Easy Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Using Cake Mix

There's nothing better than warm, gooey cinnamon rolls fresh from the oven, especially when they're made with a shortcut that saves time without sacrificing flavor.

These Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls start with a box of red velvet cake mix, giving them their signature color and subtle cocoa flavor while keeping the dough soft and fluffy. Finished with a luscious cream cheese frosting, they're perfect for Valentine's Day, Christmas morning, birthdays, or anytime you're craving a fun twist on a classic breakfast treat.

Jump To

• Why You'll Love These Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls
• Ingredients for Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Using Cake Mix
• How to Make Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls
• Pro Tips for the Best Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls
• Storing and Reheating Tips
• Delicious Variations
• What to Serve with Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls
• Final Thoughts
• FAQ
• Easy Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Using Cake Mix
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If you've made cake mix cinnamon rolls before, you'll love this festive version. The red velvet cake mix creates a soft dough with a hint of cocoa flavor, making these some of the easiest cinnamon rolls using cake mix you'll ever bake. If you've been searching for an easy red velvet cinnamon rolls recipe that doesn't require making dough completely from scratch, this recipe is exactly what you need.

Why You'll Love These Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

These red velvet cinnamon rolls combine the convenience of a boxed cake mix with the taste of homemade baking. Traditional recipes often require cocoa powder, extra sugar, and several dry ingredients, but the red velvet cake mix already provides the signature flavor and beautiful color, making this shortcut recipe much easier.

The dough bakes up soft and fluffy with beautiful cinnamon swirls, while the rich cream cheese icing melts into every layer. Whether you're making them for a holiday brunch or a cozy weekend breakfast, they're always a crowd-pleaser.

Best of all, they're much easier than traditional classic cinnamon rolls, making them a great recipe for beginner bakers as well as experienced home cooks.

Ingredients for Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls Using Cake Mix

You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make these bakery-worthy rolls.

• Warm water: Activates the yeast and helps bring the dough together.
• Active dry yeast: Helps the dough rise and become soft and fluffy.
• Red velvet cake mix: Gives the rolls their red velvet flavor, color, and sweetness.
• Flour: Adds structure to the dough and makes it easier to roll and shape.
• Ground cinnamon: Adds warm cinnamon flavor to the filling.
• Brown sugar: Sweetens the filling and creates a caramel-like flavor as it bakes.
• Butter: Adds richness to the filling and helps the cinnamon sugar spread over the dough.
• Cream cheese: Creates the creamy base for the frosting.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
• Heavy cream: Thins the frosting and makes it smooth and easy to drizzle.
• Vanilla extract: Adds vanilla flavor to the frosting.
• Red food coloring (optional): Most red velvet cake mixes already contain enough color, but you can add a few drops if you'd like an even more vibrant red.

How to Make Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

These red velvet cinnamon rolls are easy to make with cake mix and come together with a sweet cinnamon filling and creamy cream cheese frosting.

Make the dough: Add the yeast, red velvet cake mix, and flour to a large mixing bowl. Stir until well combined.

Add the water: Pour in the warm water and mix until a soft dough forms.

Let the dough rise: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Prepare the dough: Turn the risen dough out onto a lightly floured surface.

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Roll out the dough: Roll the dough into a large rectangle, about ¼ inch thick.

Make the filling: Melt the butter, then stir in the brown sugar and cinnamon until combined.

Add the filling: Pour the cinnamon-sugar butter mixture over the rolled-out dough and spread it evenly to the edges.

Cut the dough: Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the rectangle lengthwise down the middle to create two long strips.

Portion the rolls: Cut each long strip into 12 pieces, creating 24 pieces total.

Roll them up: Roll each piece tightly into a cinnamon roll and arrange them in the prepared baking dish.

Bake: Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the rolls are baked through and lightly golden around the edges.

Soften the cream cheese: While the rolls are baking, set the cream cheese out to soften to room temperature.

Cool the rolls: Remove the cinnamon rolls from the oven and let them cool for about 10 minutes before frosting.

Make the frosting: Add the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract to a mixing bowl. Beat until smooth and creamy.

Frost and serve: Spread the cream cheese frosting over the warm cinnamon rolls and enjoy!

Pro Tips for the Best Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

These simple tips will help you make soft, fluffy red velvet cinnamon rolls with the best texture and flavor.

If you choose to use milk instead of water to activate the yeast, make sure it is warm, not hot. Milk that is too hot can prevent the yeast from rising properly.

When kneading, avoid adding too much extra flour. A slightly sticky dough produces softer cinnamon rolls after baking.

Most red velvet cake mix already contains enough red food color, so you usually won't need to add extra unless you'd like a deeper, more vibrant shade.

If your kitchen is cool, let the dough rise inside an unheated oven with just the oven light turned on.

For extra gooey rolls, pour a few tablespoons of heavy cream over the rolls just before baking. This simple trick creates wonderfully soft centers.

Storing and Reheating Tips

Store leftover red velvet cinnamon rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days because of the cream cheese frosting.

To enjoy them again, microwave individual rolls for about 20 to 30 seconds until warm.

You can also freeze the baked rolls without frosting for up to two months. When ready to serve, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, warm gently, and frost with fresh cream cheese icing.

Delicious Variations

This recipe is easy to customize depending on the occasion.

For a chocolate lover's version, sprinkle mini chocolate chips over the cinnamon filling before rolling the dough.

Chopped pecans or walnuts add a delicious crunch and pair beautifully with the red velvet flavor.

If you prefer homemade dough, you can also make red velvet cinnamon rolls without cake mix, although this shortcut version is much faster and easier.

You can even shape the dough into mini rolls for brunch buffets or holiday dessert trays.

What to Serve with Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

These soft, fluffy rolls pair perfectly with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, breakfast sausage, fresh fruit, or Greek yogurt for a balanced breakfast.

For drinks, serve them alongside freshly brewed coffee, hot chocolate, chai tea, or a vanilla latte.

They're also a beautiful addition to holiday brunches, baby showers, Valentine's Day breakfasts, and Christmas morning celebrations.

Final Thoughts

If you love easy baking recipes, these Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls deserve a spot on your must-make list. The cake mix shortcut creates an incredibly soft dough with minimal effort, while the buttery cinnamon filling and rich cream cheese frosting give every bite that bakery-quality taste everyone loves.

Whether you're baking them for a special occasion or simply treating your family to a weekend breakfast, these fluffy red velvet cinnamon rolls are guaranteed to disappear quickly. They're festive, delicious, and surprisingly simple to make.

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