Sure, the rosy-cheeked, jolly gift-giver loves him some milk and cookies. But who knew?! He’s a big breakfast guy, too. Swap out those ooey, gooey cookies for some of Santa’s Favorite Cinnamon Rolls. You would think he just likes them because they’re his favorite, festive color… red! But, once you taste them, you’ll understand he really does love their spicy cinnamon flavor wrapped up like a pretty bow in the fluffy dough. And it probably helps that the creamy, sugary vanilla icing is as white as snow and it’s delightful to taste, too. So, if you’re looking to get some bonus points with the big guy and score a few extra presents under the tree this year, make sure you set out Santa’s Favorite Cinnamon Rolls on Christmas Eve!
Ingredients
For the cinnamon rolls:
- 1 box red velvet cake mix
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 2 cups warm water
- 2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoons canola oil
- 1/2 cup unsalted sweet cream butter, melted
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
For the icing:
- 6 tablespoons unsalted sweet cream butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 10 tablespoons whole milk
Directions
Step 1 –In a large mixing bowl, add the cake mix, the flour, the warm water, and the yeast and mix until slightly combined.
Step 2 –Flour a flat, clean surface and place the dough on it.
Step 3 –Knead the dough until it is combined and it bounces back when touched.
Step 4 –Place the dough in a large glass bowl and brush the top and the sides of the bowl with the oil.
Step 5 –Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel until the dough has doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Step 6 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 7 –Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 8 –Place the risen dough back on the floured surface and roll it out so that it is 1/8-inch-thick.
Step 9 –Brush 1/2 cup of the melted sweet cream butter on top of the dough and sprinkle with the cinnamon and the sugar.
Step 10 –Roll the coated dough into a log and cut it into rolls. Place the rolls in the prepared baking dish.
Step 11 –Bake until slightly crisp on top, about 30 minutes.
Step 12 –While the rolls bake, in the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the remaining sweet cream butter, the powdered sugar, the cream cheese, the vanilla, and the whole milk together until smooth and creamy.
Step 13 –Smother the warm cinnamon rolls with the icing.
Step 14 –Allow the cinnamon rolls to cool for 15 minutes.
Step 15 –Serve.