Brownie Batter Cinnamon Rolls

Name: Brownie Batter Cinnamon Rolls
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Ingredients: 115 gm Butter; 115 gm Dark chocolate; 1 tsp Espresso powder / instant coffee powder; 2 Eggs; 100 gm White sugar; 100 gm Brown sugar; 65 gm Flour; 2 tbsp gm Cocoa powder; 1 tsp Vanilla; ¼ tsp Salt; 360 ml warm milk; 2 tsp instant yeast; 2 tbsp sugar; 1 cup yogurt; 115 g melted butter; 600 g flour + 60g for rolling; 1 tsp salt; 1 tbsp baking powder; 115 g browned butter; 213 g brown sugar; 2 tsp cinnamon powder; 200 g icing sugar; 50 g cocoa powder; 1 tbsp melted butter; 30 ml hot milk

Fluffy, buttery and soft cinnamon rolls layered with a fudge chocolate brownie batter, rolled and bake until ooey and gooey. Topped with a cocoa icing for the most indulgent and delicious sweet bread recipe.

So, the banana bread batter cinnamon rolls kind went viral. With over 5 million views on TikTok and 2 million views on instagram I can very confidently say that pretty much everyone went CRAZY over them. Rightfully so – but I am biased since I made them and absolutely love them. Hence it let me to this masterpiece of a recipe, brownie batter cinnamon rolls. Now if you know anything about me – know this: I love brownies and I love cinnamon rolls. I have got so many recipes for both of them on the blog and you can treat yourself to those recipes. Hence it only seemed fitting to bring them together.

These cinnamon rolls are my no knead cinnamon roll dough recipe with a rich and buttery cinnamon brown sugar butter. I have layered on my crackle top fudge brownie batter, rolled it up, cut them and baked it until gooey, fudgy and golden. They are meant to be soft and fluffy in the middle but crispy and golden on the top. I also like adding dark chocolate chunks while layering on the batter to add more of a gooey chocolate vibe but it doesn’t not need it. Once baked you can top it with my cocoa icing for an even more indulgent chocolate kick. This recipe is such a winner I honestly love these cinnamon rolls more than I did with the banana bread batter ones. So let us get to it.

What are brownies? What are crackle top fudge brownies?

Brownies are a dessert bar made with butter, chocolate, sugar, eggs, flour, cocoa powder, vanilla and salt. They are baked in a square or rectangle tray and cut into squares or bars making it perfect for bake sales or picnics. They are travel friendly, indulgent and delicious. Brownies can be cakey, molten or fudgy. This recipe caters to Team Fudge Brownies. The crackle top aka shiny crust comes from the sugar and eggs being beaten until pale and fluffy.

What are cinnamon rolls?

Cinnamon rolls are a sweet pastry made with a buttery brioche like bread dough that is layered with a cinnamon butter, rolled into a log and cut into pieces before baking. Commonly it is frosted with a cream cheese frosting or a simple glaze/icing.

What is the difference between a cinnamon bun and a cinnamon roll?

A cinnamon rolls is thinner than a cinnamon bun. Also, cinnamon rolls are mostly baked individually but cinnamon buns are baked in a way that they are pull apart – this not a fact before you come for me but I have read it in a few blogs. To be honest the ingredients are the same and the filling is the same as well.the method of making the sweet treat doesn’t change.

What ingredients are needed to make brownie batter cinnamon buns?

For the dough we need, all purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, instant yeast, sugar, salt, melted butter, milk. For the filling we need brown butter, brown sugar, cinnamon powder, salt. For the brownie batter we need butter, dark chocolate, brown sugar, caster sugar, oil, egg, vanilla, flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, salt. For the glaze we need melted butter, icing sugar, cocoa powder, salt, hot milk.

What equipment is needed to make brownie batter cinnamon buns?

I have used a large mixing bowl and rubber spatula to make the dough. For the filling we need a bowl and whisk to combine the ingredients and same goes for the frosting. I have made the icing in bowl with a whisk. To make the brownie batter we need a mixing bowl and whisk/electric beater. The buns are baked in a 9×13 baking tray in the oven. I have used a sharp knife to cut the dough but floss is a better idea.

How to make these brownie batter cinnamon rolls?

For the brownie batter –

Preheat 180°C and line an 8×8 inch tin with oil and baking paper. Melt the butter, espresso and chocolate until smooth, either in a microwave with 10-second intervals until melted through or over the stove stirring constantly. Set aside to cool. In a large bowl whisk the eggs and sugars together until thick and pale. It should take around 3-4 minutes of whisking vigorously. Pour the cooled, melted chocolate mixture into the egg mixture and whisk well until combined. Sift the dry ingredients. Switch to a spatula and fold in the dry ingredients, i.e. the flour, cocoa powder, salt and vanilla. Do not over mix the batter at this stage. Place in the fridge and let it chill while we get on with the dough.

For the dough –

In a large bowl combine the warm milk granulated sugar and yeast. Allow to sit until foamy, about 5 minutes. Stir in the vegetable oil, mashed banana until combined. Add 4 cups of flour and stir until combined. The dough will be sticky and that is okay. Cover with a dish towel and set in a warm place for 1 hour. After 1 hour, the mixture should be very puffy and at least doubled in size. Stir in the remaining 1 cup of flour, baking powder and salt until totally combined. It should form a dough.

For the filling –

Mix all the ingredients together until combined and creamy in a mixing bowl with a rubber spatula. Set aside.

Make the rolls –

Preheat the oven to 180℃. Grease a 9×13 baking tray. Turn out dough onto a well floured surface and press it into a rectangular shape. If it is overly sticky, sprinkle generously with additional flour until it’s easier to handle. Flour a rolling pin and roll the dough into a large rectangle about 12 inches by 24 inches. Spread the cinnamon filling over the dough leaving an edge on the longer edge. Slather on the brownie batter and spread it evenly. Add more brownie chunks or dark chocolate chunks. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut the dough into 12 even strips. Roll up each strip into a little cinnamon roll and place in the baking tray, repeat until done. Cover with plastic wrap and allow them to rise for 30 minutes. Bake for 25 minutes or until nice and golden brown on top and around the edges.

For the icing –

While the rolls are baking, making the glaze by combining all the ingredients together until smooth. Ice rolls the second they come out of the oven. Add more brownie pieces on top and allow them to sit for 15 minutes before serving. Delicious!

Serving these brownie batter cinnamon rolls?

They are best served warm with the icing on top. I would suggest serving them with a glass of milk or coffee but honestly they are delicious on its own. You can serve them for breakfast or brunch. Doesn’t mean you cannot serve it for tea or enjoy it as a midnight snack.

Storing the leftover brownie batter cinnamon rolls?

The leftovers can be stored in zip lock bags or in air tight containers in the fridge for 1 week. You could also freeze these buns for up to 2 weeks. When ready to eat let them come to room temperature and then warm in the microwave for 30 seconds minimum or until gooey and delicious.

Looking for more cinnamon roll recipes?

Now that we have covered how to make this No knead brownie batter cinnamon bun recipe, you can have a look at the recipe video on my socials but let’s get to it. Don’t forget to follow along for more fun recipe inspiration.

If you try this recipe out, don’t forget to share it with me on pinterest & instagram so I can see how it turned out. I’d love nothing more than to chat with you on your cooking/baking.