Easy Chocolate Rolls

How to make this easy chocolate rolls recipe at home, packed with a delicious buttery chocolate brown sugar mixture and served with a dark chocolate sauce. This easy recipe is great for snack time, breakfast, or a family brunch.

Jump to:

• Why you'll love this recipe
• Ingredients You Need
• How To Make Homemade Chocolate Rolls
• Serving suggestions
• Tips for this recipe
• Storage instructions
• Variations & Substitutions
• Recipe Questions
• More Rolls Recipes
• Chocolate Rolls

If you love rolled buns filled with sweet chocolate sauce, then you'll love this homemade chocolate rolls recipe with its sweet chocolate filling and hot chocolate sauce.

These little buns are very similar to cinnamon rolls but with less cinnamon and a double dose of chocolate unlike the traditional cinnamon roll recipe filled with a brown sugar chocolate filling and served with a hot chocolate icing.

Chocolate rolls are very easy to make at home and perfect for any occasion, we like to eat them hot for breakfast or for an after-school snack.

Ingredients You Need

You need these ingredients to make these chocolate sweet rolls:

Brioche dough

• Flour: Use all-purpose flour or bread flour for best results.
• Milk: Whole milk or 2% milk is ideal, but you can also use water or a plant-based milk.
• Butter: Unsalted butter, softened or melted butter and slightly cooled, gives the brioche a rich flavor.
• Yeast: Instant yeast or dry active yeast rehydrated in warm liquid, or fresh yeast if available.
• Sugar: Granulated white sugar or light brown sugar, depending on your preference.
• Egg: At room temperature for easy mixing.
• Salt: Table salt to enhance the flavor.

Chocolate filling

• Butter: Use preferably unsalted and softened sugar to have a very smooth mixture.
• Sugar: Only brown sugar which perfumes perfectly the chocolate sauce.
• Cacao: Use natural unsweetened cocoa powder or a Dutch process cocoa powder.
• Vanilla: a pure vanilla extract for the flavor.
• Chocolate: mini chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate chunks.
• Optional: Add cinnamon ground to make a chocolate cinnamon roll filling.

How To Make Homemade Chocolate Rolls

Here are some quick visual instructions. Don't forget that full recipe instructions with exact ingredients can be found in the recipe card below!

Step 1: In the large mixing bowl of your stand mixer equipped with the dough hook attachment, mix together the flour, salt, yeast, and granulated sugar. With the mixer running, slowly pour in the warm milk.

Step 2: Add the softened butter and the egg, and continue kneading the dough at medium speed for 5 to 7 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. Cover the large bowl with a tea towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

Step 3: Punch down the dough on a lightly floured surface, then roll it out with a rolling pin to form a large rectangle.

Step 4: Start by mixing together all the ingredients, the brown sugar, the unsweetened cocoa powder, vanilla extract and the melted butter.

Step 5: Spread chocolate filling evenly over the entire surface, then tightly roll the dough into a long log and use a knife or dental floss to cut the log into 12 equal pieces.

Step 6: Place the roll dough pieces in a large, buttered baking dish or pie dish grease with a cooking spray, spacing them slightly apart. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let site again for the second rise for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Step 7: Bake the rolled brioche in a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for about 30 minutes, until golden brown on top.

Serving suggestions

• Warm with Whipped Cream: Serve the chocolate rolls warm with a dollop of freshly whipped cream for a light, creamy contrast.
• Top with Fresh Berries: Add a handful of fresh strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries on the side to complement the rich chocolate flavor.
• Drizzle with Chocolate Sauce: Pour extra chocolate sauce over the rolls for an even more indulgent treat.
• Add a Scoop of Ice Cream: Pair the warm chocolate rolls with a scoop of vanilla, chocolate, or coffee ice cream for a delicious dessert.
• Dust with Powdered Sugar: Lightly dust the rolls with powdered sugar before serving for a simple yet elegant presentation.
• Sprinkle with Nuts: Garnish with chopped nuts like pecans, walnuts, or hazelnuts for added crunch and flavor.
• Layer with Cream Cheese Frosting: Spread a layer of cream cheese frosting over the top of the rolls for a rich and tangy twist.

Storage instructions

Room Temperature: Chocolate sweet rolls be stored at room temperature in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 5 days.

Freezing: You can also freeze them for up to 3 months by placing them in a freezer bag or a freezer-safe container.

Recipe Questions

Can I make chocolate rolls ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and shape the rolls the night before. Let them rise in the fridge overnight, and bake them fresh in the morning.

Can I add other ingredients to the filling?

Yes, feel free to add ingredients like nuts, chocolate chips, or even a sprinkle of cinnamon to enhance the flavor.

How do I prevent the chocolate filling from leaking out?

Ensure you roll the dough tightly and pinch the seams well to seal the filling inside.

Can I make a vegan version of chocolate rolls?

Yes, simply substitute the butter, milk, and eggs with plant-based alternatives, and use vegan chocolate for the filling.

How do I know when the chocolate rolls are done baking?

The rolls are done when they’re golden brown on top and the internal temperature reaches around 190°F (88°C). The chocolate filling should be melted and gooey.

More Rolls Recipes

I hope you love this Chocolate roll recipe. If you make it, be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Happy Baking!

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