These Coffee Rolls are a perfect blend of classic cinnamon rolls with a coffee-flavored twist. The soft, fluffy dough is infused with the rich taste of coffee, and the rolls are filled with a coffee-sugar mixture that adds sweetness and spice. Topped with a luscious coffee cream cheese frosting, they’re the perfect indulgent treat for coffee lovers. Whether you enjoy them as a morning breakfast or an afternoon snack, these coffee rolls are sure to satisfy your cravings with every bite.

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

For the Dough

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• ⅓ cup granulated sugar

• 2 teaspoons instant yeast

• ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt

• ½ cup whole milk (slightly warmed)

• 1 tsp instant coffee granules

• 1 large egg (room temperature)

• ½ tsp vanilla extract

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)

• Tangzhong (paste-like slurry of ¼ cup flour and ¾ cup water)

For the Filling

• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)

• ⅔ cup dark brown sugar

• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

• 1 ½ teaspoons instant coffee granules

For the Frosting

• 2 oz cream cheese (softened)

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 4 tablespoons heavy cream

• ¾ teaspoon instant coffee granules

Directions

1. Prepare the Tangzhong:

   • In a small saucepan, whisk together the water and flour. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly until the mixture thickens into a paste-like consistency. Set aside.

2. Make the Dough:

   • In a stand mixer, mix the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. In a separate bowl, warm the milk and dissolve the instant coffee granules in it. Add the milk, egg, vanilla extract, and tangzhong to the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed with the dough hook for 2 minutes until a shaggy dough forms.

3. Add Butter and Knead:

   • Gradually add softened butter, one tablespoon at a time, mixing well after each addition. Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic. Shape it into a ball and let it rise in a buttered bowl, covered with plastic wrap, for 45-60 minutes or until doubled in size.

4. Prepare the Filling:

   • Mix the softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and instant coffee granules to create the filling mixture. Set aside.

5. Roll and Fill:

   • Once the dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface into a 14×18-inch rectangle. Spread the coffee-cinnamon filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 1/4-inch border at the top. Cut the dough into 12 strips, then roll each strip tightly into a spiral.

6. Second Rise:

   • Place the rolled-up dough into a buttered baking dish, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise again for 30-60 minutes, or until doubled in size.

7. Bake:

   • Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Bake the rolls for 20-23 minutes, or until golden brown on top.

8. Prepare the Frosting:

   • Beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and instant coffee granules. Whisk until smooth and creamy.

9. Frost the Rolls:

   • Once the rolls are baked and slightly cooled, spread the coffee cream cheese frosting over the top. Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrients (per serving)

• Calories: 402

• Carbohydrates: 60g

• Protein: 6g

• Fat: 16g

  • Saturated Fat: 10g

• Sodium: 178mg

• Potassium: 122mg

• Fiber: 2g

• Sugar: 28g

• Cholesterol: 55mg

The Coffee-Infused Dough: A Fluffy Base for the Rich Filling

The dough for coffee rolls is the base of the experience, and it is carefully crafted to ensure a light and fluffy texture. The dough is infused with the rich taste of coffee, making it a unique twist on the traditional cinnamon roll dough. The inclusion of instant coffee granules in the milk gives the dough its subtle coffee flavor without overpowering the overall taste. This step ensures that every part of the roll carries the warm, comforting flavor of coffee.

In addition to the coffee flavor, the dough also benefits from the tangzhong technique, a method that involves creating a paste-like mixture of flour and water, which helps retain moisture and makes the dough incredibly soft and tender. The use of whole milk, eggs, and butter in the dough also contributes to its rich texture and taste, ensuring that each roll is soft, fluffy, and melts in your mouth.

The Coffee-Sugar Filling: Sweet and Spicy with a Coffee Kick

The filling for these coffee rolls is where the flavor really comes together. A mixture of butter, dark brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and instant coffee granules creates a perfect balance of sweetness and spice with an added coffee kick. The dark brown sugar adds a deeper flavor than regular sugar, while the cinnamon provides the traditional warmth and spice that makes cinnamon rolls so comforting. The instant coffee granules, when mixed into the sugar and cinnamon, ensure that the coffee flavor is present in every bite, giving the rolls their unique twist.

Once the dough is rolled out into a rectangle, the coffee-sugar mixture is spread evenly across the surface. As the dough is rolled into tight spirals, the filling is trapped inside, ensuring that each roll has a generous amount of the sweet, coffee-flavored filling. This creates a rich, flavorful interior that complements the soft, pillowy dough and the smooth cream cheese frosting that will top the rolls.

The Second Rise: Ensuring Softness and Full Flavor

After the dough is filled and rolled, it undergoes a second rise. This step is crucial for ensuring that the rolls are light, fluffy, and rise to their full potential. The rolls need time to rest and expand, giving them their characteristic airy texture. Allowing them to rise a second time also ensures that the flavors have time to meld together, making the filling even more flavorful and aromatic.

The second rise should be done in a warm environment, which helps activate the yeast in the dough. It is important to be patient during this step to ensure that the rolls achieve the perfect texture. Once the rolls have doubled in size, they are ready to be baked, transforming into golden, fluffy, coffee-scented spirals that are simply irresistible.

Baking the Rolls: Golden Brown Perfection

Baking the coffee rolls is the final step in creating the perfect treat. The rolls should be baked in a preheated oven at 325°F (163°C) for 20-23 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top. The baking process allows the dough to rise further, resulting in soft, fluffy rolls with a slightly crisp exterior. The coffee-sugar filling melts and becomes gooey, infusing the rolls with rich, comforting flavor.

It’s important to keep an eye on the rolls while they bake to ensure that they don’t overcook or burn. Once they are golden brown and have a delicious aroma, they are ready to be removed from the oven. Let the rolls cool slightly before frosting them, so the frosting doesn’t melt too quickly.

The Coffee Cream Cheese Frosting: A Perfectly Sweet and Creamy Topping

No coffee roll is complete without a generous layer of frosting, and for these rolls, the coffee cream cheese frosting takes them to the next level. The frosting is a blend of softened cream cheese, unsalted butter, powdered sugar, and heavy cream, with a touch of instant coffee granules mixed in for an extra coffee kick. The result is a smooth, creamy frosting that has the perfect balance of sweetness and coffee flavor.

The cream cheese adds richness and a slight tang to the frosting, which complements the sweetness of the powdered sugar and the deep flavor of the coffee. This frosting is spread over the slightly cooled rolls, creating a velvety, indulgent topping that completes the coffee roll experience. The frosting not only enhances the flavor but also adds a visually appealing creamy layer on top of the golden rolls.

The Appeal of Coffee Rolls: A Treat for Any Time of Day

These coffee rolls are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed at any time of day. They make the perfect breakfast treat when paired with a cup of your favorite coffee or tea. The rich coffee flavor in both the dough and frosting enhances the coffee experience, making them the ideal morning indulgence for coffee lovers.

These rolls also serve as an excellent afternoon snack or dessert. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply looking for a cozy treat to enjoy with friends, coffee rolls are sure to be a hit. The combination of fluffy dough, sweet coffee filling, and creamy frosting makes them an irresistible choice for any occasion.

Customizing Your Coffee Rolls

One of the best aspects of coffee rolls is their versatility. While the recipe as written is already indulgent and delicious, there are plenty of ways to customize it to suit your preferences. If you prefer a stronger coffee flavor, you can increase the amount of instant coffee granules in both the dough and the filling. For a more decadent experience, consider adding a layer of chocolate chips or chopped nuts to the filling for added texture and flavor.

For those who enjoy a lighter version of these rolls, you could experiment with substituting some of the butter or cream cheese in the frosting with a lower-fat option or even a dairy-free alternative. The dough itself can also be made with whole wheat flour for a slightly healthier option without sacrificing taste.

Conclusion

Coffee rolls with a coffee-flavored twist are the ultimate indulgence for coffee lovers, blending the soft, fluffy texture of traditional cinnamon rolls with the rich, comforting taste of coffee. The dough is infused with coffee, and the filling is made with dark brown sugar, cinnamon, and instant coffee, creating a flavorful interior. Topped with a creamy, coffee-infused cream cheese frosting, these rolls are a perfect treat for any time of day.

Whether you enjoy them as a breakfast delight, an afternoon snack, or a decadent dessert, these coffee rolls are sure to satisfy your cravings. With the ability to customize the recipe to suit your preferences, these rolls can be made even more indulgent or tailored to fit dietary needs. The combination of textures and flavors in each bite makes these coffee rolls a memorable treat that will surely become a favorite in your kitchen.