These chocolate cinnamon rolls are the perfect indulgent treat, combining the rich flavor of cocoa with the warmth of cinnamon. The soft, fluffy dough is enhanced with a luscious filling of butter, brown sugar, cocoa, and cinnamon, creating a mouth-watering swirl in every bite. Topped with a smooth and velvety chocolate cream cheese frosting, these rolls are the ultimate dessert or special breakfast to satisfy your sweet cravings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you’re a fan of both chocolate and cinnamon, this recipe is your dream come true. The cocoa-infused dough paired with a sweet, spiced filling creates a delightful combination of flavors. The chocolate cream cheese frosting adds a tangy richness that balances the sweetness perfectly. You’ll love how these rolls melt in your mouth with every bite, and the added cocoa powder takes traditional cinnamon rolls to a whole new level of decadence.
Perfect Occasion
These chocolate cinnamon rolls are perfect for a weekend brunch, a holiday breakfast, or as a dessert to impress your guests. They’re a show-stopping treat for special occasions like birthdays or family gatherings. You can also serve them as an afternoon snack with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate on a cozy, cold day. Whether you’re making them for a crowd or just for yourself, they’re sure to be a hit!
Decoration Tips
For a beautiful finish, drizzle the chocolate frosting generously over the warm rolls right after they come out of the oven. You can top them with a sprinkle of cocoa powder or cinnamon for extra flavor and visual appeal. If you’re feeling adventurous, add some chopped nuts or mini chocolate chips on top of the frosting for a crunchy contrast. Serve them warm for the best experience, and watch them disappear in no time.
Ingredients for the Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 to 1 ¼ cups warm milk (added gradually)
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 60g unsalted butter, room temperature
For the Filling:
- 70g unsalted butter, room temperature
- ¾ cup soft brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
For the Chocolate Frosting:
- 100g cream cheese
- 50g unsalted butter
- ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 4 tablespoons heavy cream (add more for a thinner consistency)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, yeast, and salt. Gradually add the warm milk, mixing until the dough starts to come together.
- Add the softened butter and knead the dough until smooth and elastic. This can take about 10 minutes of kneading.
- Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
- Prepare the Filling:
- Once the dough has risen, roll it out into a rectangle on a floured surface.
- Spread the room-temperature butter over the dough.
- In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon, and cocoa powder. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the buttered dough.
- Shape the Rolls:
- Roll the dough tightly from one long edge to the other to form a log.
- Slice the log into equal-sized rolls and place them in a greased baking dish.
- Cover the rolls and let them rise again for about 30 minutes.
- Bake the Rolls:
- Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F).
- Bake the rolls for 25 minutes, or until golden and fully cooked through.
- Make the Frosting:
- While the rolls are baking, melt the chocolate chips and butter together in the microwave.
- Once melted, stir in the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and heavy cream until smooth and creamy. Add more cream if you prefer a thinner consistency.
- Finish the Rolls:
- Once the rolls are out of the oven, generously spread the chocolate frosting over them while they are still warm.
Enjoy your delicious, indulgent chocolate cinnamon rolls with the perfect balance of cinnamon, chocolate, and creamy frosting!
