Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls Recipe- a Hungarian Treat (2024)

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If you remember frommy earlier post,I had the occasion to visit Hungary in my twenties and became addicted to chocolate cinnamon rolls which were unexpectedly and ruthlessly taken from me.After reading the story (and hearing about it countless times) my wife looked at me with a thoughtful finger pressed against her lips and said, “Maybe we should try to recreate them.”

Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls Recipe- a Hungarian Treat (1)

I’m a fat guy who enjoys food to no small amount, so when my wife said this to me, it was roughly the emotional equivalent to any other guy walking with his wife in the mall and suddenlyshesuggests going into the lingerie shop. I was just that excited.

So we experimented. Lights flickered. Lightening struck our kitchen. A Catholic Priest crossed himself and prayed for the sake of the whole world. There may have been maniacal laughter. In the end, even Doctor Frankenstein couldn’t have been as overjoyed at his creation as we were about ours. And everybody wins because my dear wife, who makes the most amazing (sans-chocolate) cinnamon rolls I’ve ever had, unlocked the secret. In an effort to thumb my nose at that Hungarian shop-keeper, I’m going to share it with the world!

Table of Contents hide

1 Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

2 Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls

2.1 Ingredients

2.3 When would you enjoy these delectable Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls?

Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Preparation time: Approximately 4 hours

Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls Recipe- a Hungarian Treat (2)

  • 1 1/2 Tbsp dry yeast
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 2 Tbsp sugar
  • 1/3 cup butter
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 beaten eggs
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 5-6 cups flour

Combine yeast, warm water and 2 Tbsp sugar in mixer bowl and let sit to activate yeast. While letting yeast sit, melt butter in saucepan and add milk to heat. Let cool to lukewarm. Add milk mixture to yeast mixture and then add eggs, salt and remaining sugar. Mix well. Add flour slowly until you get a slightly sticky dough.

The flour is the tricky part. You don’t want to add too much, but if you don’t add enough the dough will not hold its shape. I usually do about 5 cups and let it mix really well, and then add about 1/3 cup more at a time until I get a good texture. Remember that as you let the dough rise it gets more firm, so it’s okay to leave it a tiny bit stickier than you can handle at first.

Let the dough rise to double its size twice (about 30 minutes each time). So, let it rise and beat it down and then let it rise again.

Now you are ready to roll it out. I usually spread a little vegetable oil on the table and the cookie sheets to keep the dough from sticking. I roll about half of the dough at a time. Roll it into a rectangle. Spread melted butter (1/4 – 1/3 cup) over the dough. Use REAL butter! The chocolate filling is actually really easy. Mix together 5 Tablespoons cocoa with 10 Tablespoons sugar. Sprinkle this over your buttered dough. Roll the dough into a log and cut into rolls. I do mine about 1 1/2 inches thick. I use dental floss to cut the dough so that it doesn’t squish the rolls. Think of attacking the log with a garrote, and you’ve got the general idea.

Place on cookie sheet cut side up. I keep mine separated so that they don’t touch when they rise. Some people like them touching to keep all of the edges soft. I just think they look better when they are nice and round, and I like the crust they get when separated. I use my hand to flatten the rolls a little bit. Then let them rise until double in size (about 20-30 minutes depending on temperature of your kitchen). Bake at 375 for 12-15 minutes. You want them to be a nice golden-brown color. Move to a rack to cool (if they make it that far).

The Hungarians do not frost these delectable wonders, as the filling tends to suffice.

Jo’ E’t Vagya’t!

Yield:

Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls

Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls Recipe- a Hungarian Treat (3)

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 Tbsp dry yeast
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 2 Tbsp sugar
  • 1/3 cup butter
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 beaten eggs
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 5-6 cups flour

Instructions

  1. Combine yeast, warm water and 2 Tbsp sugar in mixer bowl and let sit to activate yeast.
  2. While letting yeast sit, melt butter in saucepan and add milk to heat.
  3. Let cool to lukewarm.
  4. Add milk mixture to yeast mixture and then add eggs, salt and remaining sugar.
  5. Mix well.
  6. Add flour slowly until you get a slightly sticky dough.
  7. Let the dough rise to double its size twice (about 30 minutes each time).
  8. Roll it into a rectangle. Spread melted butter (1/4 – 1/3 cup) over the dough. Use REAL butter!

Chocolate filling

  1. Mix together 5 Tablespoons cocoa with 10 Tablespoons sugar.
  2. Sprinkle this over your buttered dough.
  3. Roll the dough into a log and cut into rolls.
  4. Place on cookie sheet cut side up
  5. Then let them rise until double in size
  6. Bake at 375 for 12-15 minutes.
  7. You want them to be a nice golden-brown color.
  8. Move to a rack to cool

Did you like this recipe? Be sure to PIN IT! And share it with your friends with a link to our site so others can find it.Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls Recipe- a Hungarian Treat (4)It’s sure to be a hit with your friends and family. And we’d be forever grateful for the share.If you want to see more fun Tried and true recipes, be sure to check out ourKitchen Cornercategory or ourTried and True Recipesboard on Pinterest!

When would you enjoy these delectable Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls?

Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls Recipe- a Hungarian Treat (2024)

FAQs

Why do you put baking powder in cinnamon rolls? ›

There's enough baking powder in there to give these cinnamon rolls a nice puff and lift. The finished cinnamon rolls won't be as pillowy as their yeasted cousins, but they are still plenty soft and have a great texture.

What do you pour over cinnamon rolls before baking? ›

I can't explain the chemistry but I can tell you that they are exponentially more moist, light and fluffy when you pour a cup of heavy whipping cream over them before baking. This hack truly takes the viral Tik Tok cinnamon rolls to the next level!

Can I use evaporated milk instead of heavy cream? ›

Evaporated milk can be used as a substitute in recipes in which heavy cream is used as a liquid ingredient, such as in baked goods, but it doesn't whip well. Substitute the heavy cream in your recipes with an equal amount of evaporated milk.

Is heavy whipping cream the same as heavy cream? ›

Is Heavy Cream the Same as Heavy Whipping Cream? Yes, heavy cream and heavy whipping cream are the exact same thing. The confusion lies in the fact that they're sold by different brands under two different names.

Is baking powder or yeast better for cinnamon rolls? ›

Yeast is my go-to for bread, pizza dough, and sweet rolls like cinnamon buns. These items benefit from its slow fermentation, which adds depth to both flavor and texture. On the other hand, baking powder should be your choice for quick breads, cookies, and cakes.

Is bread flour or all purpose better for cinnamon rolls? ›

Bread flour has more protein than all-purpose flour, making it a better option for pastries. Most people recommend baking cinnamon rolls with bread flour, as this creates a fluffier and softer cinnamon roll. Though all-purpose flour will also work to create tasty cinnamon rolls.

Should I bake cinnamon rolls on the top or bottom rack? ›

Bake the Cinnamon Rolls

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake the risen cinnamon rolls in the preheated 350-degree oven on the middle or top rack for 12 minutes, then turn the oven down to 325 degrees. Bake for an additional 6-8 minutes or until the dough bounces back when you tap it lightly with your finger.

Should cinnamon rolls be touching in pan? ›

Place cut side up in a prepared baking pan, flattening them only slightly. The unbaked cinnamon rolls should not touch each other before rising and baking.

Can you use parchment paper instead of greasing a pan for cinnamon rolls? ›

Step 1: Prepare the Pans and Preheat the (p)Oven

I use parchment paper just about every time I bake anything. Not only does it help keep things from sticking to the pan, it also helps keep the dough from burning. Now is a good time to start the oven preheating (350°F).

What does pouring heavy cream over cinnamon rolls do? ›

The heavy cream absorbs the cinnamon, sugar, and butter that leaks from the insides of the rolls as they bake to create a glorious cinnamon sugar syrup for the bottom of your rolls.

What happens if you let cinnamon rolls rise too long? ›

Can cinnamon rolls rise for too long? Yes definitely! If you let your cinnamon rolls rise for too long you can over-proof them. This can lead to dense rolls or rolls that collapse after baking.

Why did my homemade cinnamon rolls come out hard? ›

Don't Overbake Cinnamon Rolls

Overbaked cinnamon rolls are tough and chewy instead of light and pillowy. Since it can be a bit tricky to know when rolls are fully baked, use a digital thermometer. Bake cinnamon rolls until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches between 190°and 200°F.

How does heavy cream affect baking? ›

While heavy cream does not work well in baked goods, it can be used to thicken sauces, soups, sour cream and puddings. It's also a great ingredient to make whipped cream, mousse, pastry fillings, ice cream and frosting.

What does heavy cream do in baking? ›

Heavy cream is a good choice when decorating pies or cakes, or for thickening sauces and ganache. Heavy cream is also great for making ice cream and soup. Whipping cream is a bit lighter since it contains less fat than heavy cream, and has about 30 to 36 percent milk fat.

Why do you use heavy cream in baking? ›

It whips better and holds its shape longer than its whipping cream counterpart, which is why it's used for everything from pastry fillings to pipings. It has a long shelf life in the fridge and can even be frozen and used in a heavy cream recipe later on.

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