Easy Chocolate Rolls

If you are going to make a chocolate dessert, I believe you should go all the way. No half-measures! These Triple Chocolate Rolls are unapologetically indulgent. We have cocoa in the fluffy yeast dough, a semi-sweet chocolate chip filling, and a luscious chocolate glaze on top. It is a decadent breakfast pastry that is rich, gooey, and definitely requires a tall glass of cold milk.

These outrageously rich and indulgent chocolate sweet rolls come together with a buttery soft fresh homemade dough and brown sugar chocolate filling. They're fluffy, sweet, and full of delicious chocolate chips, making them perfect for date night snacks, an afternoon snack, or breakfast for school when you want something special.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love These Chocolate Rolls
• Ingredients for Chocolate Rolls
• How to Make Chocolate Rolls
• My Top Tips for This Recipe
• Little Moments in the Kitchen
• Substitutions for Chocolate Rolls
• Variations on Chocolate Rolls
• Equipment for Chocolate Rolls
• Storage Tips for Chocolate Rolls
• Adam's Tip for Chocolate Rolls
• FAQ about Chocolate Rolls
• Conclusion
• Related
• Pairing
• recipe

Why You'll Love These Chocolate Rolls

• Triple chocolate goodness – Make triple-chocolate cinnamon rolls with a chocolate dough, chocolate filling, and chocolate icing. These rolls are deliciously decadent and loaded with chocolate from start to finish.
• Easier than you think – This easy chocolate rolls recipe is one of those fast baking recipes that looks impressive but is actually simple. Even if you've never worked with yeast dough before, this chocolate rolls recipe walks you through every step.
• Make-ahead friendly – Prep these the night before and bake them fresh in the morning, or freeze them for later. Perfect for quick things to bake when you need something impressive fast or last minute desserts that wow.

Ingredients for Chocolate Rolls

This chocolate cinnamon rolls recipe uses simple ingredients to create rich-and-fluffy dough and a brown-sugar chocolate filling that melts into every layer. Whether you're making chocolate rolls with cocoa powder for the first time or you're a seasoned baker, these ingredients are straightforward.

What You'll Need

For the Chocolate Dough:

• 1 cup whole milk, warmed to 110°F
• 2¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon salt

For the Chocolate Filling:

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
• 1 cup mini chocolate chips

For the Chocolate Cream-Cheese Frosting:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons Dutch-process cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Why These Ingredients Matter

• Dutch-process cocoa powder – This type of cocoa gives the rolls a deeper, richer chocolate flavor and darker color. It's less acidic than regular cocoa powder, which makes it perfect for creating chocolate bread rolls that taste like they came from a bakery.
• Brown sugar – The molasses in brown sugar adds moisture and a subtle caramel flavor that pairs beautifully with chocolate. It also helps create that soft, gooey texture in the chocolate rolls filling.
• Mini chocolate chips – These melt into the filling as the rolls bake, creating pockets of melted chocolate throughout. You can also use chocolate wafer rolls pieces or chocolate rolls sticks broken into small pieces for variety.

How to Make Chocolate Rolls

Making these homemade chocolate cinnamon rolls is easier than you might think. This is the perfect cinnamon roll recipe with a chocolate twist. The key is giving the dough time to rise properly and rolling it out into an even rectangle so the filling spreads smoothly.

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Activate the yeast – In a large bowl, combine warm milk and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast on top and let sit for 5 mins until it gets foamy. This means your yeast is alive and ready to work.
2. Mix the dough – Add the melted butter and egg to the yeast mixture. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until a soft dough forms.
3. Knead the dough – Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until it's smooth and elastic. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook for 4-5 minutes. This creates the base for perfect cinnamon rolls with chocolate.
4. First rise – Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours until doubled in size.
5. Make the filling – While the dough rises, you can make the chocolate rolls filling using a double boiler chocolate filling method if you want extra richness. Simply melt the butter with brown sugar and cocoa powder in a double boiler until smooth, or just mix the softened butter, brown sugar, and cocoa powder until it forms a spreadable paste. Set aside.
6. Roll out the dough – Punch down the risen dough and roll it into a large rectangle, about 12x16 inches. Spread the chocolate filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Sprinkle the mini chocolate chips over the filling. You can also add chocolate rolls cadbury pieces or chopped chocolate wafer for extra texture.
7. Roll and cut – Starting from the long side, tightly roll the dough into a log. Use a sharp knife or dental floss to cut the log into 12 equal pieces. For chocolate rolls sticks, cut them slightly thinner for a crispier edge.
8. Second rise – Place the rolls in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, cover, and let rise for 30-45 minutes until puffy. This step creates those soft, gooey sweet rolls everyone loves.
9. Bake – Preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes until they're set and the edges are slightly firm. If you want chocolate rolls crispy on the edges, bake for an extra 3-5 minutes.
10. Make the frosting – While the rolls bake, beat together the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, milk, and vanilla until smooth and creamy. For an espresso glaze variation, add 1 tablespoon of strong brewed coffee.
11. Frost and serve – Let the rolls cool for 5-10 minutes, then spread the chocolate cream-cheese frosting generously over the warm rolls. These are best served warm when the chocolate is still melty.

Hint: Don't skip the second rise. This is what makes the rolls extra fluffy and soft. If you rush this step, the rolls will be dense instead of light and pillowy. This is the secret to perfect rolls every time.

Little Moments in the Kitchen

The first time I made these chocolate sweet rolls, Adam walked into the kitchen while I was rolling out the dough. "Are you making cinnamon rolls?" he asked. I told him they were even better, chocolate rolls. His eyes lit up. "Wait, so it's like a cinnamon roll but with chocolate instead?"

Exactly. I let him help me sprinkle the chocolate chips over the filling, and of course, a few "accidentally" ended up in his mouth. When the rolls came out of the oven and I frosted them, he grabbed one before they'd even cooled properly. "Mom, these are way better than boxed cinnamon rolls," he said with his mouth full. "These are like German chocolate cinnamon rolls but even better!" I had to agree. They've become one of our favorite cinnamonroll recipes.

Substitutions for Chocolate Rolls

• Cocoa powder: If you don't have Dutch-process cocoa powder, regular unsweetened cocoa powder works fine for these chocolate rolls with cocoa powder. The flavor will be slightly less rich but still delicious.
• Chocolate chips: Swap mini chocolate chips for chopped chocolate bars, chocolate wafer rolls pieces, chocolate rolls sticks broken into chunks, or even chocolate rolls cadbury pieces for a different flavor. You can also use chocolate chip rolls style by pressing whole chips into the dough.
• Frosting: Use a simple espresso glaze instead of cream cheese frosting by mixing powdered sugar with strong brewed coffee and a splash of vanilla. This creates a lighter topping that's perfect for sweet pastries with chocolate.

Variations on Chocolate Rolls

• Double chocolate rolls: Make the dough extra chocolatey by adding ¼ cup mini chocolate chips directly into the dough before the first rise. This creates truly decadent cinnamon rolls with chocolate in every bite.
• Hot chocolate cinnamon rolls: Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the filling and top with mini marshmallows along with the frosting for a hot chocolate cinnamon rolls recipe twist. This variation is perfect for recipe videos desserts and always gets great reactions.
• Chocolate chip cookie cinnamon rolls: Press chocolate chip cookie dough pieces into the filling before rolling for an indulgent mashup. You can also make chocolate chip crescent rolls by using crescent roll dough as a shortcut base.

If you're looking for more special cinnamon rolls recipes, check out our Amish Cinnamon Bread for another sweet bread that's perfect for breakfast.

Equipment for Chocolate Rolls

• Stand mixer with dough hook (optional) – Makes kneading easier, but you can absolutely knead by hand. It just takes a few extra minutes. This is essential for making perfect cinnamon rolls consistently.
• Rolling pin – Essential for rolling the dough into an even rectangle. A wine bottle works in a pinch if you don't have a rolling pin. This helps create uniform chocolate bread rolls.
• 9x13-inch baking dish – The perfect size for 12 rolls with just enough space for them to rise and bake together while staying soft and gooey. This works for most dessert rolls recipe variations.

Storage Tips for Chocolate Rolls

• Store leftover rolls covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. These cinnamon rolls with chocolate taste amazing even the next day.
• These make-ahead sweet rolls can be assembled the night before. After cutting the rolls, place them in the baking dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, then bake as directed.
• You can also freeze sweet rolls before or after baking. Freeze unbaked rolls on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding 5-10 extra minutes to the baking time. You can even make chocolate sourdough cinnamon rolls by using sourdough starter in place of commercial yeast for a tangier flavor.

Want a cozy drink to go with your chocolate rolls? Try our Homemade Cookie Butter Latte for the perfect pairing with these homemade pastries on wooden board.

FAQ about Chocolate Rolls

Conclusion

There is no such thing as "too much chocolate," right? I hope you enjoy every single layer of cocoa goodness in these rolls. Go ahead and lick the sticky chocolate off your fingers, that's the best part! These easy chocolate rolls are perfect for fast baking recipes when you want something impressive, and they work beautifully as homemade pastries on wooden board for entertaining.

Give this chocolate rolls recipe a try and watch them disappear. Whether you're making them for a weekend brunch, as a sweet treat for breakfast, or as an indulgent dessert, they never disappoint. They're one of the best chocolate rolls recipes you'll find, combining the comfort of decadent cinnamon rolls with the richness of chocolate in every layer. For more inspiration on chocolate desserts, check out this Chocolate Swiss Roll recipe that shows another delicious way to enjoy chocolate in rolled form.

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Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with Chocolate Rolls :

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