Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls

Divinemom5's Note:

A delicious, different cinnamon roll recipe.

• Total Time: 2 hrs 27 mins
• Prep Time: 2 hrs
• Cook Time: 27 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 12

Yield: 12.0 rolls

• 1 (¼ ounce) package yeast
• ¾ cup water (110-115 degrees)
• ½ cup shortening
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1⁄3; cup cocoa
• 2 ¼ cups flour
• 1 teaspoon softened butter
• 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
• chopped nuts (optional)

Icing ingredients

• ¾ cup powdered sugar
• 2 -3 teaspoons cream
• ½ teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

1. In medium bowl,dissolve yeast in water.
2. Stir in shortening, salt, sugar, egg, cocoa, and 1 cup flour.
3. Beat 2 minutes on medium speed of mixer, or 300 vigorous strokes by hand.
4. Scrape side of bowl, stir in remaining flour; blend well.
5. Cover and let rise in warm place until double (about 1 hour). Stir dough down by beating 25 strokes.
6. Turn soft dough into well floured surface; roll into 8x12-inch rectangle.
7. Spread with softened butter and sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mixture.
8. Roll up beginning with wide edge.
9. Pinch edges together.
10. Cut into 12 pieces.
11. Place in greased 9x13-inch pan.
12. Let rise until doubled (about 40 minutes) Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes.
13. Combine icing ingredients, adding enough cream for good spreading consistency.
14. Spread on rolls immediately and then sprinkle with nuts if desired.
15. Serve warm.
16. Can also use favorite cream cheese icing to frost.

Reviews

[Miss Erin]

This was the first time I've ever made cinnamon rolls and they turned out pretty good. For the filling, I used chopped almonds and pecans and added about a tablespoon of cocoa to the sugar, cinnamon mixture. For the frosting, I mixed 3 oz cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 Tbls orange juice and 1/2 a cup of mini-chocolate chips. What a hit! It did take a little longer, the first rising took about 2 hours, but that might have been the yeast, or it may have been too cool.

[** Poppy **]

I made these rolls this morning. Very easy and pretty quick ( except for the rising:) They were delicious! they took a little longer to rise..but I think it was because of the cold!! Will be a regular in my house! Thank you Divinemom5 ! :)

[Rachie P]

These were nice. I couldn't figure out how much sugar to combine with the cinnamon for the fililng and guessed. I wish I had increased the cinnamon for more of a Mexican hot cocoa flavor. Also, since I didn't know how sweet it'd be and needed something rich, I threw in about 1/4 c chocolate chips to the filling- that was great! I liked the bread-type texture of the roll. I will try it again, this time increasing the filling.