Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

By littlefish

These rolls are different from the regular cinnamon rolls. When I take them to my morning bowling league, they are quickly scarfed up.—Myrna Sippel, Thompson, Illinois

Ingredients

• FILLING:
• Ingredients
• 2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
• 1-1/2 cups warm water (110° to 115°), divided
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4-1/2 to 4-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup baking cocoa
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
• 2/3 cup finely chopped nuts, optional
• ICING:
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 T buttermilk
• 1/2 c powdered sugar
• 2 T cocoa powder
• 1/2 t cinnamon
• 1/4 c mini chocolate chips

Preparation

Step 1

Directions
In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water. Add the butter, sugar, salt and remaining water. Stir in 2-1/2 cups flour and cocoa. Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes or until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Roll each portion into a 12-in. x 10-in. rectangle; brush with melted butter. Combine the sugar, cinnamon, chocolate chips and nuts if desired; sprinkle over each rectangle to within 1/2 in. of edges.
Roll up each jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seams to seal. Cut each into 10 slices. Place cut side down in a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.
Bake at 375° for 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the frosting ingredients (except chocolate chips). Spread over rolls while slightly warm; sprinkle with additional chocolate chips if desired. Yield: 20 rolls.



Nutrition Facts: 1 roll (calculated without nuts and additional chips) equals 243 calories, 6 g fat (4 g saturated fat), 15 mg cholesterol, 160 mg sodium, 44 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 4 g protein.