This Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Rolls is a twist on our classic Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls. Full of chocolate flavor and is easy to make!

Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Rolls in a white baking dish.
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Chocolate cinnamon rolls make the perfect dessert or breakfast recipe. These cinnamon rolls are made from scratch and have tons of chocolate flavor. If you love regular cinnamon roll and chocolate, then this recipe is for you.

Trying new flavors of cinnamon rolls such as Bacon Cinnamon Rolls, Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls, Sticky Buns and Eggnog Cinnamon Rolls are perfect for the holiday or special occasion. But this chocolate chip cinnamon roll recipe and even this Monkey Bread is always requested.

What's in this post: Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Rolls

Why This Recipe Works

I love chocolate so I knew that adding the rich chocolate flavor to my cinnamon roll recipe, would be the perfect combination. I already had all the ingredients which made this recipe even easier to make.

The cinnamon rolls baked perfectly with a soft and chewy texture. Adding the chocolate chip cream cheese frosting made it taste even better.

Serve it with my chocolate chip pudding cookies for more options.

Ingredients

Ingredients for recipe: Milk, sugar, active dry yeast, flour, salt, eggs, butter, oil, brown sugar, cinnamon, cocoa powder, chocolate chips, salt, cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract and milk.
  • Whole Milk – Warmed to 110 degrees. It is best to use Whole Milk
  • Active Dry Yeast – We used 1 packet
  • Large Eggs – Room Temperature, lightly beaten is best
  • Butter – Use unsalted butter that has been melted
  • Brown Sugar – Learn How to Make Homemade Brown Sugar
  • Ground Cinnamon – You can use Pumpkin Pie Spice for a delicious variations

For the full recipe and ingredients, scroll to the bottom for the recipe card.

How to Make Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Rolls

Making the dough

  • Step 1 – Use a microwave or a small pot on the stove to heat up the milk to 110 degrees; it should only feel warm to the touch, not hot.
Whisking milk and yeast together in a saucepan.

Step 2 – Add the yeast in the milk and whisk to break clumps and dissolve it. Let yeast sit for about 5 minutes.

Flour mixture in a bowl with a sauce pan of melted butter on the side with a wooden spoon.

Step 3 – In the meantime, combine the flour, sugar and salt in a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the center.

Butter mixture with the flour mixture in a bowl with a wooden spoon.

Step 4 – Whisk the melted butter and beaten egg into the yeast mixture, then pour it into the well.

Dough combined together in a bowl with a wooden spoon.

Step 5 – Stir with a wooden spoon or a mixer on low speed until you get a shaggy lump of dough.

Dough ball in a bowl.

Step 6 – Spread and knead the dough on a surface that has been lightly dusted with flour. Put the dough into a lightly greased bowl with butter or nonstick spray.

Large dough ball in a bowl.

Step 7 – Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and leave in a warm area. Let it sit for an hour or 2, until the dough has doubled in size. Punch the dough down to release any air build-up and place in the fridge for at least 1 hour or overnight.

Dough spread into a rectangle on a cutting board.

Step 8 – After chilling, turn the dough out on a lightly floured surface and roll to a 10×16-inch rectangle. The thickness will be about ¼-inch.

Chocolate mixture spread on the dough topped with chocolate chips.

Step 9 – Brush the surface of the dough with half of the melted butter, then sprinkle with the brown sugar mixture evenly over the dough. Pat to make sure the mixture is  sticking to the dough. Drizzle the remaining butter on top.

Dough rolled into a tube shaped on a cutting with a knife on the side.

Step 10 – Starting at the long-side end of the dough closest to you, roll the dough tightly into a coil while lightly pressing to make sure there are no gaps between the dough and the filling.

Dough cut into slits.

Step 11 – Using light sawing motions, use a serrated knife to cut 12 even pieces or rolls.

Dough in a baking dish topped with plastic wrap.

Step 12 – Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray and arrange the rolls with the spiral facing upward. You can cover it lightly with plastic wrap and let it rise for an hour or overnight.

Baked cinnamon rolls in a baking dish.

Step 13 – Unwrap the rolls and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until they’re fluffy and golden brown. After baking, let them cool in the baking dish for at least 15 minutes.

Butter and cream cheese in a bowl with a hand mixer.

Step 14 – Beat the butter and cream cheese using a hand or stand mixer on medium to high speed until smooth.

Chocolate frosting in a bowl.

Step 15 – Add in the cocoa powder and powdered sugar, and mix on low speed until combined. Add in the milk and vanilla, then mix on low speed.

  • Step 16 – Once the rolls are out of the oven, spread the icing on warm cinnamon rolls and let it cool slightly before serving.
  • Step 17 – You can top it with more mini chocolate chips and serve the rolls with the remaining icing. Dig in!

Expert Tips

  • Make Ahead – These cinnamon rolls are the perfect recipe to make ahead of time to give time for the dough to rise.
  • Chill Dough – After allowing the dough to rise, allow time for the dough to chill for the best texture.
  • Frosting Cinnamon Rolls – We like to rest the cinnamon rolls after baking for about 15 minutes. But you want to frost the cinnamon rolls while they are still warm. This allows the icing to get into all the layers of the cinnamon rolls.
Cinnamon rolls baked in a baking dish topped with chocolate chip frosting .

Serving Suggestions

These chocolate chip cinnamon rolls are delicious served just the way they are. They are full of chocolate flavor and perfect served with coffee, Air Fryer Bacon and Fruit Salad Recipe.

If you prefer you top with melted butter for a rich and buttery flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Store Cinnamon Rolls

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Can I Freeze Cinnamon Rolls?

You can freeze baked cinnamon rolls up to 1 month, but thaw 1 hour before eating. It’s always best when you reheat them in the microwave until warm.

How to know when Cinnamon Rolls are finished Baking?

Baking time will vary depending on your oven, but we baked these cinnamon rolls for about 25 minutes. You will know when they are ready to remove from the oven when they are golden brown and are fluffy.

A chocolate chip cinnamon roll on a plate.

More Easy Cinnamon Roll Recipes

If you make this Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Rolls Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review. We love to hear from you.

Review Pin Print
A close-up of a slice of chocolate chip cake with chocolate frosting and chocolate chips on top, being lifted from a pan—its gooey layers and rich topping reminiscent of decadent Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Rolls in the background.

Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Rolls

5 from 6 votes
Estimated Cost: $7.21, $0.60 per serving
This Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Rolls is a twist on our classic Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls. Full of chocolate flavor and is easy to make!
Prep Time 3 hours
Cook Time 30 minutes
Let Sit 15 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 45 minutes
Servings 12
Cuisine American
Course Breakfast
Calories 482
Author Carrie Barnard
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Ingredients

For the Dough:

  • 1 cup whole milk warmed to 110 degrees
  • 3 ¼ tablespoons white granulated sugar
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast ¼ ounce envelope/1 packet
  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
  • 1 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 large eggs room temperature, lightly beaten
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • Nonstick spray or vegetable oil for the bowl

For the chocolate cinnamon filling:

  • 1 cup brown sugar light or dark
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 cup mini chocolate chips
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature/softened

For the chocolate cream cheese icing:

  • 2 ounces cream cheese room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoon milk

See how we calculate recipe costs.

Instructions

MAKING THE DOUGH:

  • Warm the milk to approximately 110°F. It should feel warm, not hot.
  • Stir the yeast into the warm milk. Let sit for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture begins to foam.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center.
  • Whisk the melted butter and beaten eggs into the yeast mixture.
  • Pour the yeast mixture into the flour mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon or mix on low speed until a shaggy dough forms.
  • Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 3–5 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Add a small amount of flour as needed if the dough is too sticky.
  • Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1–2 hours, or until doubled in size.
  • Gently punch down the dough. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
  • Turn the chilled dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll it into approximately a 10×16-inch rectangle.

MAKING THE CHOCOLATE CINNAMON FILLING:

  • In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, cocoa powder, mini chocolate chips, and salt.
  • Spread the softened butter evenly over the surface of the dough.
  • Sprinkle the chocolate-cinnamon mixture evenly over the butter and gently press it into the dough.
  • Starting with a long side, tightly roll the dough into a log.
  • Cut the log into 12 equal rolls using a serrated knife or unflavored dental floss.
  • Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and arrange the rolls cut-side up in the pan.
  • Cover loosely and let rise for about 1 hour, or until puffy.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the rolls are lightly golden and cooked through.
  • Let the rolls cool in the pan for about 15 minutes.

MAKING THE CHOCOLATE CREAM CHEESE ICING:

  • Beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
  • Add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Mix on low speed until combined.
  • Add the vanilla extract and milk. Beat until the icing is smooth and spreadable.
  • Spread the icing over the warm cinnamon rolls.
  • Top with additional mini chocolate chips, if desired, and serve warm.

Recipe Notes

Make sure the milk is approximately 105–110°F. Milk that is too hot can damage the yeast.
For overnight rolls, assemble the rolls in the baking dish, cover, and refrigerate overnight. The next day, let them rise at room temperature until noticeably puffy before baking. Depending on room temperature, this may take 1–2 hours.
The filling calls for softened butter, so there is no need to melt or drizzle it as stated in the original instructions. Spread it evenly over the rolled dough before adding the chocolate-cinnamon mixture.
Store leftover rolls covered in the refrigerator because of the cream cheese icing. Reheat individual rolls briefly before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 482kcal, Carbohydrates 73g, Protein 7g, Fat 23g, Saturated Fat 14g, Polyunsaturated Fat 1g, Monounsaturated Fat 5g, Trans Fat 1g, Cholesterol 80mg, Sodium 295mg, Potassium 153mg, Fiber 3g, Sugar 32g, Vitamin A 674IU, Vitamin C 0.1mg, Calcium 89mg, Iron 2mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie Barnard — a professional food blogger with over 14 years of experience helping busy families make dinner fast, easy, and affordable.

At Eating on a Dime, I share simple, budget-friendly recipes that are tested in my own kitchen and approved by my 8 kids. With millions of readers each month, I’m here to help you cook real food for real families — without the stress.

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5 from 6 votes

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Comments

  1. Cory says:

    5 stars
    My wife made these for breakfast and the kids went crazy over them! We love making this recipe now and the kids are constantly asking for us to make them!

    Reply
  2. Christina says:

    5 stars
    This recipe turned out exactly like the pictures. Thank you for making it so easy to follow!

    Reply
  3. George says:

    5 stars
    So Good

    Reply
  4. Casey says:

    5 stars
    We love chocolate and cinnamon rolls and so I knew I would love this recipe! Delicious!

    Reply
  5. Haylee says:

    5 stars
    So sweet and tasty! Love them

    Reply
  6. Casey says:

    5 stars
    The best Cinnamon Rolls I have ever had and so easy to make!

    Reply