Ingredients
Units
For the dough:
- 3/4 cup whole milk, heated to 110 degrees
- 1 envelope (2 1/4 teaspoons) instant or rapid-rise yeast
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder
- 4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) softened unsalted butter, cut into 12 pieces
For the filling:
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 2 to 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 to 2 tablespoons espresso powder
- 1/2 cup toasted almonds, chopped
- 1/3 to 1/2 semi or bittersweet chocolate, chopped fine (chips are fine)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 5 to 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
For the glaze (totally adaptable):
- 1/4 cup latte (coffee & milk)
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder
- 1 tablespoon corn syrup (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 to 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- tiny pinch of salt
Instructions
- To prep:
- Line the bottom of a 13- by 9-inch baking pan with foil or parchment paper. Grease foil or parchment paper and sides of the pan with baking spray. Also, grease a medium bowl to hold the dough when it’s completed.
- For the dough:
- Whisk warm 110 degree milk and yeast in liquid measuring cup until yeast dissolves, then whisk in eggs, espresso powder, and vanilla extract. In bowl of stand mixer fitted with dough hook, mix flour, cornstarch, sugar, and salt until combined. With mixer on low, add warm milk mixture in steady stream and mix until dough comes together, about 1 minute. Increase speed to medium and add butter, one piece at a time, until incorporated. I added my butter in 5 second intervals. Continue to mix until dough is smooth and comes away from sides of bowl, about 10 minutes. if after mixing for 10 minutes the dough is still wet and sticky, add up to ¼ cup flour (one tablespoon at a time) until the dough releases from the bowl. Turn dough out onto clean surface and knead to form a smooth, round ball. Transfer dough to prepared bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and place in turned off oven with oven light on (it allows enough gentle warmth). Let rise until doubled in size, about 2 hours.
- For the filling:
- Combine brown sugar, cinnamon, espresso, cocoa, and salt in small bowl using a fork or your fingers to break up any large lumps. Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface. Roll dough into 18-inch square, spread with 5 to 6 tbsp of softened butter, and sprinkle evenly with filling. Lightly press the filling into the dough. Sprinkle almonds and chocolate over cinnamon/sugar filling, and gently press into dough. Starting with the edge nearest you, roll dough into tight cylinder, pinch lightly to seal seam, and cut into 8 pieces using either a serrated knife or bench scraper. It’s easier to cut the dough in half, then cut each side in half until you have 8 large rolls. For smaller cinnamon buns, cut the dough into 12 pieces. Transfer pieces, cut-side up, to prepared pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a turned off oven until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- For the glaze and to bake:
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk glaze ingredients together. If mixture is too thick, add a little more latte or heavy cream, if too thin, add more sugar. Discard plastic wrap and bake buns until deep golden brown and filling is melted, 30-35 minutes. Cool for about 5 minutes then pour over some of the glaze. You may not have to use all of the glaze, I didn’t. I stored the rest of the glaze in the freezer for later use. Serve immediately.
- *Make Ahead: After transferring pieces to prepared pan in step 3, buns can be covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated for 24 hours. When ready to bake, let sit at room temperature for 1 hour. Remove plastic wrap and continue with step 4 as directed.
- *Reheat any leftover rolls in the microwave for 10 to 20 seconds.
- Prep Time: 3 hours 30 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
