This one goes out to all Nutella lovers like us! These rolls take everyone's favorite hazelnut spread and transform it into a gooey, chocolaty masterpiece. From the pillowy soft dough to the rich Nutella swirl and irresistible Nutella glaze on top, this recipe is pure decadence.
Nutella lovers may want a quick fix with us Nutella Fruit Dip Or engage more with us Nutella Stuffed Churro Cookies.
Why our recipe?
- Loaded with Nutella both swirled inside the roll and then added frosting to drizzle on top.
- Uses our famous melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon roll dough for soft rolls every time.
- Overnight and make-head options bring convenience of consumption.
We've paired our famous melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon roll dough with not one, but two layers of Nutella goodness. We swirled a lot between the rolls and then drizzled more on top as a creamy glaze. With overnight and make-ahead options you can bake fresh rolls first thing in the morning.
Material notes
- Warm milk (100-110°F): Aim for a warm, bathwater-like sensation. Whole or 2% milk works well, although milk alternatives are good. Use a thermometer if unsure.
- Instant Dry Yeast: Instant yeast does not need to be activated beforehand. If you only have active dry yeast, let rise an additional 10-15 minutes.
- Salted Butter: If you only have unsalted butter, add a pinch of salt. Make sure it is at room temperature.
- All-Purpose Flour: Bread flour can also be used. It gives a slightly chewier crumb.
- Nutella: Soften Nutella slightly by microwaving for 10-15 seconds to make it easier to spread.
- Brown Sugar: Either light or dark brown sugar works.
- Ground Cinnamon: Use a high quality cinnamon for best results.
- Cream Cheese: Make sure it's softened for a smooth, creamy glaze.
- Powdered Sugar: Add it half a cup at a time. More powdered sugar makes a thicker frosting. How thick you make it is a matter of personal preference. Some prefer a glaze while others prefer a spreadable frosting.
The feel of the dough
The amount of flour added to make the dough always varies slightly so it helps to go by feel. The dough should be soft, slightly sticky and easy to handle. It should just pull away from the sides of the bowl without sticking. Adding too much flour will make the dough stiff, resulting in a stiff roll. Aim for a dough that feels soft and pillowy to the touch—that's the secret to perfectly fluffy cinnamon rolls!
Adjust the frosting
How thick or thin you make the glaze is a matter of personal preference—some enjoy a lighter glaze, while others prefer a rich, frosting-like topping. It's your choice!
For the thin glaze: Use less powdered sugar and add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk or heavy cream if needed. This creates a drizzly consistency that lightly coats the cinnamon rolls.
For a thick, spreadable frosting: Use all 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar. This results in a thick, creamy frosting that holds its shape when spread over the rolls. To keep it fully holding its shape, wait until the rolls are completely cooled before frosting.
Don't have a stand mixer? No problem!
You can always knead your dough by hand the old-fashioned way. Start stirring with a spoon until it becomes very hard to stir. Then, turn the dough out onto a clean surface and knead the dough with your hands, gradually adding more flour and folding, pressing and working the dough (dough) until you have a soft and smooth ball of dough that is sticky, but Not sticky. Enough to stick in your hand.
rolling and cutting
When rolling the dough, make sure it is rolled tightly to prevent air pockets and protect the filling. Once rolled, use a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss for clean, precise cuts.
For knife method, Use a serrated knife to gently cut through the dough. Avoid pressing too hard to prevent squishing the rolls.
With dental floss, Slide it under the roll, crossing the top edges and pull tight for a perfect cut without flattening the dough.
Make-Ahead Instructions
Overnight instructions
After filling, rolling, cutting and placing each Nutella roll in the pan, cover with plastic wrap and store in your refrigerator. The next day, remove them from the fridge. Let them sit at room temperature for 45 minutes to 1 hour to rise before baking.
Freezer Instructions
Roll and cut your cinnamon rolls and place the rolls a few inches apart on a baking sheet to freeze separately. Once frozen, transfer to a resealable plastic freezer bag. When ready to bake, place in a lightly greased baking dish and let come to room temperature before baking, about 2 hours.
Storage instructions
shop Nutella cinnamon rolls keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days.
Keep in fridge Leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Just remember that refrigeration can sometimes dry them out, so reheating them before eating will help restore their soft texture.
Reheat Roll individually in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, or warm in a 350°F oven until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.
