March 13, 2015

Nutella-hazelnut cinnamon rolls

My newly acquired addiction to homemade cinnamon rolls continues.  A year ago, I discovered that small-batch cinnamon roll recipe and I've been hooked on making cinnamon rolls ever since!  After that first sweet combination of chocolate and orange, I went on to make that crazy-delicious almond version and now, I made rolls with a Nutella and hazelnut filling.
This was inevitable.  I've been thinking about possibilities as far as fillings for this deliciously soft and squishy cinnamon roll dough ever since I first made and tasted it, and Nutella would always pop into my head.  It's just too easy and tasty.  Now it's done and I can be so happy that I made them.  Seriously, what a treat!

I think if you love Nutella like we do, I need not explain why these rolls were so good. But I have to give props to the cinnamon roll dough itself, a small-batch recipe for 4 rolls that I adapted from Oh, LadyCakes (who I can't thank enough for this, no matter the impact on our waistlines).  It makes for such wonderfully soft and tender rolls that are like warm edible pillows encasing whatever sweet fillings you tuck inside! I feel like I have an ideal canvas to play with.
My fillings for the small-batch of 4 rolls: chopped toasted hazelnuts, cinnamon, and Nutella
In this case, it was Nutella and chopped hazelnuts, along with a dusting of cinnamon. It couldn't be easier.  I'm crazy for nuts and a little texture in my desserts so I added toasted hazelnuts to give the rolls a contrasting texture as well as a nutty flavor.  The cinnamon brings a hint of spice in the background.  All in all, this filling couldn't be simpler and it's honestly getting altogether too easy to make cinnamon rolls to enjoy warm and fresh on a weekend morning!
Given how delicious these are, we are more than happy to indulge.  After a long week, this is the treat to start the weekend morning off right.



Is it possible that I considered myself someone who didn't like cinnamon rolls a year ago?!  Finding this cinnamon roll recipe and learning to make them at home has changed everything.  Though I still have no craving for them outside of the house, the urge to make and enjoy them at home is always lurking!  And when I can customize them to the flavors I love, all bets are off and I have a feeling other versions are yet to come...
So this recipe makes 4 rolls.  I slathered the 5x10 inch rectangle of dough with 1/4 cup of Nutella chocolate-hazelnut spread.  I've been eating this stuff forever and I always have some, along with peanut butter, in the kitchen.  I find that warming the Nutella for just about 10 seconds loosens it perfectly to spread easily.
Next, dust some ground cinnamon on top.  It feels mandatory to add some cinnamon into your "cinnamon rolls".  I like the cinnamon in moderation so I use about 1/4 teaspoon, maybe a little less.  You can stop there but I really wanted to add some texture and increase the nutty flavor by incorporating some toasted, chopped hazelnuts.  
This is how the rolls look (above) before their second rise.  I make the rolls the night before and store it in the fridge.  I'm the early riser in the family so I take them out of the refrigerator in the morning and let it rise again in a warm spot for about an hour or so.  Then, it only takes about 12 minutes to bake.  They don't brown very much after baking (below) but will have expanded and puffed up nicely.
I didn't feel the need for a glaze.  You've got plenty of flavor in the delightfully soft dough with Nutella and hazelnuts in every bite.  You must enjoy them warm and I love a cup of coffee on the side.  It's just crazy good!  There's really nothing else to say...


Recipe:

Nutella-Hazelnut Cinnamon Rolls (small-batch)
Recipe for dough adapted from Oh, LadyCakes

- A small batch-recipe for 4 cinnamon rolls - 

For dough:
1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water, between 105-108 degrees Fahrenheit
1 tablespoon butter, melted (and warm)
2 tablespoons milk, slightly warm
4 teaspoon sugar
Scant 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 cup all-purpose flour

For filling:
1/4 cup Nutella
Scant 1/4 cup toasted hazelnuts, finely chopped
Ground cinnamon, to taste (I used about 1/4 teaspoon)

Lightly oil a medium size mixing bowl and butter a 6-inch cake pan; set aside.

In a small bowl or measuring cup, lightly stir yeast into the warm water.  Add a pinch of sugar, cover, and set aside until foamy, about 10-15 minutes.  If the mixture does not foam after that time, you will need to start over.

In another small bowl, stir the warm melted butter together with the sugar until sugar dissolves, about 1 minute.  Mix in milk and set aside.  

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.  Make a well in the center and add both the yeast and butter mixtures.  Stir with a wood spoon until dough comes together, then remove from the bowl and knead with your hands for 4-5 minutes. Transfer the kneaded dough to the prepared mixing bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and place in a warm spot until doubled, about 45 minutes (or more).

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll or pat/press the dough into a 5x10 inch rectangle (I rolled the soft, pliable dough out between parchment paper and plastic wrap).  Spread the Nutella evenly over the dough, leaving about 1/4 to 1/2-inch border along the sides. (If necessary, place Nutella in a dish and heat for 10 seconds in the microwave to loosen it up for easy spreading.)  Sprinkle cinnamon on top of the Nutella, followed by the hazelnuts.

Starting at the short end, tightly roll the dough, trim off the ends, and slice into 4 even pieces.  Place rolls into the prepared cake pan and place in a warm spot to rise again until doubled in size, about 30-60 minutes (60 minutes being optimal).  [Do ahead: Once the rolls have been sliced and placed in the pan, cover and refrigerate overnight.  In the morning, remove the pan from the refrigerator, set it in a warm place to rise again - this may take a bit more than an hour - and bake.]  Bake in a 375 degree oven for 12-14 minutes.  The rolls will still look fairly pale after baking.   

Let rolls cool slightly for about 5-10 minutes in the pan, then serve and enjoy while they are still warm.



45 comments:

  1. Once I finished the pan I would be kicking myself for not doubling it! The dough really does look soft and tender and the filling is brilliant. LOVE Nutella - spoon by spoon I can hurt myself on that stuff! I can even smell these rolls and now my stomach is growling. How I love to bake and eat chocolate so this would be heavenly! Enjoy a warmer weekend - happy baking!!!

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    1. haha! The dough is so good, just squishy soft and tender as you said...we are hooked on these babies! And Nutella and I go way back. It's one of the best concoctions ever. You have a wonderful weekend, Tricia.

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  2. My comments are not going through.. will try that again. Did you really only make 4 rolls? My goodness I would need to quadruple that recipe in my household. It is not like you could keep it secret as I am sure with the lovely aroma coming from the kitchen your family will be coming out of the wood work to give it a try. Sharing, of course!

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    1. Thanks for trying again. And yes, these 4 rolls do the trick for breakfast and leave us waiting for the next time. ; ) There's just my husband and I, plus our 9 year old. Maybe when he hits the teenage years (did I just say that!), I'll need to double, triple the batch.

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  3. Cinnamon rolls and Nutella in one recipe?! My brain just exploded. A small batch seems necessary for portion control. :)

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    1. So easy and so good, Natasha. And no guilt with a small batch, right? No guilt, period!

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  4. Nutella, hazelnut stuffed cinnamon rolls sound amazing! I love how soft the dough is and the small batch is perfect since I have no self control when it comes to cinnamon rolls and could finish off the entire pan! I would love to wake up to these pretty rolls this weekend especially after a long week! Happy Friday Monica!

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    1. There are some things that's really hard to control myself over...ice cream with hot fudge, for instance. : ) These cinnamon rolls have become a little obsession of mine...I start thinking about them and need to make some! The make-ahead the night before works really well, too. Enjoy the weekend, Kelly!

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  5. These cinnamon rolls look heavenly with the nutella and extra hazelnuts!

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    1. Thanks...chocolate hazelnut fiends like myself love it. : )

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  6. Nutella and hazelnut cinnamon rolls??? Want to come make me some for breakfast tomorrow?? :) I love this small batch recipe - whenever I make cinnamon rolls we wind up with wayyy too many!

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    1. haha - this dough recipe is one of my favorite recent discoveries. So lucky it's a small-batch!

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  7. The main reason I stopped making cinnamon rolls is that I have NO willpower at all and will eat them until they are GONE! I love love love that this is a small batch recipe. Now why didn't I think of that? (Maybe my subconscious was preventing me.) Making and eating (and maybe sharing) four rolls would carry a much smaller amount of guilt than consuming a dozen. Must put this theory to the test! :)

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    1. I didn't use to crave cinnamon rolls at all, Betty...and there was no way I could make a typical batch for my small family. Then came this recipe and I just love it...so much fun to play with the filling. Hope you test out your theory soon! ; )

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  8. What a fabulous breakfast to wake up! These look wonderful Monica and the Nutella and hazelnut is not only a great flavour, but texture combination too. Sweet doughs, I have decided, are my absolute favourite bake.

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    1. Hi Jo!! How are you?! It's so nice to hear from you. I'm sure you have been busy (and hopefully happy) in the kitchen and elsewhere. : )
      The Nutella is just too easy - and too delicious - not to use for a filling. I just loved these! Take care now and hope to see a post from you real soon!! xo

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  9. I am crazy for anything with Nutella! I can't wait to try this! Best of all, it's a small batch so I won't feel as guilty if I finish the whole thing in one sitting! :P

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    1. Same here as for the Nutella. I never go without it!

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  10. As there are just two of us I love the idea of making smaller portions or batches of items!:D

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    1. Totally - and it gives me more chances to make/bake fresh and have a little fun. : )

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  11. I love nutella so bad! These cinnamon rolls are to die for!

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    1. Nutella is amazing...I can't bring myself to even try making my own because of my devotion to it. :)

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  12. You are the queen of small batch Heavenly sweet recipes:-) These look too delicious for words..nutella...hazelnut...cinnamon...how can one not fall in love with them!

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    1. haha - don't know about that but I am a huge fan of the small batch for sure. These little buns are addicting...I am craving them way too often, Sonali!

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  13. These sound AMAZING! I cant wait to try them!

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  14. Hi Monica, Oh my family would love this, we are all big nutella fans, in fact I have to buy ours at Costco. Great recipe.....you are such a great baker.

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    1. You are too kind, Cheri. I'm starting to move from buying the small containers to the larger ones, too! I might need to have my sister in law help me get the big ones from Costco, too! : )

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  15. Wow the cinnamon rolls look so soft that too with my top fav combo - nutella and hazelnuts... Its nearly impossible to resist..

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    1. I love Ferrero Rochers! : ) Not only is the Nutella so tasty but it is such an easy filling to just spread on! Easy peasy.

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  16. Love this small batch recipe. Most cinnamon roll recipes make way too many. I can only imagine how good cinnamon rolls with Nutella taste! :)

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    1. I can see the benefit of making a lot if you go to the effort but for us, it's perfect. Hope you have a great week, Christin!

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  17. You really outdid here Monica. Omg, they look perfect. I enjoy Ladycakes recipes too. The nuts and the nutella and out of the world delicious sounding. I could not stop eating these, looks so addictive. Haven't baked cinnamon roll in while. I need to make them asap and a lot of them, we are big eaters here.
    Have a fantastic day my dear.

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    1. I'm so happy I stumbled on her site and recipe when I was thinking about cinnamon rolls about a year ago. : ) I can't not love Nutella and since we put it on toast all the time, why not cinnamon rolls, right! Hope all is well!

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  18. These rolls look so good...especially that you add hazelnuts...like the creamy and crunchy filling...awesome!
    Have a great week ahead :)

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    1. I love some extra texture (particularly in the form of nuts in my food), too! Thanks, Juliana.

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  19. Wellll I suppose there's only so much damage you can do with four rolls...though I would probably save them all for myself! Nutella is my favorite!!

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    1. I'm never w/o peanut butter and Nutella, Joanne. Hope you're having a good week!

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  20. Nutella cinnamon rolls? YES! The melting nutella must be heavenly. I would love to wake up to these amazing warm chocolatey rolls in the morning. Nicely done, Monica! ;)

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    1. Thanks, my friend! This is one of those sweet things I could totally dig into for breakfast. : )

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  21. OMG wow, this is the cinnamon roll flavor that speaks to my heart (and stomach). Saving this recipe for later (:

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    1. I sure loved it but come on, we're talking Nutella! ; )

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  22. I like one of the other reviews had a time with keeping them together while cutting them, but this recipe was so EASY and taste GREAT. This is definitely a keeper.




    Ash@Simplement D Liche

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