Homemade sweet rolls filled with spiced buttery brown sugar & topped with a delightful chocolate icing. Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls perfect for a special treat!
My family loves it when I make cinnamon rolls! I love this chocolate variation- it contains all the traditional spices that compliment each other perfectly. It’s like a mug of Mexican Hot Chocolate, only in cinnamon roll form!
Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls Ingredients
Milk: Use 1 ½ cup whole milk to add moisture and activate the yeast.
Butter: ¼ cup (½ stick) butter, cut into cubes, helps create tender rolls.
Sugar: Adding ¼ cup granulated sugar feeds the yeast and gives the dough a subtle sweet taste.
Yeast: 2 ¼ tsp dry active yeast (1 packet) leavens the dough, making it rise and become fluffy.
Salt: Using 1 tsp salt controls yeast activity and enhances flavor throughout.
Flour: The structure of the rolls is created with 3 ½-4 cups all-purpose flour.
For the filling
Brown sugar: For a deep caramel flavor, add ½ cup brown sugar.
Butter: ¼ cup butter, softened, adds nice rich flavor and shine.
Flavor powders: Use 2 TBSP cocoa powder and 1 tsp espresso powder for a warm, spiced chocolate flavor.
Extract: Add 1 tsp vanilla extract for more incredible taste.
Cinnamon: You’ll want to include ½ tsp cinnamon for a sweet, warm kick.
For the icing
Flavor powders: Using 1 TBSP cocoa powder and 1 tsp espresso powder intensifies the taste.
Extract: 2 tsp vanilla extract rounds out the flavors with its sweet aroma.
Powder sugar: Add 3 cups powdered sugar for a smooth, sweet topping.
Milk: Use ¼-½ cup milk to achieve the right spreading consistency.
Tips for working with Cinnamon Roll dough
Working with yeast dough can be intimidating at first but it’s really easy when you get into it. Here are a few tips for success.
- Make sure your milk mixture is at the right temperature. You want it to be warm but not hot. Use a thermometer to check the temperature. If it’s too hot (above 90°F) the yeast will burn and your dough won’t rise.
- You will need more or less flour depending on the time of year and the humidity on the day you make your chocolate cinnamon rolls. You can tell when you have added enough flour when the dough starts to pull away from the sides and into the center of your bowl.
- You want the dough slightly sticky after mixing in your flour. This will result in a soft, fluffy dough. If you add too much flour you will end up with a dry, dense dough.
How do I store my chocolate cinnamon rolls?
If you have leftover chocolate cinnamon rolls you can keep them on the counter for 1-2 days. If you would like to keep them longer, place them in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Can I make this ahead of time and freeze it?
Yes! Make these chocolate cinnamon rolls as directed but do not top them with icing. Store in an airtight container or resealable bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw your cinnamon rolls and make your icing. Once thawed, top your rolls with icing and enjoy.
Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup whole milk
- ¼ cup butter half stick, cut into cubes
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 ¼ tsp dry active yeast 1 packet
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour up to 4 cups
For the filling:
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup butter softened
- 2 TBSP cocoa powder
- 1 tsp espresso powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp cinnamon
For the icing:
- 1 TBSP cocoa powder
- 1 tsp espresso powder
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- ¼-½ cup milk
Instructions
- Make the dough: In a medium-sized microwaveable bowl, stir the milk, butter, sugar, and salt. Microwave for 1 minute, until the mixture is about 85-90°F (you can test this with a thermometer). Transfer the mixture to the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
- Add the yeast and stir once or twice. Let sit 5 minutes.
- Add 2 cups of the flour to the mixture and stir over medium speed until the flour is fully incorporated and the dough is very runny.
- Switch the paddle attachment for the dough hook and slowly add the rest of the flour (⅓ cup at a time) and the salt. Stop to scrape down the sides of the bowl in between each addition. Once the dough starts to come together and the dough is coming away from the sides of the bowl enough flour has been added.
- Set your stand mixer to medium speed and allow the dough to knead for 3-5 minutes until it is shiny and soft. Pick up the dough and lightly grease the bowl with oil. Place the dough back into the bowl, spritz with additional oil, cover with a piece of plastic wrap or a towel & allow the dough to rise for 1 ½ hours or until it has doubled in size.
- To make the filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, softened butter, cocoa powder, espresso powder, vanilla extract, and cinnamon and stir until it forms a paste. Spray a 9×13 baking pan with non-stick spray and set aside.
- To shape the rolls: Once the dough has doubled in size, turn the dough out onto a clean dry surface. Roll the dough out until it measures 18 x 26 or about double the size of the baking dish. Using a spatula, spread an even layer of the chocolate filling onto the dough, making sure it reaches all the way to the edges.
- Using a pastry cutter or a pizza cutter, cut 12 equal strips, about 2 inches wide. Roll up each strip so it resembles a roll and transfer it to the prepared baking dish repeating this process until all 12 rolls are in the dish. Cover and allow the rolls to rise for about 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove the cover and place them in the center rack of the oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown.
- To make the icing: In the bowl of your stand mixer with the whisk attachment, add the cocoa powder, espresso powder, and half of the powdered sugar. Whisk to combine. Add the vanilla extract and 2 tbsp of milk. Stir to combine. Slowly add the rest of the powdered sugar until fully incorporated. Add in the milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
- Once the rolls have finished baking, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool for 10 minutes. Drizzle the tops with the chocolate espresso icing and serve warm. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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What do I serve with my chocolate cinnamon rolls?
Chocolate cinnamon rolls are indulgent and delicious all on their own but they can be enhanced by adding a few easy sides to make them exceptional. Here are a few ideas.
- Coffee: adding a fresh cup of really good, hot coffee can bring out the flavor of these chocolate cinnamon rolls.
- Brunch items: Showcase these chocolate cinnamon rolls as part of your brunch spread by serving them with eggs, bacon, yogurt, and granola.
- Espresso martini: Add something extra fun for the adults at the table with a trendy cocktail to enhance the chocolate and coffee flavors of this treat.
What other variation can I make?
If you want to avoid caffeine, you can leave the espresso powder out of this recipe. Your chocolate cinnamon rolls will be just as amazing. If you do this, you can add some chocolate chips to the top of your cinnamon rolls for an extra yum factor.
Can I make this in a round dish instead of a rectangle?
Making these chocolate cinnamon rolls in a round dish is just as easy as making them in a large casserole dish. You can use 9-inch round cake pans and arrange the cinnamon rolls in a circular pattern with 6 rolls in each pan. Bake as directed and top with icing.
For more cinnamon roll variations, try our favorites here:
- Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls are a playful twist on a classic! Fluffy, soft dough is swirled with buttery cinnamon sugar, baked to golden perfection, and topped with a luscious vanilla bean frosting.
- Our Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls are pillowy soft, full of warm pumpkin flavor, and swirled with sweet cinnamon sugar. Baked from scratch and topped with a rich cream cheese frosting, these cozy rolls are the perfect autumn treat for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
- Muffin Tin Cinnamon Rolls are a fun twist on the classic! Made completely from scratch, these sweet rolls are braided, placed in a muffin tin, and baked until golden. Soft, fluffy, and full of cinnamon-sugar flavor, they’re as delicious as they are adorable.
- Make a batch of Caramel Apple Hawaiian Cinnamon Rolls for a cozy fall treat! Soft Hawaiian rolls are layered with butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar, then stuffed with a gooey caramel apple filling. They’re an irresistible twist on classic cinnamon rolls!
- Mini Cinnamon Rolls are a quick and adorable take on the classic! Made in under 15 minutes, these bite-sized rolls are swirled with buttery cinnamon sugar and baked to perfection. Easy, delicious, and irresistibly cute—they’re perfect for breakfast, snacks, or parties.
Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls are soft, homemade sweet rolls filled with buttery spiced brown sugar and finished with a rich chocolate icing. Warm, gooey, and indulgent, they’re the perfect treat for chocolate lovers and a fun twist on the classic cinnamon roll.
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