Name: Fluffy Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls with Nutella Icing Recipe
Prep time: 2 h 30 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 3 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/4 cup bread flour; 3/4 cup water; 3 2/3 cups bread flour; 1/3 cup granulated sugar; 2 teaspoons instant yeast; 1 teaspoon fine sea salt; 1/3 cup heavy cream, room temperature; 1/3 cup whole milk, room temperature; 1 large egg, room temperature; 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract; Tangzhong from above; 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cool room temperature; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature; 2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed; 1/4 cup chocolate hazelnut spread; 3 tablespoons dark cocoa powder; 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt; 1 cup powdered sugar; 1/4 cup chocolate hazelnut spread; 1/4 cup whole milk; 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract

There’s something utterly irresistible about these Fluffy Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls with Nutella Icing Recipe. Picture soft, pillowy rolls bursting with rich chocolate and warming cinnamon, finished off with a silky Nutella glaze that’s simply dreamy. Trust me, once you try them, they’ll be your new weekend obsession.

The image shows a close-up of nine cinnamon rolls in a baking dish, each one covered with a thick, shiny dark chocolate glaze. The rolls are light golden brown with visible spiral layers, tightly rolled and slightly puffed up. The rich chocolate sauce fills the spaces between the rolls, spreading a smooth, glossy dark brown surface that contrasts with the lighter dough. On top of the glaze, small round candy pearls in shades of light brown, milk chocolate brown, and dark brown are scattered evenly, adding texture and color contrast. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Fluffy Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls with Nutella Icing Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Fluffy Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls with Nutella Icing Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Fluffy Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls with Nutella Icing Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made these Fluffy Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls with Nutella Icing Recipe more times than I can count because they’re just that good and reliable. The perfect balance of sweet, gooey, and fluffy textures makes them a crowd-pleaser any time of day.

Ultimate Softness: Thanks to the tangzhong method, these rolls rise beautifully and stay soft for days.
Decadent Filling: A luscious chocolate cinnamon blend that feels luxurious but is easy to spread.
Nutella Icing: It’s that creamy, chocolate-hazelnut finish that takes these rolls from delicious to unforgettable.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether breakfast, dessert, or a cozy snack, these rolls always hit the spot.

A close-up of four cinnamon rolls on a white plate placed on a white marbled surface, three of the rolls show a spiral pattern of light brown dough with dark brown cinnamon filling, and one roll has a thick, smooth layer of dark chocolate frosting with small chocolate shavings sprinkled on top; one frosted roll is bitten, showing a soft, moist part inside with light and dark swirls. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic really starts with quality ingredients working together. The tangzhong—a cooked flour and water mixture—gives the dough unbelievable softness and moisture. Combine that with a rich cinnamon-chocolate filling and gooey Nutella icing, and you’ve got pure bliss. Here’s why each key ingredient is important:

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl filled with bread flour, a small white ceramic bowl of water, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of light brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with dark cocoa powder, an uncracked large brown egg with a clean shell, a few tablespoons of unsalted butter softly melting on a white ceramic plate, a small white ceramic bowl holding rich chocolate hazelnut spread, a small white ceramic bowl of heavy cream, a small white ceramic bowl of whole milk, a small white ceramic bowl of powdered sugar, and a small white ceramic bowl with vanilla paste, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Bread Flour: It provides the perfect gluten structure to hold the roll’s shape while remaining tender.
Instant Yeast: Speeds up rising time and creates lovely, fluffy air pockets.
Heavy Cream & Milk: Keep the dough moist and help develop flavor complexity.
Egg: Adds richness and helps create a golden, tender crumb.
Unsalted Butter: Used both in the dough and filling for amazing flavor and moisture.
Chocolate Hazelnut Spread (Nutella): The star of the filling and icing, adds irresistible nutty chocolate goodness.
Dark Cocoa Powder: Boosts the chocolaty depth without overwhelming the cinnamon.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the glaze with a smooth texture for easy drizzling.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Fluffy Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls with Nutella Icing Recipe is how adaptable it is. I often tweak the filling or add toppings based on what mood I’m in, and honestly, it’s always a win. You should definitely play around with it to make it your own.

Variation: Sometimes I swap classic Nutella for a toasted almond butter to give it a slightly nuttier twist that pairs beautifully with the chocolate.
Dairy-Free: You can replace the cream and milk with coconut milk, and use a vegan butter to create a lush dairy-free version.
Extra Cinnamon Kick: Add an extra ½ teaspoon of cinnamon to the filling if you love that warm spice punch as much as I do.
Mini Rolls: For bite-sized treats, roll thinner and cut smaller pieces—perfect for brunch parties or kid-friendly snacking.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Fluffy Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls with Nutella Icing Recipe

Step 1: Make Your Tangzhong with Care

Start with whisking your bread flour and water in a small saucepan. Cook this over medium heat, stirring constantly for about 4–5 minutes until it turns into a smooth, paste-like mixture. It might feel like it’s never going to thicken, but stick with it—this tangzhong is what guarantees softness.

Step 2: Mix and Knead the Dough

In your stand mixer bowl, combine your dry ingredients first: bread flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Then add the cream, milk, egg, vanilla, and your cooled tangzhong. Knead on low speed just until a rough dough forms. Here’s a key trick: add soft butter a little at a time, making sure each bit is fully incorporated before adding more. Keep kneading until the dough is smooth and elastic—this can take around 10 minutes.

Step 3: Let the Dough Rise

Shape your dough into a smooth ball, place it in a lightly greased bowl, and cover it with plastic wrap. Leave it to rise until doubled in size—this usually takes 1 to 2 hours depending on your kitchen’s warmth. Patience here pays off with beautifully airy rolls.

Step 4: Prepare the Chocolate Filling

While the dough rests, mix together the softened butter, brown sugar, Nutella, cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt. It should come together into a smooth, spreadable filling that smells divine. You’re going to want a big dollop of this on every roll.

Step 5: Roll, Spread, and Cut

Lightly flour your work surface and roll the risen dough out into a big rectangle, roughly 21 by 15 inches. Spread the chocolate filling evenly over the dough, leaving about half an inch clean at the top edge. Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to slice into 12 equal strips. Roll each strip gently away from you, then place the rolls into a parchment-lined 9x13 pan.

Step 6: Final Rise and Bake

Cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap and let the rolls rise for another 1 to 2 hours until they’ve puffed up nicely. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 325°F (162°C). Bake the rolls for 25 to 35 minutes, until the tops are light golden brown. Keep an eye on them—the smell will have you ready to dig in before they’re done!

Step 7: Make the Nutella Icing and Serve

While the rolls are baking, whisk together powdered sugar, Nutella, milk, and vanilla for the glaze. Once the rolls cool slightly (about 15 minutes), drizzle this luscious icing all over the top. Sprinkle with chocolate pearls or shavings for that extra wow factor, and get ready to indulge.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve found a few tricks that make the Fluffy Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls with Nutella Icing Recipe shine every time. These tips saved me from a few heartbreak moments and helped perfect that soft, fluffy texture.

Flour Measurement: Always use the spoon-level method or a kitchen scale instead of scooping flour with your measuring cup to avoid dense dough.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your egg, milk, and cream are at room temperature — it helps the yeast activate properly and gives a better rise.
Don’t Rush the Rises: The two rises might feel long, but that’s the secret to fluffy, airy rolls with great flavor.
Gentle Spreading: When spreading the chocolate filling, be gentle to avoid tearing the dough. Use an offset spatula for control!

How to Serve Fluffy Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls with Nutella Icing Recipe

Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping these rolls with delicate chocolate pearls or dark chocolate shavings — it adds a little sophisticated crunch and looks gorgeous. Sometimes I throw on a tiny sprinkle of flaky sea salt to balance the sweetness, which takes the flavor to a whole new level.

Side Dishes

These rolls shine on their own but pairing them with a hot cup of coffee or chai tea is honestly everything. On brunch days, I often serve them alongside fresh berries or a simple fruit salad to cut through the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or special occasions, I’ve arranged these rolls in a circular “flower” pattern in a round pan, then drizzled extra Nutella icing over the center like a glaze petal. It’s a stunning centerpiece that always impresses guests and disappears fast!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I store any leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They maintain their softness well; if you need to keep them longer, refrigeration is an option—I just let them come to room temp before serving to bring back that pillowy feel.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these rolls both before and after baking with great success. If freezing before baking, wrap the pan tightly and thaw overnight in the fridge before the final rise and bake. For baked rolls, wrap individually and pop in the freezer. They thaw overnight too—perfect for prepping ahead of time.

Reheating

To reheat, I like warming them gently in the oven at 300°F for about 10 minutes to revive that fresh-baked softness. Alternatively, a quick 20-second zap in the microwave works if you’re in a hurry—just watch to avoid drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?

You can substitute all-purpose flour, but bread flour's higher protein content gives the dough more structure and chew, leading to fluffier rolls. If you use all-purpose flour, your rolls might be slightly less airy but still delicious.

What is tangzhong and why is it used in this recipe?

Tangzhong is a cooked mixture of flour and water that’s added to the dough to help retain moisture and keep the rolls incredibly soft and fresh for longer. It’s a popular technique in Asian baking that really elevates the texture of cinnamon rolls.

Can I make these rolls dairy-free or vegan?

Yes! To make these dairy-free, swap the milk and cream with plant-based alternatives like almond or oat milk and use vegan butter. For vegan rolls, replace the egg with a flaxseed egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water). Keep in mind that texture might differ slightly, but the flavor remains wonderful.

How long do these rolls stay fresh?

They’re best enjoyed within two days when stored at room temperature in an airtight container. If you need to keep them longer, refrigeration extends freshness up to one week, though letting them come back to room temp before eating is key. Freezing works great if you want to keep them for up to three months.

Final Thoughts

This Fluffy Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls with Nutella Icing Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it combines comfort and indulgence in one glorious bite. Sharing these warm, gooey rolls with friends and family is always a highlight, and I’m confident you’ll enjoy making and eating them just as much as I do. Go ahead, treat yourself — you deserve it!