Red Velvet Honey Bun Recipe

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Growing up, I’d always reach for anything red velvet at family gatherings or local bakeries. But when I discovered Red Velvet Honey Buns, I knew I had stumbled upon the ultimate fusion of comfort and decadence.

How to make Red Velvet Honey Buns

A Red Velvet Honey Bun is a variation of the classic honey bun snack cake, made with red velvet–flavored dough (which has a mild cocoa taste and a distinct red color) and topped with either a cream cheese–style icing or glaze instead of the usual honey-flavored glaze.

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) instant yeast
• ½ cup warm milk (about 110°F/43°C)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons red food coloring (or a natural alternative, like beet juice)
• ½ teaspoon salt

For the Filling:

• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ½ stick (¼ cup) unsalted butter, softened

For the Glaze:

• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional: 2 ounces cream cheese (for a tangy cream cheese glaze)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy (this activates the yeast).
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, cocoa powder, and food coloring. Mix well to evenly distribute the color.
3. Add the frothy yeast mixture, melted butter, and eggs to the dry ingredients. Mix until a cohesive dough forms.
4. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 8–10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. If the dough feels sticky, add a sprinkling of flour as needed to prevent sticking.
5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise for 1–1 ½ hours, or until doubled in size.

2. Prepare the Filling:

1. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.

3. Roll and Fill:

1. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle (about 12×16 inches).
2. Spread the softened butter evenly over the surface of the dough.
3. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture on top, making sure to cover the entire surface.

4. Shape the Honey Buns:

1. Starting at one end, roll the dough tightly into a log.
2. Cut the log into 1-inch slices to form individual honey buns.
3. Place the buns in a greased or parchment-lined baking dish, spacing them slightly apart.

5. Rise Again:

1. Cover the dish with a towel and let the buns rise for another 30–40 minutes.

6. Bake:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the honey buns for 18–25 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and the aroma fills the kitchen.

7. Make the Glaze:

1. While the honey buns bake, whisk together powdered sugar, milk/cream, vanilla, and cream cheese (if using) in a small bowl until smooth. The glaze should be thick but pourable. Add more cream/milk to adjust consistency if needed.
2. Let the buns cool for 5–10 minutes before drizzling the glaze generously over the top.

Tips for Success

• Achieving the Perfect Dough: Don’t skip kneading! Kneading activates the gluten and ensures soft, pillowy buns.
• Natural Red Coloring: If you prefer avoiding artificial food coloring, use beet juice or a mix of raspberry and cranberry puree for a vibrant natural red color.
• Careful with Rising: Yeast is sensitive to temperature—keep your dough in a warm place (but not too hot!) to rise properly.
• Customize the Filling: Add crushed nuts, mini chocolate chips, or even a touch of cream cheese to the filling for extra creativity.
• Serving Tip: Serve warm for maximum enjoyment! You can reheat leftovers in the microwave for a few seconds to bring back that soft texture the next day.

What to serve with

Red Velvet Honey Buns are indulgent, soft, and full of flavor, but pairing them with complementary sides can truly elevate your dining experience.

Coffee

The slight bitterness of coffee complements the sweetness of the Red Velvet Honey Buns perfectly! Try:

• A rich espresso or latte to balance the sweetness of the glaze.
• A sweetened mocha latte to amplify the cocoa flavors of the red velvet.

Tea

For a lighter, soothing option:

• Chai tea: Its warm spices like cinnamon and cardamom will complement the filling.
• Earl Grey: The subtle floral notes of bergamot pair beautifully with the red velvet profile.
• Peppermint tea: Offers a refreshing contrast to the richness.

Milk

Red Velvet Honey Buns and milk are a classic match for a nostalgic treat. Opt for:

• Warm milk or a milkshake flavored with vanilla or chocolate.
• Almond or oat milk for a dairy-free alternative.

Ingredients Substitutes

When making Red Velvet Honey Buns, you might find yourself missing certain ingredients or wanting to adjust the recipe to suit dietary restrictions, flavor preferences, or what’s available in your pantry.

1. Flour

Original Ingredient: All-purpose flour

Substitutes:

• Bread flour: If you want a chewier texture, bread flour works well—it has higher protein content, which enhances gluten development.
• Whole wheat flour: Use half whole wheat and half all-purpose flour for more fiber and a slightly nuttier taste.
• Gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour: This is ideal if you’re making the recipe gluten-free. Brands like Bob’s Red Mill offer excellent gluten-free flour blends.

2. Milk

Original Ingredient: Warm whole milk

Substitutes:

• Non-dairy milk: Almond, soy, oat, or coconut milk can replace whole milk for a dairy-free version. Use unsweetened and unflavored varieties to avoid altering the taste.
• Half water, half cream: If you don’t have milk on hand, combine water with a splash of heavy cream for richness.
• Buttermilk: Adds a tangy flavor that complements the red velvet.

3. Butter

Original Ingredient: Unsalted butter (melted for the dough and softened for the filling)

Substitutes:

• Coconut oil: Provides a subtle coconut flavor and works well for a non-dairy alternative. Use an equal amount.
• Vegetable oil: Works for the dough but may lack the full richness of butter.
• Plant-based butter: For a vegan or dairy-free option, use margarine or plant-based butter.

4. Sugar

Original Ingredients: Granulated sugar (for the dough)

Brown sugar (for the filling)

Substitutes:

• Granulated sugar substitutes: For natural alternatives: Use honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar (reduce liquid elsewhere in the recipe to maintain consistency).
• For low-calorie options: Use a zero-calorie sweetener like stevia or monk fruit sweetener.
• Brown sugar substitutes: Use coconut sugar or mix granulated sugar with a teaspoon of molasses to mimic brown sugar’s texture and flavor.

5. Eggs

Original Ingredient: Eggs (in the dough)

Substitutes:

• Flaxseed or chia seed egg: Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed or chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water and let it sit until it forms a gelatinous consistency—this replaces 1 egg.
• Applesauce: Use ¼ cup of unsweetened applesauce per egg for a moist texture.
• Mashed banana: Works well as a substitute, especially if you like banana’s natural sweetness.
• Aquafaba: The liquid from canned chickpeas (3 tablespoons = 1 egg) is a versatile egg replacement.

6. Yeast

Original Ingredient: Instant yeast

Substitutes:

• Active dry yeast: Use the same amount of active dry yeast, but proof it in warm milk for 5–10 minutes before adding it to the dough.
• Baking powder + baking soda: If you don’t have yeast, you can make the buns more like quick bread. Use 1 teaspoon of baking powder and ½ teaspoon of baking soda in place of yeast. Note that they won’t rise the same way or have a traditional honey bun texture.

7. Red Food Coloring

Original Ingredient: Artificial red food dye

Substitutes:

• Use beet juice (1–2 tablespoons) for the same rich red color.
• Raspberry or cranberry puree: Blend the fruits and strain the liquid for coloring.
• Powdered freeze-dried strawberries: Adds both flavor and color.
• Skip the coloring: Red velvet is also delicious in its natural chocolate hue—so omitting the coloring is perfectly fine and doesn’t affect the taste.

8. Cream Cheese (Optional)

Original Ingredient: Cream cheese for glaze or filling

Substitutes:

• Greek yogurt: Thick, creamy yogurt adds a tanginess similar to that of cream cheese. You can blend it with powdered sugar for sweetness.
• Mascarpone cheese: A milder alternative to cream cheese with a similar texture.
• Vegan cream cheese: Made from almonds, cashews, or tofu, this is perfect for a dairy-free alternative.

9. Cinnamon (In the Filling)

Original Ingredient: Ground cinnamon

Substitutes:

• Allspice, nutmeg, or cardamom: These spices can mimic the warm flavor cinnamon brings—you may want to use a smaller amount since they’re stronger.
• Pumpkin spice mix: Perfect if you’re a fan of fall-inspired flavors.

Final Thoughts

These Red Velvet Honey Buns are the perfect combination of festive flavors and pure indulgence.

More Dough Recipes:

• Aldi Gluten-Free Pizza Dough Recipe
• Croissant Dough Recipe
• Copycat Nestle Toll House Cookie Dough Recipe