There’s something magical about warm, homemade cinnamon rolls—soft, fluffy, and dripping with sweet icing. But when you swirl Nutella into the mix? Oh, my stars, it becomes a breakfast-meets-dessert treat worth waking up early for.
I first stumbled across a shortcut recipe for Nutella cinnamon rolls using crescent dough. It was clever, but I couldn’t shake the thought: what if I tucked Nutella inside my trusty bread machine cinnamon roll dough? The result is exactly what you’d hope—pillowy rolls layered with rich hazelnut chocolate and a cozy dusting of cinnamon. Perfect for lazy weekends, breakfast-for-dinner nights, or freezing for a sweet surprise later.
And yes, this recipe is bread-machine friendly, so you get all the homemade flavor without all the heavy kneading.
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons warm milk
- 3 tablespoons oil (vegetable or canola)
- 1 whole egg, lightly beaten
- 2 egg whites
- ½ cup sugar
- 4 cups bread flour (add more if dough feels too sticky)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 packet (or 3 teaspoons) yeast
For the Filling
- 1 ½ cups Nutella (room temperature for easy spreading)
- 4 tablespoons ground cinnamon
For the Icing
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 6 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (homemade if you’ve got it)
- 1–2 teaspoons milk, if needed to thin
Directions
- Make the Dough
Add dough ingredients to your bread machine in the order listed. Make a small well in the flour and add the yeast last. Run on the “dough cycle” (about 90 minutes). Check after 5–10 minutes of kneading—add a tablespoon of flour if too wet or a teaspoon of water if too dry. - Shape the Rolls
Once the dough cycle is complete, transfer dough onto a lightly floured counter. Roll into a large rectangle. Spread Nutella evenly over the surface, leaving the edges bare. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Roll into a log and slice into 10–15 pieces. - Bake
Place rolls into two greased round cake pans (6 rolls each). Bake at 325°F for about 20 minutes, until golden brown and baked through. - Ice the Rolls
While baking, whisk together melted butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Add milk a splash at a time until smooth and spreadable. Slather over the hot rolls straight from the oven so it melts into every swirl.
Tips & Tricks
- Make Ahead: Assemble rolls the night before, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Bake in the morning for a stress-free breakfast.
- Freeze for Later: Bake both pans, then wrap and freeze one for quick breakfasts or an easy dessert down the road.
- Extra Gooey: Warm your Nutella slightly before spreading—it makes rolling easier and the swirls extra decadent.
Why You’ll Love These Rolls
Nutella turns a simple cinnamon roll into something truly indulgent. These rolls strike the perfect balance—soft bread machine dough, gooey chocolate-hazelnut filling, and a buttery icing that melts into every bite. Whether you serve them fresh from the oven with coffee or stash a pan in the freezer for a rainy day, this recipe is one you’ll want to bake again and again.
