Time is something I never seem to have enough of and, as a result, I am a chronic multitasker. I cannot simply just talk on the phone—I need to talk AND unload the dishwasher, AND attend to a pile of laundry that’s been giving me the evil eye for the past three days WHILE devouring some Coffee Cake Muffins for dessert. Acute (if self-imposed) busyness might be at the root of my multitasking, much of which is spent with my face glued to a screen (as I dream up a recipe for the BEST Apple Bread). Whenever I find myself needing a little less screen time in my day, I turn to baking. Some days, it’s Healthy Banana Bread other days call for something a bit more decadent. Today is one of those days and chocolate cinnamon rolls are my escape.
How to Make Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls
These chocolate cinnamon rolls have a deep and rich filling accented with heavenly chai spices of warm cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and candied ginger. With a dough that is soft, fluffy, and tinted with spices and a sweet subtly chai-spiced glaze that is drippy and decadent, these chocolate cinnamon rolls will easily become a family weekend brunch favorite (as will these Chocolate Muffins).
The Ingredients
Flour. A blend of whole wheat white flour and all-purpose flour gives these rolls the perfect balance between fluffy and whole grain healthy.Yeast. Instant yeast that can be mixed right in with the other dry ingredients makes preparing the chocolate cinnamon roll dough a breeze.Butter + Egg. Enrich the dough with fat and flavor for tender, soft cinnamon rolls that just melt in your mouth (like these Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting).Sugar. Sweetens the dough and also contributes to its tenderness.Vanilla. Adds a pleasant aroma and smooth taste to the dough.Chocolate. Finely chopped chocolate fills every nook and cranny of these decadent swirled sweet rolls.Candied Ginger. Adds a little gingery bite to the filling that pairs perfectly with the chocolate and chai spices.Spices. Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, a pinch of cardamom, and a dash of black pepper make for a warm, soulful blend of spices that will fool you into thinking you’re sipping on a steaming chai latte with your cinnamon roll.Powdered Sugar. Mixed with half-and-half, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves creates the BEST cinnamon roll glaze you’ll ever drizzle over your sweet rolls.
The Directions
Make-Ahead Option
For the second rise, rather than let the rolls rise at room temperature, you can cover the pans loosely with plastic wrap lightly coated in cooking spray, then place in the refrigerator to let rise overnight. Let rolls sit at room temperature 15 minutes before baking. So let’s put the cell phones away, and give each other the best gift of all: quality time with each other…and a pan of chocolate cinnamon rolls.
