Indulge in the rich and sumptuous flavor of these homemade chocolate rolls, topped with a velvety cream cheese glaze. Perfect for a decadent breakfast treat or a sweet end to any meal, these rolls are a chocolate lover's dream come true. With only a handful of simple ingredients and some patience, you can create a bakery-quality dessert in your own kitchen.
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 5 cups all-purpose or bread flour
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ¼ cups milk, room temperature
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
For the Chocolate Filling:
- 3 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 5.3 ounces dark chocolate, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
For the Chocolate Cream Cheese Glaze:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 4.2 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder
Instructions:
- Dough Prep:
- In your mixer's bowl, whisk together flour, yeast, sugar, and then stir in the salt.
- Add the eggs, lukewarm milk, and cooled melted butter. Mix on low until a dough starts to form. Knead on medium for 8 minutes until it's smooth and elastic.
- Let the dough rest, covered, until it doubles in size, about 1-2 hours.
- Chocolate Filling:
- In a small bowl, blend together the room-temperature butter, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, vanilla, and chopped dark chocolate. Heat in the microwave until the chocolate is melted, then stir until smooth.
- Mix in cinnamon if desired.
- Roll and Fill:
- Roll out the risen dough on a floured surface to a ¼-inch thick rectangle.
- Spread the chocolate mixture over the dough, then roll it up into a tight log. Seal the seam and cut into 12 even pieces.
- Arrange the rolls in a greased baking pan and let them rise again until puffy.
- Bake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Bake the risen rolls for 20-25 minutes until they're set and the tops are just turning golden. Don't overbake to keep them moist.
- Cream Cheese Glaze:
- While the rolls are baking, whip together the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract until creamy and smooth.
- Serve:
- Once the rolls are slightly cooled, spread the cream cheese glaze over the top.
- Serve warm for a melt-in-your-mouth chocolate experience.
Notes:
- Remember to use room-temperature ingredients for the dough to ensure even mixing.
- Accurately measure your flour using the spoon-and-level technique to avoid heavy rolls.
- Be careful not to overheat the milk, which could harm the yeast and affect the rise of your dough.
- Always check the freshness of your baking essentials like yeast and baking powder for the best rise and texture.
- Let the dough rise until it's doubled for the fluffiest rolls.
- Test your yeast by proofing it in warm water with a pinch of sugar; if it bubbles, it's active and ready to use.
Enjoy your homemade chocolate rolls, an irresistibly rich and comforting treat that combines the tender texture of classic rolls with the deep flavor of chocolate, all finished with a luscious cream cheese glaze.
