Cast Iron Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
This Cast Iron Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is one of the best easy breakfast recipes for busy mornings. They’re gooey, chocolatey, and oh-so-satisfying! The cast iron skillet creates perfectly baked rolls with crispy edges and soft centers.
These rolls are a hit for lazy weekend mornings. They’re also great at making a regular Tuesday feel special. Your family will beg for them again and again!

Topped with a creamy caramel glaze, golden-brown swirls of cinnamon-scented dough will make your taste buds drool. It’s a breakfast that feels like dessert!
Cast Iron Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Making these rolls is easier than you think. The dough comes together quickly in a stand mixer. While it rises, you whip up a chocolatey filling that adds a layer of decadence.
Rolling and slicing the dough is fun! Your kids will love to help you with this part. Once the rolls are nestled in the cast iron pan, they get a second rise. Then, the rolls puff up and are ready for the oven.
A splash of cream before baking is the secret to super soft rolls. Your kitchen will smell amazing as they bake. It’s hard to wait, but it’s worth it when you finally dig in!

Why use cast iron for cinnamon rolls?
Cast iron is great for cinnamon rolls for a few reasons. First, it heats evenly, so your rolls bake perfectly from edge to center. The pan also holds heat well and keeps the rolls warm at the table.
Cast iron gives you crispy edges that contrast nicely with the gooey centers. It looks great for serving, too! You can take the whole pan from the oven to the table. Plus, it’s a bonus point for making cleaning up a breeze.
Specialty Ingredients:
The following ingredients are affiliate links on Amazon because they may be a bit hard to find in your normal store. I wanted you to be able to see exactly which things we are using.
Reminder, not all ingredients in the Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe are linked above, just the ones that may be a bit difficult to find or that you might be unsure of what to look for
Must Have Resources:
When making Cast Iron Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls at home, you really need to have the following Amazon affiliate tools on hand.
Make it a Meal:
Juggling school and busy weeks can leave little time for meal planning. That’s why I’ve created this easy school week meal plan to take the guesswork out of your day!
Main Dish: Pulled Pork BBQ Nachos Recipe
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Vegetable Side: Asparagus on George Foreman Grill
Starch Side: Oven Steak Fries
Refreshing Drink: Alcohol-Free Mint Grapefruit Mimosa

Best Breakfast Bread Recipes:
These cast iron cinnamon rolls might start a breakfast bread obsession in your family. But don’t worry—there are more morning delights they’ll love!
Here are some of my favorite picks!
Whip up a loaf of Snickerdoodle Banana Bread for a cinnamon-y twist on a classic!
Get the kids involved in making our Simple Berry Delicious Monkey Bread!
This Maple Nut Bread brings fall flavors to your breakfast table any time of year!
Prep this Blueberry Breakfast Bread Pudding the night before for an effortless morning treat!
Stock your freezer with the Classic Freezer French Toast for busy mornings!
Impress weekend guests with this pretty Apple Cinnamon White Cake!
And for a fun baking project, try the Super Delicious Unicorn Bread Loaf Recipe!

Can I make these cinnamon rolls ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare these rolls the night before. Make the rolls to the point where you put them in the pan. Instead of letting them rise a second time, cover the pan and pop it in the fridge.
In the morning, take the pan out while the oven preheats. Let the rolls sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, then bake as directed.
You’ll have fresh, warm cinnamon rolls without the early morning prep!
Shop My Printables
These printables are great for meal planning and organizing! Simply click the image to check out my shop products!



More Cinnamon Recipes:
- Gourmet Cinnamon Popcorn Recipe
- Pecan Pie Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
- Cinnamon Sugared Donut Holes Recipe
- Crockpot Cinnamon Roll Casserole Recipe

Cast Iron Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Don't miss this Cast Iron Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls Recipe! The flavor is crazy good - it's the perfect way to kick off the weekend!
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients:
- 1 cup warm milk
- 2 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup of softened unsalted butter
- ½ cup white granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups all purpose flour (extra ½ cup if needed)
Filling Ingredients:
- ½ cup of softened unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup heavy cream
Frosting Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup of softened butter
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- ⅓ cup caramel sauce
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Add the warm milk and yeast to a bowl and stir. Let it sit for a few minutes to activate.
- Once it poofs a bit, add the butter, eggs, and white sugar. Beat the ingredients until combined.
- Add the 4 cups of flour and salt. Beat until the dry ingredients are JUST mixed, then stop.
- Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes.
- Attach the dough hook and knead for 5-7 minutes until it is tacky. If you find the dough too sticky, add the extra flour, but do so 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough is how you want it.
- Place a clean damp towel over the dough and let it rise for 30 minutes at room temperature.
- As the dough is rising, make the filling. Add the cubed softened butter, sugar, and cocoa powder to a bowl and blend with a fork.
- Add the vanilla until combined.
- Place the dough and a clean floured surface and fold into a large rectangle. It should be about 1/2-inch thick and 9 X 13 inches in size.
- Spread the filling over the dough evenly and make sure it's covered with it.
- Roll the dough lengthwise to make a log shape.
- Use a sharp knife and cut into 10-12 pieces. Each roll should be about 2 inches tall.
- Place the cut rolls into the pan, and leave a small space around if possible.
- Cover the rolls and let them rise for 20 minutes to double in size.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- After 20 minutes, pour the heavy cream on top of the rolls.
- Bake in the oven for 24 minutes or until puffed and golden brown.
- As they are baking, make the icing.
- Add the cream cheese and butter to a bowl and whip with a hand mixer until it is smooth.
- Pour in the caramel sauce and vanilla and blend.
- Lastly, add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, mixing between each one.
- If it is too thick, add 1 tablespoon of milk to thin it out.
- Drizzle the glaze on top of the baked rolls. Serve!
Notes
The milk needs to be warm - not hot.
Don't let the dough rise for too long or it will cause the rolls to be too airy.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 605Total Fat: 27gSaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 102mgSodium: 308mgCarbohydrates: 83gFiber: 2gSugar: 48gProtein: 8g
This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix on 8/2/2024
What’s your favorite way to serve these chocolate cinnamon rolls? Breakfast or dessert?