Easy Nutella Cinnamon Rolls: Your Quick Path to Chocolatey Bliss in Under an Hour

Say goodbye to long rising times and hello to warm, gooey, chocolate-filled cinnamon rolls that are ready in less than 60 minutes!

Life moves fast, doesn’t it? One moment you’re planning a relaxing weekend, and the next, you’re caught up in a whirlwind of errands, appointments, and unexpected events. Just yesterday, my car decided to stage a protest, leaving me stranded and scrambling to rearrange my day. And after sharing our recent “Bake It Forward” video, I’ve even connected with a local organization to host a community event – which, while wonderful, adds to the busy schedule! In times like these, the idea of a leisurely, over-the-top breakfast feels like a distant dream. But what if I told you that a truly decadent breakfast, one that involves warm, fluffy, chocolate-filled cinnamon rolls, could be yours in under an hour?

Indulge Your Cravings: Why Quick Cinnamon Rolls Are a Game Changer

For me, a perfect lazy weekend morning often involves a substantial, carb-loaded breakfast. Forget the traditional eggs and bacon; I’m talking pancakes, waffles, French toast, or, my absolute favorite, classic cinnamon rolls. The more carbs and sugar, the better, in my humble opinion! And when you can introduce the magical element of chocolate, especially in the form of creamy, hazelnut Nutella, into the mix? Well, that’s just pure breakfast heaven. These aren’t just any cinnamon rolls; they’re Nutella cinnamon rolls – a truly irresistible treat.

There’s something uniquely comforting about a warm cinnamon roll. That soft, ooey-gooey center, the swirl of cinnamon sugar, and the sweet, velvety frosting on top… what’s not to adore? But let’s be honest, traditional yeast dough cinnamon rolls, while glorious, require time, patience, and often, an early start. For those of us who wake up hungry and don’t want to wait hours for our breakfast fix, this quick Nutella cinnamon roll recipe is a revelation. I decided to elevate the classic by adding a generous layer of Nutella and a scattering of mini chocolate chips. Because, really, chocolate for breakfast should be a universally accepted and celebrated concept!

This recipe is designed for speed and simplicity without compromising on flavor or texture. We’re talking light, fluffy cinnamon rolls, brimming with a chocolatey hazelnut filling, baked to golden perfection, and generously drizzled with a sweet glaze – all ready from scratch in less than 60 minutes. Yes, you read that right: under an hour! It’s the perfect solution for busy mornings, unexpected guests, or simply when a serious craving strikes and you need instant gratification.

Crafting Your Quick Nutella Cinnamon Rolls: The Recipe

Nutella cinnamon rolls on a plate, topped with a luscious white icing.

Easy Nutella Cinnamon Rolls

By Erin Sellin

Easy Nutella Cinnamon Rolls – Cinnamon rolls that are ready in less than 60 minutes and filled with chocolate-y Nutella.

Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 25 mins
Total: 45 mins
Servings: 8

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Ingredients

Filling

3/4 cup Nutella
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/3 cup mini chocolate chips

Dough

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 Tablespoons sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
6 Tablespoons butter, melted and cooled (divided: 4 Tbls for dough, 2 Tbls for brushing)

Icing

2 Tablespoons butter, softened
2 Tablespoons milk
1 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Lightly spray a 9-inch pie plate or a similar round baking dish with non-stick spray and set it aside.
Mix the Dry Dough Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. This ensures an even distribution of leavening agents.
Combine Wet Dough Ingredients: In a liquid measuring cup or a separate small bowl, combine the buttermilk and 4 tablespoons of the melted and cooled butter. Gently whisk them together.
Form the Dough: Pour the buttermilk mixture into the dry flour mixture. Using a wooden spoon or a sturdy spatula, stir until just combined. The dough will appear quite shaggy and rough at this stage, and that’s perfectly normal.
Knead and Roll: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead it very gently and briefly, just until it comes together into a smooth ball. Remember, minimal handling is key here to achieve flaky, tender rolls. Using your hands or a rolling pin, press or roll the dough into a 12×9-inch rectangle.
Add the Irresistible Filling: Spread the Nutella evenly over the entire surface of the dough rectangle, leaving about a 1/2-inch border clean around the edges. Generously sprinkle the cinnamon and mini chocolate chips over the Nutella layer.
Roll and Cut: Starting from one of the long sides, carefully roll the dough into a tight cylinder. Pinch the seam gently to seal it. Using a sharp knife or a piece of unflavored dental floss, cut the cylinder into 8 equal pieces. To help keep the filling from oozing out, slightly flatten each piece of dough before placing it in the pan.
Arrange and Bake: Place one roll in the center of your prepared pie plate, then arrange the remaining 7 rolls around it. Brush the tops of the rolls with the remaining 2 tablespoons of melted butter.
Bake to Golden Perfection: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are beautifully golden brown and the rolls are puffed up and cooked through.
Prepare the Icing: While the rolls are baking or resting, prepare your decadent icing. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, milk, and powdered sugar. Whisk thoroughly until smooth and creamy. If you prefer a thinner or thicker icing, adjust the milk or powdered sugar levels accordingly.
Frost and Serve: Allow the baked cinnamon rolls to rest in the pan for about 5 minutes after removing them from the oven. This allows them to set slightly. Drizzle the freshly made icing generously over the warm cinnamon rolls.
Enjoy Immediately: Serve warm directly from the pan, or transfer them to a serving platter. These are best enjoyed fresh!

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author: Erin Sellin

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Course: Breakfast Recipes

Cuisine: American

Servings: 8

Calories: 522

Tips for Perfecting Your Nutella Cinnamon Rolls

Don’t Overmix the Dough: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, stir just until they come together. Overmixing develops gluten too much, which can result in tough rolls instead of tender, flaky ones.
Handle Gently: Similarly, when kneading the dough, handle it as little as possible. These are quick rolls, not traditional yeast rolls that benefit from extensive kneading.
Mind the Butter Temperature: Ensure your melted butter for the dough is cooled before adding it to the buttermilk. Hot butter can start to cook the flour or affect the leavening agents. For the icing, softened butter whips up beautifully.
Evenly Spread Nutella: A thin, even layer of Nutella ensures every bite gets that chocolatey hazelnut flavor without making the rolls too dense or messy. Leaving a small border helps seal the roll.
Sharp Knife for Cutting: A sharp knife will give you clean cuts, helping the rolls maintain their shape. Dental floss can also work wonders for a perfect cut!
Adjust Icing Consistency: Feel free to adjust the amount of milk or powdered sugar in the icing to achieve your preferred consistency. Add milk a teaspoon at a time for a thinner glaze, or more powdered sugar for a thicker, more spreadable frosting.
Serve Warm: These Nutella cinnamon rolls are truly at their best when served warm, straight from the oven, with the icing slightly melted into the swirls.

Variations to Try

While these Nutella Cinnamon Rolls are perfect as they are, don’t hesitate to get creative with variations:

Double Chocolate Dream: Add a tablespoon of cocoa powder to your dough for a richer chocolate base.
Nutty Delight: Sprinkle some finely chopped hazelnuts or pecans along with the chocolate chips in the filling for added crunch and flavor that complements the Nutella beautifully.
Cream Cheese Frosting: If you’re a fan of classic cinnamon roll frosting, you can easily swap the simple glaze for a luscious cream cheese frosting. Combine 4 oz softened cream cheese, 2 tablespoons softened butter, 1 cup powdered sugar, and 1-2 tablespoons milk/vanilla extract.
Spice It Up: Enhance the cinnamon with a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom in the filling for a more complex spice profile.
Fruit & Chocolate: Mix in a few finely diced dried cranberries or cherries with your chocolate chips for a fruity twist.

Storage and Reheating

These easy Nutella cinnamon rolls are best enjoyed fresh, but if you happen to have leftovers (a rare occurrence!), you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. To reheat, simply pop them in the microwave for 15-30 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5-10 minutes until warmed through and gooey again.

Final Thoughts: Why These Rolls Will Become Your New Favorite

There’s no need to reserve delightful treats for special occasions or painstakingly long baking sessions. These Easy Nutella Cinnamon Rolls prove that you can have homemade, utterly delicious, and incredibly satisfying baked goods even on your busiest days. The combination of warm, tender dough, rich Nutella, and sweet icing creates an experience that’s pure comfort in every bite. They’re perfect for a quick family breakfast, a brunch with friends, or simply as a well-deserved treat for yourself. So, go ahead, treat yourself to a moment of chocolatey bliss!

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