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–+ servings

Coffee Cinnamon Rolls

5 from 4 votes
Elien Lewis
These coffee cinnamon rolls are seriously delicious. They've got a super soft and tender dough, filled with a rich espresso cinnamon filling and topped with coffee cream cheese icing. 
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coffee roll.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Additional Time 2 hours
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 12

Ingredients
 
 

Dough

  • 240 g whole milk
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast or active dry yeast
  • 50 g granulated sugar
  • 530 g all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 85 g butter softened to room temperature

Filling

  • 55 g butter softened to room temperature
  • 100 g soft brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 tsp instant coffee powder or espresso powder

Frosting

  • 30 g whole milk
  • 1/2 tablespoon instant coffee powder or espresso powder
  • 113 g cream cheese block-style, room temperature
  • 30 g butter softened to room temperature
  • 180 g confectioners sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract

Instructions
 

Make the Dough

  • Warm the milk to around 95 to 104°F / 35 to 40°C and pour it into the bowl of a stand mixer. Sprinkle over the yeast and sugar. If using active dry yeast, let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy. This step can be skipped with instant yeast.
  • Add the flour, eggs and salt. Fit the mixer with the dough hook and mix on low speed until a thick dough forms.
  • Add the softened butter a few cubes at a time, allowing it to mix in before adding more.
  • Continue mixing on low speed for around 10 to 15 minutes, until the dough is smooth, glossy and strong and passes the windowpane test.

First Rise

  • Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, around 1 to 1 ½ hours.
  • Alternatively, cover the dough tightly and refrigerate for up to 16 hours.

Make the Filling

  • Beat together the softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and instant coffee until creamy and combined.

Shape the Rolls

  • Grease or line a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
  • Turn the risen dough onto a lightly floured work surface. If it has been refrigerated overnight, it can be rolled while still cold.
  • Roll the dough into a 12 x 16-inch / 30 x 40cm rectangle.
  • Spread the coffee cinnamon filling evenly over the dough.
  • Starting from a long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log.
  • Cut into 12 equal rolls using unflavored dental floss or a serrated knife.
  • Place the rolls in the prepared baking dish. Cover and let them rise in a warm place until very puffy and doubled in size.

Bake

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F / 180°C.
  • Bake for around 25 to 28 minutes, until the tops are golden brown. If they are browning too quickly, loosely cover the pan with foil.

Coffee Cream Cheese Frosting

  • Stir the instant coffee into the milk. If needed, warm it briefly to help dissolve the coffee, then let it cool completely.
  • Beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
  • Add the confectioners' sugar, vanilla and cooled coffee mixture. Beat on low speed until combined, then increase the speed and beat until creamy.
  • Let the rolls cool for around 20 minutes before spreading over the frosting.

Notes

  • Overnight option: After kneading, cover the dough tightly and refrigerate for up to 16 hours. Shape the rolls the following day, then let them rise at room temperature until very puffy before baking.
  • Yeast: Instant yeast will generally rise faster than active dry yeast.
  • Coffee: Instant espresso powder gives a stronger coffee flavor than regular instant coffee.
  • Flour: For the best structure, use all-purpose flour with at least 11% protein.
  • Measurements: This recipe is written using grams as the primary measurement. US cup measurements are included for convenience, but weighing ingredients gives the most consistent results.
  • Storage: Because of the cream cheese frosting, store leftover rolls covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Bring them to room temperature or gently warm before serving. Unfrosted or frosted rolls can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1rollCalories: 437kcalCarbohydrates: 64gProtein: 8gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 74mgSodium: 340mgPotassium: 156mgFiber: 2gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 563IUVitamin C: 0.02mgCalcium: 62mgIron: 2mg
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