Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls 🍫🍩
Indulge in the perfect combination of chocolate and cinnamon with these decadent Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls. This delightful twist on a classic treat features rich chocolate dough, a luscious cocoa-cinnamon filling, and a smooth chocolate glaze that will satisfy your sweet tooth. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, these rolls are sure to become a favorite in your household.
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar (133g)
- 2 Tbsp black cocoa (14g)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon (3g)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (56g) – to be spread on the dough
For the Dough:
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour + up to 1/2 cup additional flour to be added later in the process (406-500g)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (50g)
- 2 tsp or 1 packet instant dry yeast (7g, 1/4 oz.)
- 1 tsp salt (6g)
- 1 tsp instant espresso or coffee (2g)
- 1 cup whole milk (240ml)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (56g)
- 1 large egg, room temperature (56g)
For the Glaze:
- 1 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature (8g)
- 2/3 cup milk or dark chocolate chips (120g)
- 3 Tbsp whole milk (45ml)
- 1 cup powdered sugar (125g)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (4ml)
Instructions
For the Filling:
- While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. In a medium-sized bowl, mix together 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of black cocoa, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Set aside. 🍂🍫
For the Dough:
- Preheat your oven to 200°F (95°C). 🔥
- In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine 3 1/4 cups of flour, 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 packet instant yeast (or about 2 teaspoons), 1 tsp instant coffee, and 1 tsp salt. 🥄
- In a separate bowl, add 1 cup of milk, 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, and 1/4 cup of softened butter. Heat in the microwave on high power for 60-90 seconds until warm to the touch. Stir to combine. 🥛🍶
- Slowly add the warm milk mixture to the flour mixture, and mix on medium speed with a dough hook until the dough comes together. Add in one large egg and mix on low speed until a sticky dough ball forms. 🍳
- Continue mixing on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until the dough becomes more elastic. As the dough mixes, add additional flour 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough begins to leave the sides of the bowl. The dough should feel tacky but not sticky. 🥣
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rest for 15 minutes. This allows the gluten in the dough to relax, making it easier to roll out. 🌬️
- Generously flour your counter and roll the dough ball into a large rectangle, 12 inches x 18 inches, about 1/2 cm thick. Spread 1/4 cup of softened butter over the dough, leaving 1 inch on the long side of the rectangle uncovered. 🧈
- Sprinkle the chocolate cinnamon roll filling evenly over the buttered area, and pat down with the back of a spoon or spatula. 🍫🥄
- Tightly roll the dough horizontally toward the uncovered strip. Cut the dough log into 9 equal pieces with dental floss (or more pieces for smaller cinnamon rolls) and place them in a greased square pan (8in x 8in). 🔪
- Turn the oven off. Cover the cinnamon roll pan with foil and place it in the oven for 30 minutes, or until the cinnamon rolls have risen. 🕒
- Remove the pan from the oven and take off the foil. Turn the oven back on and heat to 350°F (175°C). 🔥
- Once the oven has preheated, bake for 26-32 minutes. The ideal bake time is around 28 minutes, but this can vary based on how gooey or baked through you prefer your cinnamon rolls. ⏲️
For the Glaze:
- To make the glaze, place 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter, 2/3 cup of milk or dark chocolate chips, and 3 tablespoons of whole milk in a medium-sized bowl. Heat in the microwave on medium-high heat (power level 7) for 60 seconds. 🥄
- Stir the mixture until all the chocolate is melted. Add in 1 cup of powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, mixing until smooth. 🍫
- Let the cinnamon rolls cool for 5-10 minutes, then drizzle the chocolate glaze over them. Serve warm. 🍩🍫
Nutrition and Servings
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cooking Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Calories: 450 Kcal per serving
- Servings: 9 servings
Enjoy these rich and indulgent Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls warm, with a cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk. Perfect for satisfying your chocolate cravings any time of day!

Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls 🍫🍩
- Total Time: 50min
- Yield: 9 1x
Ingredients
For the filling:
2/3 cup packed light brown sugar (133g)
2 Tbsp black cocoa (14g)
1 tsp ground cinnamon (3g)
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (56g) – to be spread on the dough
For the dough:
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour + up to 1/2 cup additional flour to be added later in process (406-500g)
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (50g)
2 tsp or 1 packet instant dry yeast (7g, 1/4 oz.)
1 tsp salt (6g)
1 tsp instant espresso or coffee (2g)
1 cup whole milk (240ml)
1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (56g)
1 large egg, room temperature (56g)
For the glaze:
1 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature (8g)
2/3 cup milk or dark chocolate chips (120g)
3 Tbsp whole milk (45ml)
1 cup powdered sugar (125g)
1 tsp vanilla extract (4ml)
Instructions
For the filling:
1️⃣ While the dough rises, make the chocolate cinnamon roll filling. In a medium-sized bowl, mix together 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of black cocoa, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, then set aside. 🍂🍫
For the dough:
2️⃣ Preheat your oven to 200°F (95°C). 🔥
3️⃣ In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine 3 1/4 cups of flour, 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 packet instant yeast (or about 2 teaspoons), 1 tsp instant coffee, and 1 tsp salt. 🥄
4️⃣ In a separate bowl, add 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 cup softened butter into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on high power for 60-90 seconds, until the mixture is warm to the touch. Stir to combine the ingredients. 🥛🍶
5️⃣ Slowly add the warm milk mixture into the flour mixture and mix on medium speed with a dough hook until the dough comes together. Add in one large egg and mix on a low speed until a sticky dough ball forms. 🍳
6️⃣ Continue to mix on medium speed for 2-3 minutes, until the dough becomes more elastic. As the dough mixes, add additional flour 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough begins to leave the sides of the bowl. The dough should feel tacky but not sticky. 🥣
7️⃣ Cover your bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rest for 15 minutes. This allows the gluten in the dough to relax a bit, making it easier to roll out. 🌬️
8️⃣ Generously flour your counter and roll your dough ball into a large rectangle, 12 inches x 18 inches. It should be about 1/2 cm thick. Spread 1/4 cup of softened butter over the dough, leaving 1 inch on the long side of the rectangle uncovered. This will make it easier to seal the log once it’s rolled. 🧈
9️⃣ Sprinkle the chocolate cinnamon roll filling evenly over the buttered area, and pat down with the back of a spoon or spatula. 🍫🥄
🔟 Tightly roll the dough horizontally, toward the uncovered strip. Cut dough log into 9 equal pieces with dental floss (or more pieces if you want smaller/shorter cinnamon rolls), and place in a greased square pan (8in x 8in). 🔪
1️⃣1️⃣ Turn the oven off. Cover the cinnamon roll pan with foil and place in the oven for 30 minutes (or until the cinnamon rolls have risen). 🕒
1️⃣2️⃣ Remove the pan from the oven and take off the tinfoil. Turn the oven back on and heat to 350°F (175°C). 🔥
1️⃣3️⃣ Once the oven has preheated, bake for 26-32 minutes. I find the sweet spot in my oven is about 28 minutes. Bake time can vary based on how gooey or baked through you like your cinnamon rolls. ⏲️
For the glaze:
1️⃣4️⃣ To make the cinnamon roll frosting, place 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter, 2/3 cup milk or dark chocolate chips, and 3 tablespoons of whole milk in a medium-sized bowl. Heat in the microwave on medium-high heat (power level 7) for 60 seconds. 🥄
1️⃣5️⃣ Stir the mixture together with a spoon or whisk, making sure all the chocolate is melted. Add in 1 cup of powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix together until smooth. 🍫
1️⃣6️⃣ Let the cinnamon rolls cool for 5-10 minutes, then drizzle the chocolate glaze over the cinnamon rolls. Serve warm. 🍩🍫
- Prep Time: 20min
- Cook Time: 30min
Nutrition
- Calories: 450 Kcal