Chocolate Cinnamon Roll with Espresso Cream Cheese Icing Recipe
Decadent Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls swirled with a rich cocoa filling and topped with a smooth espresso-infused cream cheese icing. These warm, soft rolls combine the comforting sweetness of cinnamon and chocolate with a subtle coffee kick, perfect for an indulgent breakfast or dessert treat.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 cinnamon rolls 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Baked Goods
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 240 g whole milk (1 cup, warmed to 110°F)
- 2 ¼ tsp instant yeast (1 packet)
- 50 g granulated sugar (¼ cup)
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 115 g unsalted butter (½ cup, softened)
- 1 tsp salt
- 570 g all-purpose flour (4 3/4 cups)
- 30 g unsweetened cocoa powder (¼ cup)
Filling Ingredients
- 113 g unsalted butter (½ cup, softened)
- 200 g brown sugar (1 cup, packed)
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 50 g semi-sweet chocolate (finely chopped or mini chips)
Espresso Cream Cheese Icing
- 225 g cream cheese (8 oz, room temperature)
- 60 g unsalted butter (¼ cup, room temperature)
- 240 g powdered sugar (2 cups, sifted)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tsp instant espresso powder (dissolved in 1 tbsp milk or cream)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Make the dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the warm milk, instant yeast, and granulated sugar. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active. Add in the eggs, softened butter, and salt, mixing to combine. Gradually add the all-purpose flour and cocoa powder, kneading with the dough hook attachment for 5–7 minutes until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky. Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise for 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until doubled in size.
- Prepare the filling: In a bowl, stir together the softened butter, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and cocoa powder until a smooth, spreadable paste forms. This will provide the rich, chocolate-cinnamon center for the rolls.
- Shape the rolls: Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release air. Roll the dough out on a floured surface into a 12 by 18-inch rectangle. Evenly spread the prepared filling over the dough’s surface, then sprinkle the finely chopped semi-sweet chocolate or mini chips on top. Starting from the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Cut the log into 12 even rolls using a sharp knife or dental floss.
- Second rise: Place the rolls evenly spaced in a greased 9×13-inch baking pan. Cover the pan with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let the rolls rise in a warm place for 30 to 40 minutes, until they puff up noticeably. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake: Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. The rolls are done when the centers are set and the tops are lightly golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before frosting.
- Make the frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and softened butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, ground cinnamon, dissolved espresso powder mixture, and a pinch of salt. Beat everything together until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Frost & serve: Spread the espresso cream cheese frosting generously over the warm cinnamon rolls. Serve immediately for the best gooey, melty experience. Optionally, garnish with chocolate curls or flakes for an elegant touch.
Notes
- For best flavor, use whole milk warmed to about 110°F to activate the yeast without killing it.
- Allow dough to rise in a warm, draft-free spot to ensure proper fermentation.
- Cut rolls evenly to ensure consistent baking and presentation.
- The espresso powder enhances the depth of the chocolate flavor in the frosting.
- Rolls can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for longer freshness; reheat before serving.
- Optional toppings such as chocolate curls add a decorative touch and extra chocolate flavor.
Keywords: Chocolate cinnamon rolls, espresso cream cheese icing, homemade cinnamon rolls, chocolate breakfast pastry, coffee flavored frosting, baked cinnamon buns
