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Chocolate Orange Morning Rolls
5 from 27 votes

Chocolate Orange Morning Rolls

Chocolate Orange Morning Rolls are enriched yeast dough rolls filled with a spiced chocolate and orange zest mixture, then topped with a cream cheese vanilla glaze. The dough is soft and slightly sweet, kneaded to a shiny finish. The filling blends cocoa, cinnamon, allspice, and chopped milk chocolate along with orange zest, creating a balanced sweet and citrus flavor in every bite.

Prep Time
2 hrs 30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
3 hrs
Servings: 6 large morning rolls
Calories: 234 kcal
Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Dough:
  • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon instant yeast (or active dry yeast - see *notes* for instructions on how to activate, if using)
  • 3 egg large
  • 1/4 cup water lukewarm or warm milk
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature, 1 stick, room temperature
Spiced Chocolate Filling:
  • 1/2 cup butter at room temperature, unsalted
  • 1/3 cup baking cocoa powder
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar white
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 ounce milk chocolate finely chopped
  • orange zest from 1 naval orange
Cream Cheese Vanilla Glaze:
  • 2 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon butter at room temperature, unsalted
  • 1 cup powdered sugar sifted
  • Pinch kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla paste, pure
  • 1 tablespoon heavy cream

Instructions

Dough:
    Cup of Yum
  1. In a stand mixer, with the dough hook, mix together all of the dough ingredients to form a mostly smooth, shiny dough. Don't worry; what starts out as a sticky mess becomes beautifully satiny as it kneads. Knead this dough on medium speed for about 5 minutes.
  2. Spray a medium bowl with cooking spray. Transfer the dough into the greased bowl, using a spatula because the dough will be a bit sticky. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size. If you want to to make this for ahead, you can cover the bowl with plastic wrap and transfer it to the fridge and continue with the recipe the next morning. Or, you can continue with it immediately.
Chocolate Filling:
  1. In a bowl, mash all of the ingredients (except the chopped chocolate and orange zest) together until smooth.
To Assemble the Rolls:
  1. Grease and line a 9 x 4-inch baking dish.
  2. On a liberally floured surface, dump the dough out and roll it into a 1/4-inch thick rectangle. Spread the filling evenly onto the rectangle and stop about 1/4-inch before you reach the edge. Sprinkle with the chopped chocolate and orange zest. Roll the rectangle tightly, in a horizontal fashion, into a log. Transfer the log to a lightly floured cutting board and transfer to the freezer (this will help when we cut and form the babka) for about 10 minutes.
  3. After the log has chilled, remove it from the freezer. Using a sharp knife, slice off the ends and discard. Slice the log into 3-inch pieces. Carefully transfer the rolls to the prepared baking dish. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and place in a draft-free place in your home until it doubles in size, about 1 hour.
  4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake for about 30 to 35 minutes, until lightly golden brown.
To Make the Cream Cheese Vanilla Glaze:
  1. To the bowl of a stand-up mixer (you can use a hand mixer too), add the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar and salt. Beat until smooth. Pour in the heavy cream and then beat for a full 2 minutes, until very fluffy. When the rolls come out of the oven, spoon the glaze/frosting on top. It’ll melt when it comes in contact with the warm rolls. YUM.

Notes

  • If using active dry yeast instead of instant, activate it by dissolving in warm milk or water until foamy before adding to dough.
  • The dough can be refrigerated after the first rise and baked the next day for convenience.
  • Orange zest adds fresh citrus aroma that complements the spiced chocolate filling.
  • The cream cheese vanilla glaze adds a creamy texture and vanilla note to finish the rolls.

Nutrition Information

Calories 234kcal (12%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6 large morning rolls

Amount Per Serving

Calories 234

% Daily Value*

Calories 234kcal 12%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.