minutes — tastes freshly baked.

Why This Recipe Earned a Permanent Spot in My Kitchen

Here’s why Red Velvet Sweet Rolls are a keeper:

Festive and fun
Soft, gooey, and indulgent
Loved by kids and adults
Perfect for holidays

Every time I bake these, I think of my grandmother’s cinnamon rolls and how she made mornings special. These red velvet rolls carry on her tradition with a colorful, modern twist.

I’m telling you, once you try Red Velvet Sweet Rolls, you’ll want them at every celebration.

Ready to give them a try? Share your photos on Facebook (Cooking with Diana) or tag me on Pinterest (@DianaRecipes). And if you love these, don’t miss my Cheesy Sausage Hash Brown Egg Cups — another cozy, spiced favorite!

Your Questions Answered

Q: Can I make red velvet sweet rolls ahead of time?
A: Yes, refrigerate overnight and bake in the morning.

Q: Do I have to use food coloring?
A: No, beet juice works naturally, or skip for cocoa rolls.

Q: Can I make them without cream cheese glaze?
A: Yes, vanilla icing works too.

Q: Can I freeze baked rolls?
A: Yes, freeze and reheat in oven.

Q: Can I add chocolate chips?
A: Definitely — makes them extra indulgent.

Q: What if my dough doesn’t rise?
A: Check yeast freshness and keep dough warm.

Q: Can I make mini rolls?
A: Yes, slice smaller and reduce bake time.

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