Irresistible Homemade Nutella Cinnamon Rolls: Your New Favorite Sweet Treat
Prepare to elevate your breakfast and dessert game with a fusion that’s nothing short of extraordinary: Homemade Nutella Cinnamon Rolls! We all know and love the comforting warmth of a classic cinnamon roll, and who can resist the creamy, hazelnut-chocolate delight that is Nutella? Combining these two powerhouses results in a decadent, gooey, and utterly satisfying treat that will have everyone asking for more. This recipe takes your favorite cinnamon roll base and infuses it with that unmistakable Nutella magic, creating a dessert (or breakfast!) experience that’s truly unforgettable.
Forget store-bought pastries; these homemade Nutella cinnamon rolls are baked to a golden-brown perfection, promising soft, fluffy spirals brimming with rich chocolate-hazelnut flavor. It’s the kind of indulgence you deserve, especially on a lazy weekend morning or as a special sweet ending to any meal. Get ready to embark on a baking adventure that combines simplicity with sensational taste.
The Ultimate Sweet Combination: Why Nutella Cinnamon Rolls Are a Must-Try
Why settle for just cinnamon when you can have cinnamon *and* Nutella? This recipe is born from a desire to combine two of the most universally adored flavors into one harmonious, irresistible package. While classic cinnamon rolls are a beloved staple, the addition of Nutella introduces a new layer of depth and richness, transforming a traditional favorite into an exciting new experience. Each bite delivers a burst of warm spice from the cinnamon perfectly balanced by the creamy, sweet, and slightly nutty notes of Nutella.
What makes these rolls truly stand out is their incredible flavor profile. Despite the strong presence of Nutella, which you might expect to overpower everything, the cinnamon still shines through, creating a delightful interplay of tastes. The texture is equally divine: wonderfully soft and incredibly gooey, with a slight chewiness that makes them incredibly satisfying. They’re the perfect balance of sweet and comforting, making them ideal for a special breakfast, a decadent brunch item, or a delightful dessert served with coffee or a cold glass of milk.
Crafting the Perfect Dough: The Heart of Your Nutella Cinnamon Rolls
The secret to truly amazing cinnamon rolls lies in their soft, pillowy dough. Our recipe starts with a robust, yeasted dough that’s surprisingly simple to make, even for novice bakers. The key steps involve activating the yeast, combining wet and dry ingredients, and then kneading until the dough is smooth and elastic. Don’t be intimidated by working with yeast; it’s a straightforward process that yields incredibly rewarding results.
Using a stand mixer with a dough hook makes the kneading process a breeze, but you can certainly achieve great results by hand. The goal is to develop the gluten in the flour, which gives the rolls their signature chewiness and structure. After kneading, the dough undergoes its first rise in a warm place, transforming into a light and airy base that’s ready to be rolled out and filled. This rising period is essential for developing flavor and achieving that perfectly soft texture, so don’t rush it!
The Irresistible Filling & Dreamy Cream Cheese Frosting
Once your dough has risen beautifully, it’s time for the star of the show: the Nutella filling! To ensure the Nutella spreads easily and evenly across your rolled-out dough, a quick warm-up in the microwave is recommended. This makes it wonderfully pliable, allowing you to create a generous, luscious layer of hazelnut-chocolate goodness from edge to edge. A sprinkle of aromatic cinnamon over the Nutella further enhances the flavor, marrying the two key ingredients perfectly.
And what’s a cinnamon roll without its crowning glory? Our cream cheese frosting is the perfect sweet and tangy complement to the rich Nutella and spiced dough. Made with softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and a touch of warm milk, it whips up into a smooth, decadent glaze that cascades over the warm rolls. The slight tang of the cream cheese cuts through the sweetness, creating a balanced and utterly addictive finish. You’ll want to spread it on generously, ensuring every inch of your warm, freshly baked rolls is covered in this delightful topping.
Essential Tips for Fluffy & Gooey Rolls Every Time
- Activate Your Yeast Properly: Ensure your water is warm (around 105-115°F or 40-46°C) but not hot, as too-hot water will kill the yeast. Look for a foamy layer after 5 minutes; if it doesn’t foam, your yeast might be old or the water temperature was off.
- Don’t Over-Flour: Add flour gradually to the dough. The dough should be smooth and slightly sticky, not dry. Too much flour will result in dense, tough rolls.
- Warm Rising Environment: Find a warm, draft-free spot for your dough to rise. A slightly warm oven (turned off, with just the light on) or a sunny spot works well. Proper rising is crucial for light and airy rolls.
- Microwave the Nutella: Warming the Nutella makes it much easier to spread evenly, ensuring every part of your roll gets a delicious chocolate-hazelnut swirl.
- Use Dental Floss for Cutting: This might sound unusual, but unflavored dental floss is the secret to perfectly shaped, non-squished cinnamon rolls. Slide it under the log of dough, cross the ends over the top, and pull to cut.
- Don’t Overbake: Bake until golden brown. Overbaking can dry out your rolls. They should be soft to the touch when done.
- Frost While Warm: Apply the cream cheese frosting while the rolls are still warm from the oven. This allows the frosting to melt slightly and seep into all the nooks and crannies, creating an even more irresistible texture.
Homemade Nutella Cinnamon Rolls
Save RecipeSaved Recipe
Pin Recipe
Rate Recipe
Print Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 2 1/2 tsp dry active yeast
- 1 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 4 tbsp unsalted melted butter
- 4 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
Filling
- 1 cup Nutella
- 2 tsp cinnamon
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 ounces softened cream cheese
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tbsp warm milk
Instructions
-
In the bowl of a standing mixer, combine the warm water, yeast, and 1/4 tsp sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
-
Once the yeast foams up, stir in the milk, sugar, egg, salt, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
-
Add half of the flour to the yeast mixture and combine until well incorporated.
-
Add the remaining flour slowly and mix with a dough hook for 5-6 minutes or until the dough is smooth and slightly sticky.
-
Lightly flour your working surface and roll out the dough a knead it for 1 minute with your hands.
-
Form the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl then cover it and place it in a warm place for 2 hours or until the dough doubles in size.
-
Place the Nutella in a small bowl and microwave until the Nutella becomes loose.
-
When the dough has doubled in size, roll it onto a lightly floured surface. Using a rolling pin, flatten the dough into a 15×10 rectangle. Spread the Nutella over the dough within 1/2 inch of the edges.
-
Sprinkle the cinnamon over the dough within 1/2 inch of the edges.
-
Beginning at the 15-inch side, tightly roll the dough into a log.
-
Using unflavored dental floss, cut 12 rolls and place them on a buttered 9×13 baking dish.
-
Cover the rolls and place them in a warm place. Let them rise for 45 minutes or until the rolls double in size.
-
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
-
Once the rolls double in size, place them in the oven and bake them for 28-30 minutes.
-
While the rolls bake, prepare the cream cheese frosting by combining the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and warm milk until nice and smooth.
-
Spread the cream cheese frosting all over the cinnamon rolls and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Like this recipe? Leave a comment below!
Serving Suggestions and Storage
These Nutella cinnamon rolls are incredibly versatile. Serve them warm for breakfast or brunch, perhaps alongside a fresh fruit salad and a cup of coffee or a tall glass of cold milk, just as the picture suggests! They also make a fantastic dessert, especially when slightly warmed. For an extra touch of decadence, you can add a dusting of cocoa powder or a few chopped hazelnuts on top of the frosting.
If you happen to have any leftovers (which is a big “if”!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, simply microwave for 15-30 seconds or warm in an oven at 250°F (120°C) until soft and gooey again. These rolls freeze well too! Wrap individual rolls tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil, and they’ll keep for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature and reheat as desired.
Variations to Inspire Your Baking Creativity
While this recipe is perfect as is, don’t hesitate to experiment with variations to suit your taste:
- Nutella & Banana: Before rolling, slice thin rounds of banana over the Nutella layer for a classic flavor pairing.
- Spiced Nutella: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the cinnamon in the filling for a more complex spice profile.
- Different Frostings: If cream cheese isn’t your favorite, a simple vanilla glaze (powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract) or a chocolate ganache would also be delicious.
- Mini Rolls: For smaller, bite-sized treats, roll the dough thinner and cut into more, smaller pieces, adjusting baking time accordingly.
Ultimately, these homemade Nutella cinnamon rolls are more than just a recipe; they’re an experience. They combine the cozy familiarity of classic baking with the irresistible joy of Nutella, resulting in a treat that’s perfect for sharing with loved ones or savoring all by yourself. We hope you enjoy baking and devouring these delightful rolls as much as we do!