Double Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls (Printable Version)

Soft, fluffy rolls swirled with chocolate-cinnamon filling and topped with decadent chocolate glaze.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
03 - 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) instant yeast
04 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1 cup whole milk, warmed
07 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
08 - 1 large egg, room temperature

→ Filling

09 - 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
10 - 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
11 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
12 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
13 - 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips or chopped chocolate

→ Chocolate Glaze

14 - 1 cup powdered sugar
15 - 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
16 - 2-3 tablespoons whole milk
17 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Combine flour, cocoa powder, yeast, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
02 - Pour in warm milk, melted butter, and egg. Stir until a sticky dough forms.
03 - Knead by hand or stand mixer for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
04 - Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm area until doubled, approximately 1 hour.
05 - Punch down dough and roll into a 16x12-inch rectangle on a floured surface.
06 - Spread softened butter evenly across the rolled dough.
07 - Mix brown sugar, cocoa powder, and cinnamon. Sprinkle mixture over buttered dough.
08 - Scatter dark chocolate chips over the sugar-cinnamon layer.
09 - Roll dough tightly from the long edge into a log. Cut into 12 equal pieces.
10 - Arrange rolls in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise until puffy, 30-45 minutes.
11 - Heat oven to 350°F.
12 - Bake for 22-25 minutes until rolls are set and lightly browned.
13 - Whisk powdered sugar, cocoa powder, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
14 - Drizzle chocolate glaze generously over warm rolls before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The dough stays incredibly soft thanks to cocoa powder, which actually tenderizes gluten while adding deep chocolate flavor
  • These freeze beautifully before baking, so you can wake up to homemade rolls on hectic weekdays
  • The chocolate glaze transforms them from breakfast into dessert whenever the mood strikes
02 -
  • Warm milk should feel like bath temperature, about 105°F, anything hotter can kill the yeast
  • Letting the dough rise in a turned off oven with just the light on creates the perfect warm, draft free environment
  • Use unflavored dental floss or fishing line to slice clean rolls without squishing the spiral
03 -
  • If the dough feels too sticky to handle, dust your hands with flour instead of adding more to the dough
  • Rotate the baking dish halfway through baking for even browning, especially if your oven has hot spots

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