Ingredients
1 cup (240 ml) Warm whole or 2% milk
1/4 cup (50 g) White sugar
1/4 cup (57 g) Melted unsalted butter
1 teaspoon (6 g) Salt
2 1/4 teaspoons (7 g / 1 packet) Instant yeast
2 large Eggs
1/2 cup (120 g) Full-fat sour cream
4 to 4 1/2 cups (480 g to 540 g) All-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
1/4 cup (25 g) Unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon (15 ml) Red food coloring or as needed for vibrant color
1/4 cup (57 g) Softened unsalted butter
3/4 cup (165 g) Brown sugar (packed)
2 tablespoons (16 g) Ground cinnamon
1/4 cup (57 g) Unsalted butter (room temperature)
4 ounces (113 g) Cream cheese (room temperature)
1 teaspoon (5 ml) Vanilla extract
2 cups (240 g) Powdered sugar, sifted
1 to 2 tablespoons (15 ml to 30 ml) Milk, as needed for consistency
Instructions
1-First, in a large bowl, combine warm buttermilk, yeast, and sugar as a base for the dough. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy, which activates the yeast and sets the foundation for soft rolls.
2-Next, mix in eggs, melted butter, red food coloring, and cocoa powder to add that signature color and taste, then gradually incorporate the flour to form a workable dough.
3-Once the dough is ready, knead it on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic, then cover and let it rise for 1-2 hours. This rising time is crucial for the texture, so find a warm spot in your kitchen.
4-After that, roll out the dough, spread the butter mixture, and sprinkle on the cinnamon and sugar for the filling that gives these rolls their delicious swirl.
5-Roll up the dough tightly and cut it into equal slices before placing them in a greased pan for a second rise. This step, which takes 30-45 minutes, lets the rolls get puffy and ready for the oven.
6-Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 20-25 minutes until they’re golden and smell amazing.
7-Finally, whip up a simple glaze with powdered sugar and milk, drizzle it over the warm rolls, and enjoy.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
🧁 Use fresh yeast and allow sufficient rising time for best texture, especially in cooler environments.
🍬 Adjust sweetness by adding more sugar to dough or filling if desired.
🌰 Enhance filling by adding raisins, chopped nuts, or chocolate chips for variety.
- Prep Time: 3 hours
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking, Rising, Rolling
- Cuisine: American, Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 472
- Sugar: 31g
- Sodium: 357mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Carbohydrates: 70g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
