Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls with Nutella Icing
Chocolate cinnamon rolls are a decadent twist on the classic, combining rich cocoa-infused dough with a luscious cinnamon-sugar filling. Topped with a smooth Nutella icing, these rolls are perfect for a special breakfast or dessert.
Prep Time 45 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Resting 2 hours hrs
Total Time 3 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Course Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine American
For the Tangzhong
- 20 g all-purpose flour
- 100 ml milk
- For the Dough
- 200 ml milk
- 5 g instant yeast or 10g active dry yeast
- 480 g all-purpose flour
- 100 g granulated sugar
- 45 g cocoa powder
- 3 g 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 large egg
- 42 g 3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
For the Filling
- 70 g unsalted butter softened
- 70 g dark brown sugar
- 7 g 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
For the Nutella Icing
- 2 tbsp Nutella spread
- 30 g powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 30 ml milk adjust as needed
Prepare the Tangzhong
In a small saucepan, combine 20g of flour and 100ml of milk. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens into a smooth paste. Remove from heat, cover, and set aside to cool.
Make the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine 480g flour, 3g salt, 45g cocoa powder, 5g instant yeast (or activated 10g active dry yeast), and 100g granulated sugar. Mix briefly to combine.
If using active dry yeast, dissolve it in 200ml of lukewarm milk and let it sit for about 10 minutes until foamy, then add to the dry ingredients. If using instant yeast, add the milk directly to the dry ingredients along with one large egg and the cooled tangzhong paste.
Mix the ingredients using a dough hook attachment on a stand mixer or by hand until there are no dry patches of flour visible. Cover the dough and let it rest for 10 minutes.
Prepare the Filling
While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. Combine 70g softened butter, 70g dark brown sugar, and 7g ground cinnamon in a bowl. Mix until smooth and spreadable. If necessary, microwave for a few seconds to soften further.
Slice the Rolls
Using dental floss or a very sharp knife, trim about 1/4 inch off each end of the dough log. Slice the remaining dough into 9 equal pieces (about 1.5 inches thick) and place them in a greased 14x14 inch square pan. If using a 9x13 inch pan, you can stretch the dough slightly and cut thinner pieces to make 12 rolls. Cover the pan and let the rolls proof for 30-45 minutes, or until they are puffy and a slight indentation remains when gently pressed with a finger.
Prepare the Nutella Icing
As the rolls are baking, prepare the Nutella icing. In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp Nutella, 30g powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, and 30ml milk. Stir until smooth, adding more milk if necessary to reach the desired consistency.
- Measuring Ingredients: For best results, use a kitchen scale to measure your ingredients accurately.
- Handling Dough: The dough should be tacky but not overly sticky. Avoid adding extra flour to maintain the desired texture.
- Rolling and Cutting: Using dental floss to slice the dough helps maintain the shape and prevent squishing.
Keyword Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls with Nutella Icing