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Berry + Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls

Prep Time4 hours
Cook Time18 minutes
Total Time4 hours 18 minutes
Course: Breakfast
Servings: 12
Author: Valentina | The Baking Fairy

Ingredients

  • for the rolls
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 cups white whole wheat flour {+ ½ cup separated}
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • ¼ cup white sugar + 2-3 tablespoon for filling
  • ½ tablespoon instant active dry yeast {about ½ a package}
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2-3 tablespoon butter melted
  • 1 cup frozen mixed berries thawed
  • ½ cup dark chocolate chips
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • for the frosting
  • 2 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1 tablespoon butter softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar {more or less depending how stiff you want the frosting}
  • 2-3 strawberries mashed

Instructions

  • In a large nonstick pot, combine the milk, oil, and ¼ cup of sugar. Heat up to about 120F {warmer than body temperature but NOT burning hot} over medium heat, then remove from burner and sprinkle the yeast on top. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes to allow the yeast to activate.
  • Afterwards, mix in the 2 cups of flour, cover the pot with a clean tea towel, and let the dough rise for about 1 hour.
  • After the first rise, add in the salt, baking powder, baking soda, and additional flour. Knead until all the flour has been absorbed, and add more if needed. You want the dough to be soft and smooth but not too sticky! Using a sharp knife, cut an X on top of your dough {this helps it rise }, cover with a tea towel again, and let rise for an additional 3+ hours. You can let it rise overnight at this point, or you can also wait until the next step!
  • After the second rise, lightly flour a clean surface, and dump the dough on top. Knead it for 2-3 minutes, adding more flour as needed. The dough should be smooth and easy to work with, so add flour if it's too sticky!
  • Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out into a rough rectangle, making sure you don't roll it out too thin. Spread the melted butter all over the dough surface, then sprinkle the additional 2-3 tablespoon of sugar and cinnamon on top. Sprinkle the thawed berries on the dough {make sure to NOT add any of the berry juice!} along with the chocolate chips.
  • Starting on the long side closest to you, roll up the dough, being careful that no toppings fall out of the sides.
  • Using a large, smooth knife, cut 1 ½-2 inch slices of dough, and place them in a greased 9x13 pan {or you can use a cast iron skillet plus another small pan}. Make sure to leave some space between the rolls to allow them to rise more!
  • At this point, you can cover the pans with plastic wrap and either let them rise for 30 minutes in a warm place, or place them in the refrigerator overnight.
  • When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375F. Bake the rolls 15-18 minutes, until the tops are golden brown and no longer doughy.
  • While the rolls bake, prepare the frosting. In a small bowl, using a hand mixer, beat together the cream cheese and butter.
  • Wash your strawberries, remove the green tops and stems, and crush them over the bowl using your hands. Beat the mixture with the mixer for another minute or so to ensure the strawberries are mashed.
  • Add in the powdered sugar a ½ cup at a time until desired consistency is reached {you might not use all the sugar listed}.
  • When the rolls are cooked through, remove from the oven and immediately spread the frosting on top. Let cool for a few minutes, then serve and enjoy!