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Home » Sweet Breads

Super Soft Chocolate Espresso Rolls

Published: Oct 16, 2023 · Modified: Aug 18, 2024 by Zoha · This post may contain affiliate links · 34 Comments

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These Super Soft Chocolate Espresso Rolls are the version of cinnamon rolls made for chocolate lovers: unbelievably pillowy, moist bread filled with a decadent dark chocolate espresso filling and covered in espresso icing.

When I tried these rolls, I was spellbound for at least a minute (I have the video if anyone wants it). They are, hands down, one of the best desserts I have EVER eaten. And like most of my recipes, this recipe is simple and fuss free, and these rolls can be made without a mixer! And with that, I hope I have convinced you to give this recipe a go.

6 chocolate espresso rolls side by side with coffee icing spread on 3 of them and a spoon spreading it
hand holding chocolate espresso roll with coffee icing, more seen in background
Jump to:
  • INGREDIENTS NEEDED
  • HOW TO MAKE SUPER SOFT CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO ROLLS
  • RELATED RECIPES
  • FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
  • SUPER SOFT CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO ROLLS RECIPE

INGREDIENTS NEEDED

Here are the ingredients you will need for this recipe (as always, I must remind you to please scroll down to the recipe card for the quantities):

Bread dough:

  • Warm whole milk; ideally between 100-110F. The temperature of the milk is important to activate the yeast
  • Sugar
  • Active dry yeast - you can also use instant yeast. In that case, skip the step of resting the milk, yeast and sugar and simply combine all ingredients and knead 
  • All purpose flour
  • Egg 
  • Salt
  • Unsalted butter, softened - I leave the butter outside for around 1 hour

Chocolate Espresso filling:

  • Dark or semi sweet chocolate depending on how dark you like your chocolate. You can also use milk if you want, but in that case you may need to reduce the sugar
  • Unsalted butter
  • Heavy cream (use any kind of cream you have access to)
  • Brown or white sugar
  • Cocoa powder
  • Instant coffee - you want the kind of coffee that dissolves in water; I recommend Nescafe 

Assembly:

  • Heavy cream - I love to drench any kind of rolls in heavy cream right before baking as it makes them ultra soft and moist!

Espresso icing:

  • Icing sugar
  • Instant coffee
  • Cream or milk
hand tearing apart a chocolate espresso roll showing moist gooey interior; more seen in background

HOW TO MAKE SUPER SOFT CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO ROLLS

First, watch this short video in which I show how to make these rolls:

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id="fizkqUgL" upload-date="2023-10-16T09:54:25.000Z" name="Super Soft Chocolate Espresso Rolls" description="How to bake chocolate espresso rolls" player-type="default" override-embed="default"]

Now, let's go through the steps one by one:

1. Knead the dough

In the bowl of your stand mixer (or regular bowl), add the warm milk, yeast and sugar. Whisk and wait for 10 minutes or until the mixture looks frothy. This step is not needed if you are using instant yeast.

yeast and milk in a bowl
dough ingredients in a glass bowl

Add the remaining ingredients for the dough, and knead until the dough is smooth, soft and stretchy. There are two ways you can do this:

Option 1: Kneading with a stand mixer

Use the dough hook attachment of your stand mixer (this is the one I use) and knead on medium high speed for 7-10 minutes, until the dough pulls away from the edges of the bowl, becomes smooth to touch (instead of sticky), and is very stretchy. You should be able to pull it into a thin sheet without it breaking ("window pane test").

Option 2: Kneading by hand

First, use a large wooden spoon to mix the ingredients until they start to form a dough. Then, lightly dust a clean work surface with flour and turn out the dough. Using clean hands, start working the dough in a "push, pull" motion.

Now, here's the deal: this WILL be a sticky mess. The dough has a lot of liquid content (which is how the rolls become so soft), but don't be discouraged and don't add more flour. Turn on your favorite show / podcast, and keep kneading the dough for a good 8-10 minutes.

A scraper like this one will be very useful in pulling the dough off the surface and keeping things clean. As you knead, the flour will absorb more liquid, develop more gluten, and become stretchy and smooth.

You will know the dough is done when it doesn't stick to your hands anymore (you will have to clean your hands first), is very soft, and very stretchy.

2. Proof the dough

This is the first rise. Transfer the dough to a clean, oiled bowl, cover with cling wrap, and rest for ~60-90 minutes in a warm place. I like to place it in the oven with the oven light turned on (the oven is off, obviously). It should double in size, and, when poked gently, spring back part of the way.

dough in a glass bowl before being proofed
proofed dough in glass bowl

3. Prepare the chocolate espresso filling

In the meanwhile, for the filling, add the butter, cream, coffee and sugar to a nonstick saucepan. Place on medium low heat and stir until everything is melted. Then add the chocolate (chips or chopped) and stir until the chocolate has melted. Be careful not to overheat this mixture as that can cause chocolate to seize up and split. Once you have a smooth mixture, let it rest and cool down.

process of making chocolate espresso sauce
chocolate chips added to chocolate sauce in a saucepan with a whisk
smooth chocolate espresso sauce with a whisk inside

Important note: the amount of sugar, coffee, and cream in this filling is flexible and dependent on your preference. Start with a smaller amount of sugar and coffee, taste and add more if you'd like. If the mixture looks too thick, add more cream. The ending result should be a thick sauce which will become spreadable once it cools down.

4. Shape the Chocolate Espresso Rolls

Once the dough has risen and the filling has cooled, it is time to assemble!

Prepare a baking pan or dish by brushing butter on it. I used a 7x11" ceramic dish, but this recipe also works well with an eighth sheet pan.

Place the dough on a lightly floured surface, and roll it out into a 12x14" rectangle. The dough should be so soft that it should be really easy to roll it out and shape it with your hands so it is as neat of a rectangle as possible.

Spread the chocolate espresso filling as evenly as possible using an offset spatula.

dough rolled into rectangle with chocolate sauce poured in the middle
dough rolled out with chocolate spread on it, and cut into strips

Then, divide the rectangle into 6 strips, each strip 2x14". Roll each strip individually into rolls, and place them in the dish / pan you are using to bake.

I love to use this method of dividing into strips and rolling individually as opposed to rolling up the whole rectangle and then cutting into individual rolls using a knife or floss. It makes perfectly shaped rolls with little to no mess. Seriously, try it and you will be convinced!

dough rolled out with chocolate spread on it, and cut into strips
strips of dough with chocolate on it, one is rolled into a roll and placed into a baking dish

5. Allow time for a second rise

Place the shaped rolls in a warm place for 30-45 minutes until they look puffed up. This is called the second proof.

chocolate espresso rolls in baking dish before proofing
chocolate espresso rolls in baking dish after proofing

In the last 20 minutes, preheat your oven to 375F (the rolls should not be in the oven, of course).

6. Time to bake!

Drench the chocolate espresso rolls in heavy cream, trying to pour it evenly on top of the rolls. Place in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the rolls have a light golden color on them.

6 baked chocolate espresso rolls showing light golden bread with swirls of chocolate inside

7. Ice them up!

Prepare the quick coffee icing by mixing the icing sugar, instant coffee and cream or milk until a smooth icing is formed. You can easily adjust the thickness to your liking by adjusting the amount of cream added.

six chocolate espresso rolls covered with coffee icing

Cover the rolls with icing while they are still warm.

8. Serve & enjoy!

It is time to serve the warm rolls, dive in, and go to chocolate heaven!

single chocolate espresso roll with coffee icing on a small plate

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If you like this recipe, you should check out my other bread recipes too!!! Here are my favorites:

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a substitute for the egg in this recipe?

If you don't consume eggs, you can replace the egg in the dough with ¼ cup of full fat yogurt.

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes, you can. If using instant yeast, just combine all ingredients of the dough and knead.

Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark?

If you don't like dark chocolate, you can use milk chocolate but then reduce the amount of sugar in the filling according to your taste.

Do I need a stand mixer to make these rolls?

No, you can also knead this dough by hand. Read my tips above in this blog post.

How to store these chocolate espresso rolls?

You can store these rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Any longer than that, store them in the fridge and microwave for 10-15 seconds before enjoying.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes! If you do, use a 9x13" pan to bake them.

close up image of chocolate espresso rolls covered with coffee icing, picture focusing on 2
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hand holding chocolate espresso roll with coffee icing, more seen in background

SUPER SOFT CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO ROLLS RECIPE


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 19 reviews

  • Author: Zoha
  • Total Time: 3 hours including rest
  • Yield: 6 large rolls
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Description

The softest Chocolate Espresso Rolls made with unbelievably pillowy bread, a decadent dark chocolate espresso filling, and a simple espresso icing.


Ingredients

Bread dough:

  • ⅔ cup whole milk (160g), warm (100 to 110F)
  • ¼ cup sugar (50g)
  • 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 2 ½ cups all purpose flour (325g)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened (60g)

Chocolate espresso filling:

  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter (42g)
  • 4-6 tablespoon heavy cream
  • 4 tbsp brown or white sugar (adjust quantity to your liking)
  • 2 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 1-2 teaspoon instant coffee powder
  • 100g semi-sweet or dark chocolate (chopped chocolate or chocolate chips)

Assembly:

  • ¼ cup heavy cream (60g)

Coffee icing:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar (130g)
  • ½ tsp instant coffee powder
  • 2-4 tablespoon heavy cream depending on how thick you want the icing

Instructions

Dough:

  • Add the warm milk, yeast and sugar to a bowl and stir. Wait for 10 minutes or until the mixture looks frothy
  • Add the remaining ingredients of the dough and knead for 7-10 minutes (you can do this by hand or using a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment; see notes in the blog post above) until the dough is smooth, soft and very stretchy
  • Transfer the dough to a clean bowl with a little oil spread inside. Cover with cling wrap and place in a warm humid place for 60-90 minutes until the dough roughly doubles in size

Chocolate espresso filling:

  • While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. Add the butter, heavy cream, cocoa powder, coffee and sugar to a nonstick saucepan. Place on low heat and stir until everything has melted and combined
  • Add the chocolate and stir until it melts (you can do this over low heat or turn off the heat altogether)
  • Adjust the amount of coffee, sugar or cream depending on the flavor you want. The ending result should be a thick sauce that will become spreadable as it cools
  • Let the sauce cool down

Assembly:

  • Once the dough has risen and the filling has cooled, it is time to assemble. Prepare your baking pan or dish with a little butter
  • Turn out the dough on a lightly floured surface, and roll it into a 12x14" rectangle, using your hands to keep the sides as straight as possible
  • Spread on the chocolate espresso filling evenly
  • Divide the rectangle into 6 strips, each 2" wide and 14" long
  • Carefully roll up each strip to form individual chocolate espresso rolls
  • Place the rolls inside the baking pan / dish, and place in a warm place for another 30-45 minutes until the rolls look puffed up

Bake:

  • In the last 20 minutes of the second rise, turn on the oven to 375F (conventional, no fan)
  • Once the rolls have risen again, carefully pour over the cream evenly on top of each roll. it will flow down, don't worry
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes until the rolls have a light golden color on them

Frost & serve:

  • Prepare the icing by whisking together the ingredients, adjust quantities as needed
  • Spread the icing on the rolls while they are still warm
  • Serve & enjoy!!

Notes

  • I recommend storing these rolls in an airtight container in the fridge, and microwaving before eating them as they are best warm!
  • See the blog post above for tips on kneading the dough by hand vs using a stand mixer
  • Prep Time: 45 min
  • Cook Time: 25 min
  • Category: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American`

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a review and tag @bakewithzoha on Instagram!

Note: This post contains affiliate links.

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Comments

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    Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

  1. Tooba Sohail says

    October 26, 2023 at 7:39 pm

    These turned out exactly as she mentioned! Super soft and perfect for chocolate lovers.
    Thank you for sharing such amazing recipes always and making bake time fun and simple 🙂

    Also, i added 1/4 tsp of cocoa powder in the glaze too & loved it.

    Reply
    • Zoha says

      November 09, 2023 at 4:28 am

      YUM. Thank you so much!

      Reply
  2. Fatima says

    October 29, 2023 at 3:30 am

    I have tried these roll and they are out of the world. Taste is very unique and different and sooo soft . I much appreciate the talent of you Zoha you're a great chef

    Reply
    • Amina says

      April 07, 2025 at 10:44 am

      These were insanely good. My exact thoughts were actually "out of this world good" but I see someone else actually already left a review with the same thoughts. Made these for a friend and had to make a double batch so ai could steal a few for myself because they are so irresponsible. They were somehow both fluffy and flaky while also being so soft and moist. Better than cinnamon rolls and I love cinnamon rolls more than almost anything.

      Reply
  3. F says

    October 29, 2023 at 3:33 am

    I have tried these roll and they are out of the world. Taste is very unique and different and sooo soft . I much appreciate the talent of you Zoha you're a great chef

    Reply
    • Zoha says

      November 09, 2023 at 4:26 am

      Yay! Thanks so so much

      Reply
  4. Narmeen says

    December 13, 2023 at 5:29 pm

    So pillowy and incredibly soft!! Unreal recipe with the perfect ratio of espresso to chocolate flavor. I did have to adjust the glaze to be double what the recipe says.

    Reply
    • Zoha says

      January 05, 2024 at 2:29 pm

      I am really happy to hear that, Narmeen. Thank you for the review 🙂

      Reply
  5. Khadija says

    December 14, 2023 at 3:22 am

    Comes out perfect every time I try

    Reply
    • Zoha says

      January 05, 2024 at 2:28 pm

      Yay!! Delighted to hear that.

      Reply
  6. Inga says

    April 15, 2024 at 5:16 am

    These were amazing!
    The coffee chocolate filling is heavenly and everyone loves them! Thank you for this delicious recipe. 🙂

    Reply
    • Zoha says

      April 16, 2024 at 4:34 pm

      So so happy to hear that! Thanks Inga

      Reply
  7. Atrooba Ahmed says

    May 29, 2024 at 9:30 pm

    I tried this recipe twice and both times it turned out amazing. Everyone loved it ❤

    Reply
    • Zoha says

      July 10, 2024 at 1:07 pm

      Yay 🙂 Thank you Atrooba!

      Reply
  8. Candace says

    July 14, 2024 at 11:49 am

    They were amazing!

    Reply
    • Zoha says

      July 15, 2024 at 6:00 pm

      YAY!

      Reply
  9. Katie Snyder says

    August 11, 2024 at 9:39 pm

    Could I make the rolls, allow them to rise, and refrigerate over night to bake in the morning? I am hoping I could prepare them ahead of time so that I can bake them the morning I plan to serve them.

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      August 30, 2024 at 11:33 am

      hi Katie, did you try this? I'm wanting to do the same thing but not sure if it'll work or not

      Reply
      • Zoha says

        September 03, 2024 at 11:15 pm

        Hi Kristen and Katie! I find that doing both rises at room temperature gives the best result. Fridge proofing makes them less soft. If you must, do the first rise in the fridge overnight, and do the second rise (post shaping) at room temp. It's likely you need to do a slightly longer second proof if the dough is cold to begin with.

        Reply
  10. Wardah says

    October 16, 2024 at 9:55 am

    I’ve made this recipe more than ten times by now. It’s just perfect!

    Reply
    • Zoha says

      October 31, 2024 at 8:27 pm

      WOWWWW I need to make it more clearly haha

      Reply
  11. Janet Smithers says

    October 19, 2024 at 9:54 am

    They were absolutely delicious!!!... I am trying to pace myself not to eat in one sitting... 😂

    Reply
    • Zoha says

      October 31, 2024 at 8:23 pm

      Hahaha I totally understand what you mean! I went nuts for these

      Reply
  12. Fatma says

    November 02, 2024 at 1:10 am

    hyyy zoha,the best recipe for the rolls , turned out so pillowy n fluffy n soft oh myyy I love it and recommend everyone to try it .

    Reply
    • Zoha says

      November 04, 2024 at 2:08 pm

      AWWW thank you Fatma!!

      Reply
  13. Rachel says

    November 11, 2024 at 5:01 pm

    Hi Zoha! Instagram follower here. Congrats on your fast-approaching mommyhood!

    I made these for the first time last evening. I like to bake things to sell at the office--it's an easy way to pick up extra pocket money. I allowed them to do their second rise overnight, in the fridge, so I could bake them off fresh this morning. They were an absolute HIT!! Long after I had run out, I had people at my office door wanting more!

    The only change I made (besides the overnight rise) was that, instead of slicing the dough longways, I did it shortways, so I got 10 medium cinnamon rolls instead of 6 big ones. And even still, I came up short! I will have to make more this week!

    I've also made your cheesy garlic bread, which was delicious. In the coming weeks, I plan to make your famous classic cheesecake, as well as the brookies you posted today on IG.

    Thanks so much for your recipes and sunshiney energy!

    xoxo @captain.rachel

    P.S. -- I'll send u a picture on IG!

    Reply
  14. Fatima Idrees says

    November 20, 2024 at 7:08 pm

    I tired the recipe and it turned out perfect... people who ate these rolls asked for the recipe as they are heavenly good💫
    loved these!

    Reply
  15. Bia says

    December 02, 2024 at 10:57 pm

    I made it today and they were absolutely divine in taste—rich, decadent, and truly heavenly.

    However, the process of making them was quite challenging. The filling was incredibly messy to work with, which made rolling and cutting the dough a real struggle. I ended up cutting 8 pieces instead of the recommended 6, and thank goodness I did! Any larger, and the rolls would’ve overflowed right out of the dish.
    If you’re up for a bit of a baking adventure, the taste is definitely worth the effort—but be prepared for a messy kitchen along the way!

    Reply
  16. mila says

    December 20, 2024 at 12:34 pm

    absolutely LOVE this recipe!!! the rolls turn out soooo soft and delicious!
    one question though, because the dough is so soft i find the rolling up bit quite difficult 🥲 when i try to roll them up the way you’ve instructed, the roll just loses its shape and kind of melts (??) into the tray. (they do taste just as good though)
    do you have any tips for how to roll them up as neatly as you do?
    (i don’t overfill it because i follow your recipe and measurements exactly)
    please help me out here!!

    Reply
  17. Tina says

    January 19, 2025 at 9:28 am

    These were out of this world. Way better than a cinnamon roll. Thank you for sharing, a new favourite!

    Reply
  18. Silvia says

    May 04, 2025 at 3:26 am

    I have made these yesterday and I can't stop eating them! The dough recipe is so simple and super effective, the rolls are the softest I've ever had/made. The filling is sublime, so decadent and rich but not overly sweet. I will definitely be making these again!

    Reply
    • Zoha says

      May 07, 2025 at 5:27 pm

      I am so glad you love them as much as I do! THANK YOU!

      Reply
  19. Fatima Idrees says

    June 05, 2025 at 1:46 am

    I bake these a lot and they are super yum😋
    But I need to make a change this time and so I have “A QUESTION” that can I store them in the freezer for a day or two without baking and then bake them when I need
    Kindly answer please
    Thankyou!

    Reply
    • Zoha says

      June 13, 2025 at 8:12 am

      Hi! I recommend refrigerating after baking instead of freezing before 🙂

      Reply
girl (zoha) sitting with arm propped on counter, smiling at camera, muffins and brownies in front of her

Hi, I'm Zoha! Self taught home-baker, massive sweet tooth, lover of all things baked and content creator behind Bake With Zoha.

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