If you have a sweet tooth and love the cozy aroma of cinnamon mingling with decadent chocolate, this Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. It brings together the warm, comforting flavors of cinnamon rolls with a rich chocolate twist that makes every bite utterly irresistible. Soft, fluffy dough wraps around a luscious filling of cocoa, cinnamon, and mini chocolate chips, finished with a smooth, vanilla-kissed glaze that melts on your tongue. Whether it’s a weekend brunch or a special treat, these rolls are sure to become a family favorite that everyone will look forward to.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient plays a vital role in making these chocolate cinnamon rolls a delightful experience. From the soft dough to the luscious filling and the sweet glaze, every component is simple yet essential in building layers of flavor and texture you will love.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation for tender, fluffy rolls with the perfect chew.
- Granulated sugar: Adds just enough sweetness to balance the filling and dough.
- Instant yeast: Ensures your rolls rise beautifully and become light and airy.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and prevents blandness.
- Warm milk: Activates yeast and creates a soft dough.
- Unsalted butter (melted and softened): Adds richness and helps tenderize the dough, plus it greases the filling perfectly.
- Large egg: Binds the dough together and contributes to a golden crust.
- Brown sugar: Provides a deep, caramel-like sweetness for the filling.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Gives a rich chocolate flavor without adding extra sweetness.
- Ground cinnamon: Lends the classic warm spice that cinnamon rolls are known for.
- Mini chocolate chips: Create melty pockets of chocolate in every bite.
- Powdered sugar: Makes the glaze smooth and sweet for that irresistible finishing touch.
- Milk (for glaze): Adjusts the glaze consistency to perfectly drizzle over the rolls.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a fragrant, sweet note to the glaze.
How to Make Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by mixing the dry ingredients – flour, sugar, instant yeast, and salt – in a large bowl. Pour in the warm milk, melted butter, and the egg, then stir until a soft dough begins to form. Knead this dough by hand or with a dough hook for about 8 to 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. This kneading process is the secret to those wonderfully fluffy rolls! Once ready, place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise for an hour or until it doubles in size. Patience here will pay off with perfect texture.
Step 2: Make the Filling
While your dough is rising, combine the brown sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, and ground cinnamon in a bowl. This blend of spices and chocolate is what makes this recipe so irresistibly delicious. Having the filling ready in advance keeps things moving smoothly once the dough has risen.
Step 3: Roll and Fill the Dough
Once your dough has doubled in size, roll it out gently on a floured surface into a 16×10-inch rectangle. Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough, which will help the filling stick and add a lovely richness. Then sprinkle the chocolate-sugar mixture evenly across, followed by generous mini chocolate chips. These chips will melt during baking for delightful bursts of chocolate throughout each roll.
Step 4: Shape and Cut the Rolls
Carefully roll the dough tightly from the long side into a log. Tight rolling ensures those beautiful swirl shapes. Using a sharp knife, cut the log into 12 equal slices. Placing the slices in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, allow them to sit covered for another 30 to 45 minutes to rise again. This second rise makes the rolls wonderfully airy and tender.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls for 20 to 25 minutes or until they are golden on top and beautifully cooked through. Watching the dough rise and brown gives you all the cozy kitchen vibes!
Step 6: Glaze and Serve
While the rolls are still warm, whisk up the glaze by combining powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle this luscious glaze generously over the hot buns, letting it melt into all the nooks and crannies. This finishing touch sets your Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls Recipe apart and makes them absolutely irresistible.
How to Serve Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra-special touch, sprinkle some additional mini chocolate chips atop the glazed rolls or dust lightly with cocoa powder or cinnamon. A few toasted chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts also add a wonderful crunch that pairs beautifully with the soft, sweet rolls.
Side Dishes
Serve these rolls with a hot cup of coffee or a creamy latte to complement their rich chocolate flavor. For a more indulgent brunch, pair them with fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream. A simple glass of cold milk is also a classic pairing that will never go out of style.
Creative Ways to Present
Try placing rolls in individual ramekins for personal servings or stack them in a tiered dish for a stunning presentation at brunch. You can also drizzle extra glaze in decorative patterns or serve alongside small ramekins of chocolate sauce for dipping. The warm gooey beauty of these rolls speaks for itself, but creative plating can make the experience even more memorable.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover chocolate cinnamon rolls keep well covered at room temperature for up to two days. Store them in an airtight container to keep the rolls soft and prevent the glaze from drying out. If you want the rolls a bit softer than refrigerated options, avoid fridge storage when possible.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked, shaped rolls in the pan by wrapping tightly with plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to one month, then thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Let them come to room temperature and rise before baking. Baked rolls also freeze well when tightly wrapped—reheat later for a fresh-baked feel.
Reheating
Warm your leftover rolls in the microwave for about 20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for 10 minutes. Cover with foil to retain moisture. A quick reheat revives that baked-in softness and melty chocolate goodness beautifully.
FAQs
Can I use regular yeast instead of instant yeast?
Yes, but you will need to activate regular yeast first by dissolving it in warm milk with a pinch of sugar and letting it foam before adding it to the dry ingredients. Instant yeast skips this step and speeds up the process.
How do I make the rolls less sweet?
Reduce the sugar in both the dough and filling slightly, but keep the glaze or cut back on it to control overall sweetness without sacrificing texture.
Can I substitute mini chocolate chips with something else?
Absolutely! You can use chopped chocolate bars, white chocolate chips, or even dried fruit like raisins for a different but equally delicious twist.
Is it necessary to let the dough rise twice?
The two rises are important for light, fluffy rolls. The first rise develops the dough structure, while the second ensures soft, well-aerated rolls with perfectly tender crumb.
Can I add espresso powder to enhance the chocolate flavor?
Yes, adding a pinch of espresso powder to the filling intensifies the chocolate flavor without adding any coffee taste, creating a richer, more complex roll.
Final Thoughts
This Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is truly a winner for anyone who loves a combination of chocolate and warm spices in a comforting bakery treat. It’s surprisingly easy to make and yields soft, gooey rolls that will brighten any morning or special occasion. I encourage you to give this recipe a try and watch your kitchen fill with irresistible aromas and smiles. Nothing says care quite like a homemade chocolate cinnamon roll fresh from the oven.
Print
Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 12 rolls
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these irresistible Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls, featuring a soft, fluffy dough swirled with a rich mixture of brown sugar, cocoa, cinnamon, and mini chocolate chips. Finished with a sweet vanilla glaze, they make the perfect indulgent breakfast or brunch treat.
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
For the filling:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
For the glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, instant yeast, and salt. Add the warm milk, melted unsalted butter, and large egg. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the dough: Knead the dough either by hand or with a dough hook attachment on a mixer for 8 to 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. This step develops gluten to ensure a soft, fluffy texture.
- First rise: Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
- Make the filling: While waiting for the dough to rise, mix together the brown sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, and ground cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Roll out the dough: Once risen, punch down the dough and roll it out on a floured surface into a 16 by 10-inch rectangle.
- Add the filling: Spread the softened unsalted butter evenly over the rolled dough. Sprinkle the chocolate-sugar mixture over the buttered dough, then scatter the mini chocolate chips on top.
- Form the rolls: Starting from the long side, tightly roll the dough into a log shape. Using a sharp knife, cut the log into 12 equal rolls.
- Second rise: Arrange the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover and allow them to rise again for 30 to 45 minutes until puffy.
- Preheat oven: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) while the rolls complete their second rise.
- Bake the rolls: Bake the cinnamon rolls for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Prepare the glaze: While the rolls are still warm, whisk together the powdered sugar, 2 to 3 tablespoons of milk, and vanilla extract to create a smooth glaze.
- Glaze and serve: Drizzle the glaze generously over the warm rolls. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can prep the rolls the night before and refrigerate them after placing in the baking pan. In the morning, let them come to room temperature and rise before baking for fresh results.
- For a richer chocolate flavor, add a pinch of espresso powder to the filling mixture.
