Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls with Espresso Cream Cheese Icing
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with these Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls topped with Espresso Cream Cheese Icing. Perfect for brunch or a sweet treat any time of day, these rolls combine rich cocoa and warm spices into a soft, fluffy dough that rises beautifully. The decadent coffee-infused frosting adds a delightful finishing touch that makes each bite irresistible. Whether you’re hosting a cozy gathering or simply treating yourself, this recipe is sure to impress.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: Makes 12 servings 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)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- In a stand mixer, combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let it foam for 5 minutes.
- Mix in eggs, softened butter, and salt. Gradually add flour and cocoa powder while kneading until smooth.
- Place dough in a greased bowl and let it rise for 1–1.5 hours until doubled.
- Prepare the filling by mixing softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cocoa.
- Roll out the dough, spread the filling evenly, add chopped chocolate, and roll into a log. Cut into 12 rolls.
- Arrange rolls in a greased pan and let them rise for another 30–40 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown.
- For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth; add powdered sugar, cinnamon, espresso mixture, and salt.
- Frost warm rolls generously before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll (95g)
- Calories: 284
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 225mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 45mg