These chocolate chip cinnamon rolls are an easy and delicious way to start the morning. The sweet rolls have chocolate cream cheese frosting and are kid-approved in our house.
The post for chocolate chip cinnamon rolls was first published in May 2014. It was updated and republished in March 2025.
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Cinnamon Rolls with Chocolate Chips
I love making no-yeast cinnamon rolls for a quick and delicious breakfast treat. My favorite part is not waiting for the dough to rise. You can make, bake, and dig into these yummy breakfast rolls in under an hour!
Over the years, I've experimented with different flavors. Some of our favorites include banana cinnamon rolls and apple butter rolls. The best part? You only need a bowl and a fork, so there are only a few dishes to clean up afterward!
This time, I decided to add chocolate chips to the dough and a sweet chocolate icing on top. It was my best idea of the week! Pair it with a chocolate latte, and it's the perfect breakfast for the chocolate lovers in your life.
Key Ingredients
The dough and filling for these no-yeast rolls come together quickly using ingredients you probably already have.
- Sugar: This recipe uses three types of sugar. It uses granulated and brown sugar in the rolls and powdered sugar in the frosting.
- Cinnamon: You can use whatever you have at home; however, make sure it’s fresh since spices can lose their potency over time.
- All-Purpose Flour: Measure your flour using the fluff and spoon method or a scale to measure it. Adding too much flour can ruin your baked goods.
- Leavening: The combination of baking soda and baking powder gives these rolls a good rise.
- Mini Chocolate Chips: I like to use smaller chips because they spread out more in the dough.
- Buttermilk: Helps the dough rise as it bakes and gives baked goods a softer texture. You can also use whole milk or half-and-half.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds a rich flavor to the dough.
- Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing: To make a sweet topping, mix confectioners' sugar, cream cheese, dark cocoa powder, and heavy cream in a bowl.
How To Make Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Rolls
Learn how to make chocolate chip sweet rolls with our easy instructions. The dough comes together quickly with a spoon and a bowl.
Stir the dry ingredients and the chocolate chips in a large mixing bowl. Pour the milk and melted butter into the flour mixture and stir until a soft dough forms.
Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and knead a few times. Then, press it out with your fingers or a rolling pin to form a 10x14-inch rectangle.
Spread melted butter over the top of the dough, then sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar mixture. Roll it up starting with the shorter side, and then cut the roll into nine equal pieces.
Place the rolled dough in a buttered baking dish, drizzle them with more butter, and bake until golden brown. Before you know it, the easy cinnamon rolls are ready to eat.
Let the rolls rest in the hot pan for a few minutes. Then, slather on the chocolate frosting and dig into the warm deliciousness!
Storage Recommendations
These homemade cinnamon rolls are best served the day they are made. They will still taste great if you make them one day ahead of time, but they are the softest and best when they are fresh.
Keep the baked rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat each one in the microwave for 15-20 seconds for a soft and gooey texture.
Tips and Tricks
- Do not add too much flour or knead too much into the dough. Dry dough = dry cinnamon rolls.
- Knead the dough on a well-floured surface to keep it from sticking.
- Use a butter knife or flat spatula to gently loosen the dough from the counter as you roll everything up.
- Cut the dough log easily with unflavored dental floss to keep the roll from squishing.
- Try these rolls plain, or top them with vanilla buttercream or cream cheese frosting.
More Chocolate Breakfast Ideas
- Strawberry Chocolate Cinnamon Roll Bake
- Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls
- Nutella Pop Tarts
- Chocolate Zucchini Cheesecake Muffins
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Recipe
Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Rolls
These chocolate chip cinnamon rolls are an easy and delicious way to start the morning. The sweet rolls have chocolate cream cheese frosting and are kid-approved in our house.
Ingredients
For the Filling
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
For the Dough
- 2 ¾ cups all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted & divided
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
For the Frosting
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons dark cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Grease an 8x8 pan with butter.
- Mix the filling ingredients and set aside.
- Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, chocolate chips, and salt. Create a hole in the middle of the ingredients and pour in the buttermilk and 2 Tablespoons of butter. Stir with a fork or spoon until a soft dough forms.
- Place the dough on a flour-lined counter or table. Knead the dough 5-6 times to incorporate a little flour. Use your fingers and palms to press the dough into a 10x14-inch rectangle, keeping the flour under it.
- Spread two tablespoons of melted butter over the dough. Evenly sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the butter.
- Gently roll the dough up from the shortest side. If the roll sticks to the counter, use a butter knife to slide it under the roll gently.
- Slice the roll into nine even rolls. Place them in the prepared pan. Drizzle with the remaining two tablespoons of butter. Bake for 20-22 minutes or until golden brown. Do not overbake.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes.
- Beat together the cream cheese and cream. Slowly add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder.
- Spread on the rolls and sprinkle with the extra mini chocolate chips. Store any leftover rolls in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
- Place one roll on a plate and heat for 10-20 seconds in the microwave.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 9 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 423Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 368mgCarbohydrates: 67gFiber: 2gSugar: 35gProtein: 6g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
Karen Anderson
Directions for frosting say, "Beat together the cream cheese and whipping cream. " The ingredients list Buttermilk instead of whipping cream. Which one is correct?
Thanks!
Jocelyn
I am so sorry about that. Actually either liquid will work, but I used heavy cream in the frosting. Thank you for letting me know, and I will go fix it right now.
Karen Anderson
Thanks!
kaytlen
Just wondering when you say roll the dough up from the shortest side, does that mean from the 10' side?
Jocelyn
Yes, you want to start rolling from the 10 inch side of the dough. I hope you enjoy the rolls 🙂
kaytlen
Thanks for your response. I look forward to trying them out. They look delicious.
And, this is a great website for yummy sweet things. We particularly loved your white chocolate funfetti fudge.
kaytlen
Just made it today and it was absolutely delicious. A bit messy to make, but well worth the effort. Thanks so much for sharing your recipes.
Rebecca
Who needs Cinnabon when you’ve got a recipe as amazing as this! 🙂
Chels R.
There is something about yeast that is intimidating and it took me forever to get comfortable with it. But I still have times when things that include yeast don't go my way. 🙁 But it always tastes fine.
Jaren (Diary of a Recipe Collector)
These look fabulous! I have recently been really mad at myself for rushing and messing up a recipe pretty badly...I almost cried.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Jaren! And don't cry, we definitely all have those days! 😉
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain
I'm not afraid of working with yeast, but I AM seriously into the idea of cinnamon rolls ready in 45 minutes! Especially of the chocolate chip variety. Agh. I need these in my life right this second! 😀
shawn @ IWYD
I love that you added chocolate chips to the dough! These look fantastic, and I'm not a huge fan of yeast either. It's a time thing for me, so I love how these rolls are made quickly! Brilliant!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Shawn!
Marcie
These look crazy good, Jocelyn! That chocolate cream cheese frosting looks divine. 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
The frosting was to die for! 😉 Thanks Marcie!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes
I love the CHOCOLATE cream cheese frosting - such a fun twist!!
Mary Frances
Usually recipes like this call for premade everything - I love homemade cinnamon rolls that are not only delicious, but fast! These look like the "real" deal and the extra chocolate is my kind of breakfast. Pinned!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Mary Frances! 😉
Chelsea @chelseasmessyapron
I LOVE different versions of cinnamon rolls! And chocolate chips on top are the best idea! Pinning 🙂
julia
Wow these chocolate chip cinnamon rolls look heavenly!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Julia! 🙂
Jenn @ Deliciously Sprinkled
I would love one or two of these chocolate chip cinnamon rolls right now! And I love how easy they are to make! 🙂
Christie - Food Done Light
These are calling my name. Love the addition of chocolate on a gorgeous cinnamon roll.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Christie!
Erin | The Law Student's Wife
My sister is always nervous to work with yeast too (even though I'm 100% confident both of you could handle it), so this is a perfect recipe for her! Chocolate for breakfast for life!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Mmm, I like the sound of chocolate for breakfast for life! 🙂
Lisa @ Garnish with Lemon
Can't wait to try this variation of the cinnamon rolls! My kids are crazy for chocolate chips!
Amy
Really you evil woman, as if cinnamon rolls weren't addictive enough you go and add chocolate? :)YUM!