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Black Cocoa Cinnamon Rolls (Halloween Edition)

These Black Cocoa Cinnamon Rolls take everything you love about classic cinnamon rolls and give them a dark, dramatic upgrade. The black cocoa dough bakes up soft and pillowy, the filling is rich and spiced, and the cream cheese icing adds the perfect sweet tang.
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time22 minutes
dough rise1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time2 hours 20 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 9 rolls

Ingredients

Black Cocoa Dough

  • ¾ cup whole milk Warm (100–110°F)
  • 2¼ tsp instant yeast
  • ¼ cup 50g granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg room temp
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1/2-1 tsp black food coloring optional
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ⅓ cup black cocoa powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp espresso powder to deepen the chocolate flavor (optional)
  • 1/3 cup chocolate chips Measure with your heart! (optional)

Cinnamon–Black Cocoa Filling

  • 5 tbsp unsalted butter softened
  • ½ cup dark brown sugar packed
  • 1½ tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp black cocoa powder

Cream Soak

  • ¼ cup warm heavy cream

Cream Cheese Icing

  • 4 oz cream cheese softened
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter softened
  • ¾ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1-2 tbsp milk for consistency
  • Gel food coloring: orange or neon green
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Black Cocoa Dough

  • In a stand mixer bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
    ¾ cup whole milk, 2¼ tsp instant yeast, ¼ cup 50g granulated sugar
  • Add the egg, yolk, and black food coloring if using, and mix to combine.
    1 large egg, 1 egg yolk, 1/2-1 tsp black food coloring
  • Add flour, black cocoa, salt, and espresso powder. Mix for about 2 minutes, then add in the softened butter.
    2½ cups all-purpose flour, ⅓ cup black cocoa powder, ½ tsp salt, 1/2 tsp espresso powder, ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • Knead on medium speed for 8–10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth, elastic, and shiny black.
  • Shape into a ball, place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled (about 60–90 minutes).

Cinnamon–Black Cocoa Filling

  • Mix butter, sugar, cinnamon, and cocoa until it forms a smooth paste.
    5 tbsp unsalted butter, ½ cup dark brown sugar, 1½ tbsp ground cinnamon, 2 tbsp black cocoa powder
  • Once the dough has doubled, roll it into a 12x14.5-inch rectangle.
  • Spread the filling evenly all over the surface, reaching close to the edges. Sprinkle some chocolate chips if you'd like.
    1/3 cup chocolate chips
  • Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, slice the dough into 99 long strips along the 14.5-inch side. Each strip should be about 1.5-1.6 inches wide. Working one strip at a time, roll each one up from one short end to another to form individual cinnamon rolls. This method is a little less messy and helps keep the filling in place while rolling.
  • 
Place the rolls in a greased 9x9-inch pan. Cover and let rise for 30–45 minutes until puffy.
Right before baking, pour the warm heavy cream between and around the rolls, this keeps them extra moist and rich.
    ¼ cup warm heavy cream
  • Bake at 350°F for 22–25 minutes, until just set and the centers are puffed but still soft. Don't overbake!

Instructions:

  • Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
    4 oz cream cheese, 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • Add powdered sugar and vanilla, then beat until fluffy.
    ¾ cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Mix in milk until you reach a spreadable consistency. Add as much or as little milk as you want to make sure the cream cheese icing fits your preference!
    1-2 tbsp milk
  • Optional: Add food coloring until your frosting is vivid and Halloween-ready. Top with Halloween sprinkles
    Gel food coloring: orange or neon green
  • Spread generously over slightly warm rolls so it melts a little into the spirals. Decorate with sprinkles and enjoy!

Notes

Optional Halloween Touches
• Top with candy eyes or black sprinkles.
• Drizzle neon green or orange white chocolate over the frosting for a “gooey slime” look.
• Swirl black cocoa into the colored frosting for a marbled spooky effect.
Keep them regular by not adding any of the food coloring or sprinkles on top!

Nutrition

Calories: 507Calories | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 99mg | Sodium: 196mg | Potassium: 244mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 792IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 93mg | Iron: 3mg