Hot Cocoa Cinnamon Rolls
Hot Cocoa Cinnamon Rolls are soft chocolate cinnamon rolls with cocoa dough, a gooey chocolate-chip filling, and fluffy marshmallow cream cheese frosting. Perfect for a cozy holiday breakfast or dessert-style brunch.
Pin Share Print Servings: 12 rolls
Calories: 480kcal
Cost: $$$
Equipment
- 1 9x13 baking dish (greased)
- 1 Stand mixer (or mixing bowl) (dough hook optional)
- 1 Rolling Pin (for shaping dough)
- 1 Mixing bowls (for filling + frosting)
- 1 Hand mixer (for frosting)
- 1 Dental floss or sharp knife (for clean slices)
Ingredients
Chocolate Dough
- 1 cup whole milk - warm, about 110°F
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast - 1 packet
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons butter - melted
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 1 large egg
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
Chocolate Filling
- ½ cup butter - softened
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Marshmallow Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese - softened
- ½ cup marshmallow fluff
- ¼ cup butter - softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
Topping
- mini marshmallows - as needed
- chocolate shavings (or cocoa powder) - as needed
- chocolate syrup - for drizzling
Instructions
- Warm milk to 110°F. Stir in yeast + 1 tablespoon of the sugar. Rest 5 minutes until foamy.
- Add remaining sugar, melted butter, cocoa powder, and egg. Mix until combined.
- Mix in flour and salt until a dough forms. Knead 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place in greased bowl, cover, and rise 60–90 minutes until doubled.
- Beat softened butter, brown sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla until spreadable.
- Roll into a 12x18-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface.
- Spread filling evenly, leaving a 1-inch border. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips over the top.
- Roll into a tight log from the long side. Cut into 12 rolls using floss or a sharp knife.
- Arrange rolls in greased 9x13 dish. Cover and rise 45–60 minutes until puffy.
- Bake at 350°F for 20–25 minutes until set and lightly golden.
- Beat cream cheese, marshmallow fluff, and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, then vanilla + milk to a thick, spreadable texture.
- Spread frosting over warm rolls. Top with mini marshmallows, chocolate shavings, and drizzle with chocolate syrup.
Nutrition
Serving: 1roll | Calories: 480kcal (24%) | Carbohydrates: 64g (21%) | Protein: 7g (14%) | Fat: 22g (34%) | Saturated Fat: 13g (81%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 70mg (23%) | Sodium: 330mg (14%) | Potassium: 180mg (5%) | Fiber: 2g (8%) | Sugar: 38g (42%) | Vitamin A: 650IU (13%) | Vitamin C: 1mg (1%) | Calcium: 70mg (7%) | Iron: 2.5mg (14%)