Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls
For the rolls: 2 (¼ ounce) packets Active Dry Yeast 2 ½ cups Warm Water 1 (15-ounce) box Red Velvet Cake Mix 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract 1 teaspoon Salt 5 cups All-Purpose Flour Non-stick Cooking Spray Flour a large work surface and rolling pin. Set out 2 (9×13) inch pans and lightly spray with cooking spray. Combine the active dry yeast and warm water in a large mixing bowl and stir together until yeast is dissolved. With an electric mixer and a dough hook, beat in the red velvet cake mix, vanilla extract, salt and flour. Once everything is combined and dough comes together, cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 1 hour to double in size. When ready, punch dough down and turn the dough out onto the floured surface. Roll out dough to around 23×17 inches and in the shape of a rectangle. Next, combine the ingredients for the filling. For the filling: 2 sticks Unsalted Butter (1 cup) (softened) 1 cup Brown Sugar ½ cup Granulated Sugar 3 Tablespoons Ground Cinnamon In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Spread the butter all over the dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the butter. Carefully start rolling the dough while trying to keep the roll tight. Slice the dough into rolls and divide them between the 2 pans. Cover each pan with plastic wrap and let sit for an additional hour to let rise. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees while the rolls are rising. When they are ready, place the pans on the 3rd (middle) rack and bake uncovered for 18 to 20 minutes. While the rolls bake, combine the ingredients for the cream cheese frosting. For the Frosting: 2 (8-ounce) packages Cream Cheese (softened) 2 sticks Unsalted Butter (1 cup) (softened) 3 cups Powdered Sugar 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract In a large mixing bowl and with an electric mixer, beat together all of the ingredients for the frosting. Remove the cinnamon rolls from the oven and frost while warm.
Kid Friendly Recipes from the Kitchen of Azure Rountree is available at The Advance. A portion of the proceeds from every book sold will go to benefit children with special needs.
