Irresistibly Soft Nutella Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze

Prepare to fall in love with these Nutella Cinnamon Rolls. They feature an exceptionally soft and tender dough, a luscious Nutella and cinnamon filling, and are finished with a delightful cream cheese glaze. This recipe offers a fantastic twist on traditional cinnamon rolls, elevating your breakfast or dessert experience to new heights.

A single Nutella Cinnamon Roll on a small white plate, showcasing its soft texture and generous glaze.

There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls filling your home. But imagine enhancing that classic comfort with the irresistible flavor of Nutella. These Nutella Cinnamon Rolls are not just another recipe; they are a culinary revelation designed to bring joy with every bite. The secret to their incredible tenderness lies in a unique ingredient: mashed potato, which keeps the dough incredibly moist and airy. Paired with a generous swirl of chocolate-hazelnut goodness and a tangy cream cheese glaze, these rolls are destined to become a new family favorite.

The Perfect Harmony: Three Essential Components

Crafting these extraordinary cinnamon rolls involves three perfectly balanced components, each contributing to their exceptional taste and texture:

The Uniquely Tender Yeast Dough: This isn’t just any yeast dough. Our recipe incorporates 1 cup of creamy mashed potato. This addition is a game-changer, infusing the dough with unparalleled moisture and contributing to a light, airy, and wonderfully soft crumb. The mashed potato helps to keep the rolls fresh longer and prevents them from drying out, ensuring every bite is as delightful as the first. A note on the mashed potatoes: ensure they are plain, without added milk, butter, or seasonings for the best results. (For quick mashed potato preparation tips, see our ‘Recipe Notes’ section below.)
The Decadent Nutella and Cinnamon Filling: This filling is where the magic truly happens. It’s a simple yet incredibly potent combination of smooth Nutella, a hint of ground cinnamon, and melted butter. We intentionally use a lighter touch with the cinnamon compared to traditional recipes, allowing the rich, creamy, and distinct hazelnut-chocolate flavor of Nutella to take center stage. The melted butter helps the filling spread easily and ensures it melds beautifully with the dough as it bakes. This creates a swirl of gooey, chocolatey perfection in every roll.
The Classic Cream Cheese Glaze: No cinnamon roll is complete without a luscious glaze, and a classic cream cheese glaze is the ideal partner for these Nutella-filled treats. This sweet and tangy topping provides a beautiful contrast to the richness of the Nutella, cutting through the sweetness with a pleasant, subtle tartness. It’s incredibly easy to whip up and adds that quintessential finish, making these rolls utterly irresistible.

Freshly baked Nutella Cinnamon Rolls arranged neatly in a 9x13 inch baking dish, ready to be glazed.

Mastering the Rise: Two Crucial Proofs

Achieving perfectly soft and fluffy cinnamon rolls relies heavily on proper dough rising, also known as proofing. This recipe requires two distinct rise times, each serving a vital purpose in developing the dough’s texture and flavor:

First Rise (Bulk Fermentation): After kneading, the dough needs to undergo its initial rise until it has doubled in size. This process typically takes approximately 1 hour if your kitchen is comfortably warm. Yeast thrives in warm environments, allowing it to activate and produce the carbon dioxide bubbles that give the dough its light structure. If your home is on the cooler side, don’t despair! A simple trick is to turn your oven on its lowest setting for just a minute or two (not long enough to get hot, just warm), then turn it off. Place the bowl containing your dough (covered with a clean kitchen towel) inside the slightly warmed oven with the door cracked open. This creates an ideal environment for your dough to rise beautifully. This first rise is crucial for developing the gluten structure and flavor of the dough.

Second Rise (Proofing after Shaping): Once your rolls are shaped and placed in the baking dish, they require a second, shorter rise. This typically takes about 30 minutes. This final proof allows the rolls to puff up once more before baking, ensuring they are wonderfully soft and tender. Do not skip this step, as it prevents dense, heavy rolls. You’ll know they’re ready when they look noticeably plumper and feel airy to the touch, but not so airy that they might collapse.

Essential Equipment for Baking Success

To embark on your Nutella cinnamon roll journey, you’ll need a few key pieces of kitchen equipment to ensure a smooth and enjoyable baking process:

First and foremost, a stand mixer with a paddle attachment is highly recommended. While it’s possible to knead dough by hand, a stand mixer significantly simplifies the process, ensuring consistent kneading and proper gluten development without the effort. If you don’t have a stand mixer, you can knead the dough by hand on a lightly floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic.

You’ll also need a rolling pin to evenly flatten your dough into the required rectangle before spreading the filling. An even thickness ensures consistent baking of your rolls.

Finally, a standard 9×13-inch baking dish is essential for baking these rolls. This size allows the 12 rolls to fit snugly, which helps them rise upwards and maintain their round shape during baking. You can use a glass or ceramic dish; just make sure to grease it well to prevent sticking.

A single Nutella Cinnamon Roll on a small plate, with its rich, swirled filling and generous cream cheese glaze.

Expert Recipe Tips for Perfect Rolls

Achieving bakery-quality Nutella cinnamon rolls at home is entirely possible with a few expert tips and careful attention to detail:

Yeast Temperature is Key: When combining the mashed potato mixture with the yeast, it is absolutely critical that the mixture does not exceed 120 degrees F (49 degrees C). Temperatures higher than this will kill the yeast, rendering it inactive, and your dough will not rise. If your mixture accidentally gets too hot, simply let it cool down to the ideal 110-120 degrees F range before adding it to your mixing bowl with the yeast. A kitchen thermometer is invaluable for this step.
Precision Cutting: For perfectly shaped, uniform cinnamon rolls, the way you cut the dough matters. Avoid using a dull knife, which can smash the delicate layers of the dough, resulting in misshapen rolls. Instead, opt for a very sharp knife to make clean cuts. An even better trick, favored by many bakers, is to use unflavored dental floss. Simply slide a piece of floss under the rolled dough, cross the ends over the top, and pull them tightly to slice through the dough cleanly. This method creates beautiful, distinct swirls.
Don’t Overbake: Overbaking is the enemy of soft cinnamon rolls. Keep a close eye on your rolls during the last few minutes of baking. They should be golden brown on top and feel set to the touch. If they’re too dark, they might be dry. You can also use a thermometer to check the internal temperature; perfectly baked cinnamon rolls typically reach around 190-200 degrees F (88-93 degrees C).
Lump-Free Mashed Potato: Ensure your mashed potato is smooth and free of lumps. Any chunks can affect the dough’s texture and make it harder to knead evenly. Mashing well or even passing it through a potato ricer can ensure a super smooth consistency.
Room Temperature Ingredients (for Glaze): For the smoothest cream cheese glaze, make sure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature. This will prevent lumps and ensure it blends seamlessly with the powdered sugar and milk.
Storage and Reheating: Store leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. To reheat, microwave individual rolls for 15-30 seconds until warm and soft, or warm them in a preheated oven at 275°F (135°C) for about 10 minutes.

A fork gently cutting into a warm, soft Nutella Cinnamon Roll, revealing its gooey center and tender layers.

Explore More Cinnamon Roll Recipes

If you love the versatility and comfort of cinnamon rolls, be sure to check out some of these other fantastic recipes:

Bisquick Cinnamon Rolls
Buttermilk Biscuit Cinnamon Rolls
Bourbon Pecan Cinnamon Rolls
Sausage Cinnamon Rolls
Giant Cinnamon Roll

Nutella Cinnamon Rolls

5 out of 5 stars (based on 1 vote)

Prep: 20 mins

Cook: 25 mins

Servings: 12

These Nutella Cinnamon Rolls feature a rich Nutella and cinnamon filling and a creamy, tangy cream cheese glaze. They are wonderfully soft and tender, offering a delightful twist on a classic favorite.

Ingredients

Dough

4 1/4 to 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 package active dry yeast
1 cup mashed potato
1 cup milk
1/3 cup butter, cut into pieces so it melts faster
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs

Filling

2 tablespoons softened butter
1 cup Nutella
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Cream Cheese Glaze

3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
1 to 2 tablespoons milk
pinch of salt

Instructions

Whisk together 1 1/2 cups of flour and the yeast in the mixing bowl of a stand mixer.
In a medium saucepan, combine mashed potato, milk, butter, sugar, and salt. Heat and stir just until it reaches a temperature of about 120 degrees F (49°C).
With the mixer on LOW speed and using the paddle attachment, gradually add the mashed potato mixture to the flour and yeast. Then add the eggs. Increase speed to HIGH and beat for 2 minutes.
Return the mixer to LOW speed and gradually add another 2 1/2 cups of flour. Continue adding the remaining flour if the dough is still wet and sticky, until a soft dough forms.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for 4 to 5 minutes, incorporating a little more flour if necessary, until it is smooth and elastic. Place the kneaded dough in a large greased bowl, turning it once to coat all sides. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
While the dough is rising, grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Once the dough has doubled, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently punch it down to release the air. Cover with a kitchen towel and let it rest for 10 minutes.
Roll the rested dough out into an 18×12-inch rectangle. Evenly spread the softened butter and then the Nutella over the entire surface of the dough, leaving a small border on one long edge. Sprinkle the ground cinnamon over the Nutella. Starting with one of the long sides, carefully roll the dough up jellyroll style, forming a tight cylinder. Using a very sharp knife or unflavored dental floss, cut the log into 12 equal slices.
Arrange the sliced rolls, cut side down, in the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover the dish with a clean kitchen towel and let the rolls rise a second time for 30 minutes, or until they have doubled in bulk. During the last 10 minutes of the second rise, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190°C).
Bake the cinnamon rolls in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the tops are beautifully golden brown and the rolls are cooked through.
While the rolls are baking or cooling slightly, prepare the cream cheese glaze. In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened cream cheese until it is smooth and creamy. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar, milk (start with 1 tablespoon and add more as needed for desired consistency), and a pinch of salt until the glaze is smooth and lump-free.
Once the cinnamon rolls are out of the oven, allow them to cool for a few minutes before spreading the prepared cream cheese glaze generously over the warm rolls. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

Quick Mashed Potato Tip: To easily and quickly prepare the 1 cup of mashed potato needed for this recipe, scrub two medium russet potatoes clean. Pierce them several times with a fork. Microwave them for 5 to 7 minutes, or until they are easily pierced with a fork and completely tender. Let them cool slightly, then peel off the skin (it should come off easily). Mash the potato thoroughly with a fork or potato masher until smooth, ensuring no lumps remain. Allow it to cool further to the required temperature before adding to the dough mixture.

Nutrition

Calories:
517
kcal

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

These Nutella Cinnamon Rolls are more than just a sweet treat; they’re an experience. From the soft, potato-infused dough to the rich, swirled Nutella filling and the irresistible cream cheese glaze, every element comes together to create a truly memorable baked good. Whether you’re making them for a special breakfast, a festive brunch, or simply to satisfy a sweet craving, these rolls are guaranteed to impress. Gather your ingredients, follow these steps, and prepare to enjoy the best Nutella cinnamon rolls you’ve ever tasted!