There’s something truly enchanting about the aroma of fresh cinnamon rolls wafting through the house. It takes me back to lazy weekend mornings where I could spend hours sipping coffee while waiting for the warmth of fresh pastries to embrace me. And let me tell you, these Brown Butter Iced Mocha Cinnamon Rolls are a delightful addition to that nostalgia. Imagine the soft, pillowy dough enriched with rich cocoa and a hint of coffee, all drizzled with a sweet vanilla glaze that will tantalize your taste buds. They’re not just any cinnamon roll; they’re a twist of indulgent flavors, perfect for when you want a breakfast that feels like a hug!
What Makes This Recipe Special
Why, you ask, should you dive into making these rolls? Well, let’s start with the star of the show—brown butter. It’s practically a magic elixir in the culinary world. When you brown butter, you coax out nutty, caramel-like flavors that add depth to your pastries. Combine that with the aroma of cinnamon and the rich tones of mocha from the cocoa and coffee, and you have an irresistible treat that far surpasses ordinary cinnamon rolls. Every bite tells a story of warmth and comfort, making them perfect for a Sunday brunch, a special occasion, or simply treating yourself on a Tuesday morning. Plus, they’re surprisingly easy to make!
Gather These Ingredients
To embark on this delicious journey, you’ll need a handful of simple ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: This forms the backbone of our rolls. Feel free to use bread flour for a chewier texture if you like!
- 1/4 cup sugar: Just enough to sweeten the dough without overwhelming the other flavors.
- 1 packet active dry yeast: This little packet is responsible for the fluffiness, so don’t leave it behind!
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: A pinch of salt enhances all the sweet flavors.
- 1/2 cup milk, warmed: Just warm it up slightly; think of a cozy bath for the yeast!
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, browned: Ah, the icing on the cake—literally! Browning the butter adds a mouthwatering depth that’s just heavenly.
- 1 large egg: It adds richness and binds everything together.
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder: Because who can resist a hint of chocolate?
- 1 tablespoon strong brewed coffee: It brings out the chocolate flavor beautifully—trust me on this!
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon: The spice that makes us think of comfort food and warm kitchens.
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for icing): A sweet ending to an already delightful creation.
- 1 tablespoon milk (for icing): This helps achieve that lovely drizzle.
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla never hurt anyone, right?
Preparing Brown Butter Iced Mocha Cinnamon Rolls
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Mix the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. It’s like bringing together old friends—they’re better together!
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Whisk the wet ingredients: In another bowl, mix the warm milk, browned butter, egg, cocoa powder, brewed coffee, and cinnamon. Each ingredient blends seamlessly into a beautiful chocolatey elixir.
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Combine and knead: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients gradually. Mix it until everything comes together. Now, knead that dough! It should be smooth and just a touch sticky. Let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in size—about an hour. This part is magic; just let it happen!
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Roll it out: After that well-deserved rise, roll out your dough into a rectangle. Spread some softened butter and generously sprinkle with cinnamon sugar to bring that sweet essence to life. Roll it up tightly and slice into rolls.
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Second rise: Place those beautiful rolls in a greased baking dish and let them rise again, puffing up with excitement.
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Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 20-25 minutes, until they turn a lovely golden brown.
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Ice and serve: For the final touch, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl. Drizzle over the warm rolls and let the icing ooze into every crevice.
Best Way to Enjoy It
These rolls practically glow with warmth and deliciousness. I recommend enjoying them fresh out of the oven, paired with a strong cup of coffee or hot cocoa—double the chocolate goodness! If you’re feeling fancy, add a dollop of whipped cream on top or serve them with warm maple syrup on the side for that extra indulgence.
Keeping Leftovers Fresh
If, by some miracle, you have leftovers (I doubt it!), let them cool completely and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage, consider freezing them after they cool. Just wrap them tightly in foil, seal in a freezer bag, and freeze! When you’re ready for a treat, pop them in the microwave for a quick warm-up, or place them in the oven at low heat until warmed through.
Pro Chef Tips
- Don’t rush the rising—patience pays off, and you’ll be rewarded with light, fluffy rolls.
- If you don’t have strong brewed coffee on hand, espresso works beautifully as a substitute; you want that rich flavor!
- For even more depth, consider toasting your cinnamon just a little before adding it. It’ll elevate the flavor to new heights.
Creative Twists
Want to mix things up? Try adding chopped nuts or chocolate chips into the filling before rolling! Or, swap the cocoa powder for matcha powder for a fun twist on flavor. A vanilla glaze instead of a mocha one? Yes, please! You can truly take these rolls to whatever flavor destination you crave.
Your Questions Answered
- How long do they take to make? The overall prep time, including rising, is about 2.5 hours, but don’t worry, most of that is passive time waiting for dough to rise!
- Can I use whole wheat flour? Absolutely! Just keep in mind that the texture will change slightly. You might want to mix it with all-purpose flour for the best results.
- What’s the best way to warm them up? Microwave for 15-20 seconds for a quick fix, or place in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes.
- Can I omit the coffee? Sure! Just replace it with extra milk or a splash of almond milk for a different taste.
- How do I make them ahead of time? You can prepare them the night before, cover, and store them in the fridge. Just take them out in the morning to come to room temperature and let them rise again before baking.
You’ll want to roll up your sleeves and give this recipe a try! Each step leads to a mouthwatering reward that’s satisfying to make and even better to share. So go ahead, take that leap into baking bliss, experiment with your own flavors, and let’s create some kitchen magic together! I can’t wait to hear how your rolls turn out!
Brown Butter Iced Mocha Cinnamon Rolls
Description
These Brown Butter Iced Mocha Cinnamon Rolls are soft and pillowy, enriched with cocoa and coffee flavors, and topped with a sweet vanilla glaze.Ingredients for Brown Butter Iced Mocha Cinnamon Rolls
Dough
Icing
Instructions for Making Brown Butter Iced Mocha Cinnamon Rolls
Preparation
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Mix the dry ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.This forms the base of the cinnamon rolls. -
Whisk the wet ingredients
In another bowl, mix the warm milk, browned butter, egg, cocoa powder, brewed coffee, and cinnamon.This will create a flavorful mixture. -
Combine and knead the dough
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients gradually and mix until combined. Knead until smooth and slightly sticky. Let it rise until doubled in size, about an hour.The rising time is crucial for fluffy rolls. -
Roll and shape
Roll out the dough into a rectangle, spread softened butter, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, and roll tightly. Cut into rolls.Be generous with the cinnamon sugar! -
Second rise
Place the rolls in a greased baking dish and let rise again.This will make them fluffy when baked. -
Bake
Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.Watch them closely towards the end. -
Ice and serve
Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla for the icing. Drizzle over warm rolls.The warm rolls will soak up the icing beautifully.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 12
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 400kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 20g31%
- Saturated Fat 10g50%
- Trans Fat 0g
- Cholesterol 40mg14%
- Sodium 300mg13%
- Potassium 150mg5%
- Total Carbohydrate 50g17%
- Dietary Fiber 2g8%
- Sugars 15g
- Protein 6g12%
- Vitamin A 500 IU
- Vitamin C 0 mg
- Calcium 100 mg
- Iron 2 mg
- Vitamin D 0 IU
- Vitamin E 0 IU
- Vitamin K 0 mcg
- Thiamin 0.2 mg
- Riboflavin 0.1 mg
- Niacin 0.5 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.1 mg
- Folate 20 mcg
- Vitamin B12 0.2 mcg
- Biotin 0 mcg
- Pantothenic Acid 0.3 mg
- Phosphorus 80 mg
- Iodine 0 mcg
- Magnesium 10 mg
- Zinc 0.5 mg
- Selenium 0 mcg
- Copper 0.1 mg
- Manganese 0.2 mg
- Chromium 0 mcg
- Molybdenum 0 mcg
- Chloride 0 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
