{"id":6308,"date":"2018-12-05T15:18:40","date_gmt":"2018-12-05T14:18:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthylittlecravings.com\/?p=6308"},"modified":"2024-09-24T17:42:54","modified_gmt":"2024-09-24T16:42:54","slug":"chocolate-cinnamon-buns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthylittlecravings.com\/en\/chocolate-cinnamon-buns\/","title":{"rendered":"Super Fluffy Chocolate Cinnamon Buns"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you love the cozy flavors of cinnamon and chocolate, these Chocolate Cinnamon Buns <\/strong>are about to become your new favorite treat.
They are soft, so fluffy and filled with a rich chocolate-cinnamon filling, they\u2019re perfect for a weekend breakfast or a sweet snack. Whether you enjoy them fresh out of the oven or as an indulgent dessert (I prefer the first, if you ask me hehe), these homemade chocolate cinnamon rolls are guaranteed to brighten your day. And not only yours!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I absolutely LOVE making them when I\u2019m invited to someone's house. Can you believe people actually remember me for my delicious homemade cinnamon rolls? Let's see how to prepare them, shall we?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A
That swirl...almost hypnotic, uh? <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Honestly, I just love them, by now you should know that I'm obsessed with rolls and buns. Remember my classic Swedish cardamom buns (kardemummabullar<\/a>)? And the lighter option<\/a>? And these lingonberry ones<\/a>?
Go try them all!<\/p>\n\n\n[feast_advanced_jump_to]\n\n\n

Why you'll love this recipe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Oh gosh, where do I even start? These rolls are so delicious it's hard to put into words, and even harder to explain why <\/em>you\u2019ll love them so much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s begin with the flavor<\/strong>: these rolls are so scrumptious that the first time I made them, I almost ate half the batch. I mean, I\u2019ve got some self-control, but I still ended up eating three (oops).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes these the best chocolate cinnamon rolls? The secret ingredient: orange zest in the chocolate filling!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you haven\u2019t tried the chocolate and orange combo before...it\u2019s a game-changer! The richness of chocolate with the fresh, fruity tang of orange is an absolute match made in heaven. They balance each other perfectly. Total WIN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, let\u2019s talk about the texture. They\u2019re incredibly fluffy inside, with a slightly crunchy exterior thanks to a pinch of sugar I added before baking. Can you see the photo? Can you see that texture? And here\u2019s a bonus: the dough is rich in fiber, thanks to the whole wheat flour. WIN WIN!
Oh did I mention they're also vegan?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Drizzling
Drizzle some maple glaze on top!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ingredients<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love how simple ingredients can come together to create such a delicious recipe, and this one is no different. Let me break down each ingredient for you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Warm water:<\/strong> Used to activate the yeast, which makes the dough rise beautifully. Want a more enriched \u00a0dough? Use warm milk (plant-based to keep it vegan). Just be sure the liquids aren\u2019t too hot, as they could kill the yeast (or too cold!!! Warm is better or room temperature at least).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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    • Yeast<\/strong>: Key to achieving a fluffy, airy texture. You can use active dry yeast or instant yeast. I usually go with instant yeast, it\u2019s the most common here in Italy. If you\u2019re using active dry yeast, remember to always let it bloom first by rehydrating it in warm water.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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      • Whole wheat flour + All-purpose flour<\/strong>: Whole wheat adds extra fiber and a slightly nutty taste, making the dough more wholesome. The all-purpose flour helps create that perfect light, fluffy consistency. You can also opt for bread flour.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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        • Brown sugar + Applesauce:<\/strong> Brown sugar adds a touch of extra sweetness, while applesauce keeps the dough moist and offers a subtle natural sweetness. Plus, it's a lighter alternative to butter.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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          • Almond milk<\/strong>: A dairy-free option that keeps the dough soft and moist, while maintaining the perfect consistency.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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            • Extra virgin olive oil<\/strong>: Instead of melted butter, EVOO adds a rich depth of flavor. You can also use a lighter oil like rice oil, or melted vegan butter for a similar effect.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

              For the filling, I kept it simple with just 6 ingredients (one is optional):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                \n
              • Applesauce<\/strong>: A butter substitute that keeps the filling moist.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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                • Unsweetened cocoa powder<\/strong>: The star of the filling! It gives a deep, rich chocolate flavor, simply mouthwatering!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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                  • Brown sugar:<\/strong> Adds sweetness and a caramel-like richness. You can choose between light or dark brown sugar.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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                    • Zest from one organic orange<\/strong>: This is the game-changer! The bright, citrusy flavor balances the richness of the chocolate. Since we\u2019re using the zest, go for organic, or wash it thoroughly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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                      • Cinnamon powder<\/strong>: No cinnamon rolls are complete without this! It adds warmth and spice. If you\u2019ve never tried cinnamon and chocolate together, you\u2019re in for a treat.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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                        • Vanilla extract <\/strong>(optional): Adds a comforting aroma to the filling.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                          As a bonus, I recommend brushing the rolls with almond milk before baking. It gives them a golden brown color, and adding a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top makes them irresistible! Another delicious touch could be adding chocolate chips into the filling. YUM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          \"Macro
                          I'm drooling over this photo!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n


                          Substitutions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                          Feel free to make a few swaps based on your preferences, but be sure to maintain the key ingredients. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          You can use plant-based or regular milk, and swap extra virgin olive oil for melted vegan butter or a lighter oil like rice oil. If you don\u2019t have whole wheat flour, all-purpose or bread flour will work just fine. As usual, if you change too many ingredients though I cannot guarantee the success of the recipe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          Step By Step Instructions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                          Making these Chocolate Cinnamon Buns is easier than you might think! Here\u2019s a simple step-by-step guide to help you bake these fluffy, delicious chocolate rolls from scratch:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          1. Into the bowl of a stand mixer (large bowl), combine warm water, sugar, and yeast, then activate the mixer (with flat attachment) and gradually add dry ingredients (flours in this case) and mix until incorporated, about 5 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          2. Add applesauce, almond milk, and olive oil, then mix at medium speed until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl, then change to dough hook attachment and mix for about 10-15 minutes. Finally add salt and knead again for a couple minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          3. (First rise) Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size. (Tip: I place it in my oven at 30\u00b0C\/86\u00b0F, and it only takes 1 hour)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          4. While the dough rises, prepare the filling by combining all the ingredients (ground cinnamon, applesauce, cocoa, brown sugar, orange zest, vanilla if using) in a small bowl and chilling it in the fridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          \"How
                          Spread that filling evenly.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

                          5. Once the dough has risen, transfer it to a\u00a0lightly floured surface and roll it into a 12 x 16 inch (40 x 30 cm) rectangle, then spread the filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border at the edges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          6. Roll the dough tightly from the long side. Use cotton yarn or thread to cut the roll into 12-13 equal\u00a0pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          \"How
                          Roll tight!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

                          7. (Second rise) Place the rolls in a greased 9-inch round or square pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let them rise again for 30 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          8. Preheat the oven to 175\u00b0C (350\u00b0F).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          9. Once the rolls have doubled in size (rising time may vary depending on temperature of your room too), brush them with almond milk (optional: Sprinkle with brown sugar before baking for an extra sweet touch) and bake for 30 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          Let the extra fluffy rolls cool down slightly before serving. If desired, drizzle with a glaze made from icing sugar, maple syrup, and a small amount of water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          Watch this short video!<\/p>\n\n\n\n