Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls

  • 18

Ingredients

  • 1 cup milk, warmed
  • 5 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 pkg active dry yeast
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 6 oz chopped bittersweet chocolate
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • Vanilla Icing, recipe below

Preparation

Step 1

In the bowl of an electric mixer combine warm milk, butter and sugar. Sprinkle yeast on top and let stand 2 min until yeast softens. With the bread hook attachment stir in the egg, salt and 3 cups of the flour. Mix well, then add remaining flour and mix until dough pulls away from the bowl edges, about 5 min.

With floured hands form dough into a ball and place in a buttered bowl, turning to coat all sides of ball. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let dough rise in a very warm place until doubled in size, about 3 hr.

Make filling by combining the sugars, cinnamon and chocolate. Butter two 8-by-8-inch pans and set aside.

Turn dough onto a lightly floured work surface and roll into a 14-by-24-inch rectangle about 1/8 inch thick. Spread with the melted butter and sprinkle with the cinnamon mixture. Starting with one long end, roll dough tightly to form a long spiral. Pinch the seam together. Cut into 18 slices, about 1¼ inch thick each, and place 9 in each prepared pan. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

In the morning remove rolls from refrigerator and bring to room temperature in a warm place, 1 hr. Heat oven to 375°F and bake until rolls are golden and cooked through, 18 to 20 min.

Let rolls cool slightly then spoon on some Vanilla Icing. Serve warm.

Vanilla icing - Whisk 2 cups confectioners’ sugar with 1 tbsp melted butter, ½ tsp vanilla extract and 3 tbsp milk until smooth. Makes 1 cup.

NOTE: If you make and bake them on the same day, don’t refrigerate after rolling; just let the rolls rise a second time before baking.