Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls with Espresso Cream Cheese Icing
Indulge in the rich flavors of Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls with Espresso Cream Cheese Icing—an irresistible treat perfect for brunch or dessert. These soft, fluffy rolls harmoniously blend chocolate, cinnamon, and coffee, topped with a creamy espresso icing that elevates this classic recipe. Ideal for cozy mornings or festive gatherings, they are not only delicious but also visually stunning. Customize them with nuts or your favorite chocolate for a personal touch!
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 12 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
- 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)
- 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
- In a stand mixer bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Mix in eggs, butter, and salt. Gradually add flour and cocoa powder; knead until smooth and slightly tacky (5–7 minutes).
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1–1 ½ hours until doubled in size.
- For the filling, mix softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cocoa to form a paste.
- Roll out the dough into a rectangle (12×18 inches), spread filling evenly, sprinkle with chocolate, roll tightly, and slice into 12 pieces.
- Place rolls in a greased baking pan; let rise again for 30–40 minutes.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25–30 minutes until golden brown.
- For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth; gradually add powdered sugar and espresso mixture until fluffy.
- Frost warm rolls before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll (100g)
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 51g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 55mg