Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Heart Recipe

For the red velvet dough:

1. Add milk, butter, and 1/4 cup granulated sugar to a small pot; mix and warm up over medium heat just until butter melts.
2. Add the flour, yeast, cocoa, 1/4 tsp salt, egg, and red food color into a standing mixer’s bowl. Mix on lowest speed with hook attachment just until combined.
3. Pour in the melted butter/milk/sugar mixture in a slow thin stream while the mixer is going on low speed.
4. Increase the speed to medium-high and knead for 10 minutes.
5. Warm up the oven to 200F, then turn it off.
6. Transfer the dough into a separate greased bowl; cover with kitchen plastic and allow to rise in the warm oven for 2 hours.

To make the filling:

1. Whisk together the brown sugar, 1/8 cup granulated sugar, and cinnamon; set aside.

To make the frosting:

1. Whip the softened cream cheese and softened butter in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment for 5 minutes.
2. Reduce the mixer's speed to lowest and add vanilla, 1/8 tsp salt, powdered sugar, and pink food coloring. Mix until combined.

Assembling and Baking:

1. Once the dough has risen, roll it to a 1/4" thick rectangle.
2. Brush the 1 tbsp melted butter over the dough and evenly spread the cinnamon filling.
3. Starting from the shorter end, roll the dough into a tight log.
4. Slice into 1" pieces using a thread and tightly arrange them in a greased heart pan.
5. Cover with plastic, and place into the warm oven for 30 minutes to rise again.
6. Once rolls have risen, bake on 350F on the middle rack for 15-18 minutes.
7. Spread the cream cheese frosting while the rolls are still warm.

Enjoy!