Triple Coffee Sweet Rolls Recipe
Ingredients
This recipe was developed at its original yield. Ingredient amounts are automatically adjusted, but cooking times and steps remain unchanged. Note that not all recipes scale perfectly.
Original recipe (1X) yields 12 servings
Dough:
- 1/4 cup instant espresso powder
- 2 cups very hot milk, at 190F (88C)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon fine salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 4 cups all-purpose flour, or more as needed
Filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
Icing:
- 1 1/4 cups confectioner's sugar
- 3 tablespoons espresso or strong coffee, or more as needed
Directions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine 1/4 cup instant espresso powder with the hot milk. Allow it to cool until warm to the touch, about 95F (35C).
- Add the yeast, egg, white sugar, salt, and 6 tablespoons melted butter to the mixer. Gradually add most of the flour, then attach the dough hook and knead on low speed until the dough starts to come together and pull away from the sides of the bowl.
- Increase the speed slightly and continue kneading until you have a smooth, elastic dough, adding more flour as needed. This should take about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Remove the dough from the mixer, form it into a ball, and place it back in the bowl. Cover with a cloth and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 2 hours, or until doubled in size.
- While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. Melt 1/2 cup butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar, cocoa powder, and espresso powder. Once combined, remove from the heat and let it cool. Stir the mixture to form a thick, spreadable paste.
- Once the dough has risen, press out any air and reshape it into a ball. For the best results, place the dough in a plastic bag and refrigerate overnight. If you're short on time, you can proceed immediately.
- Lightly flour a clean surface and roll the dough into a 12x18-inch rectangle. Dust the top of the dough lightly with flour.
- Spread the filling evenly over the dough, leaving a few inches of one long side free of filling. Lightly brush the exposed edge with water to help seal the seam.
- Starting with the long side that has the filling, carefully roll the dough into a tight log, finishing with the seam side down.
- Generously butter a 9x12-inch or 13-inch baking dish, and line the bottom with buttered parchment paper if desired. Cut the dough log into 12 equal pieces using a piece of string. Place the rolls into the prepared dish.
- Cover the rolls with a clean towel and let them rise in a warm spot for 1 to 2 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven to 375F (190C). Bake the rolls for about 30 minutes, or until they are puffed and golden brown at the edges. The internal temperature should read 200F (95C) when measured with an instant-read thermometer.
- Let the rolls cool for 15 minutes before icing. For the icing, whisk together the confectioner's sugar and 3 to 4 tablespoons of espresso or strong coffee. Add more coffee if necessary to achieve a drizzle-able consistency.
- Drizzle the icing over the rolls and allow them to cool slightly before serving, or enjoy them warm.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving
- Calories: 402
- Total Fat: 15g (19% Daily Value)
- Saturated Fat: 9g (45% Daily Value)
- Cholesterol: 54mg (18% Daily Value)
- Sodium: 165mg (7% Daily Value)
- Total Carbohydrate: 60g (22% Daily Value)
- Dietary Fiber: 1g (5% Daily Value)
- Total Sugars: 27g
- Protein: 7g (14% Daily Value)
- Calcium: 73mg (6% Daily Value)
- Iron: 2mg (13% Daily Value)
- Potassium: 182mg (4% Daily Value)
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Origin Story of Triple Coffee Sweet Rolls
The Triple Coffee Sweet Rolls are a relatively modern creation, blending the rich, bold flavor of coffee with the soft, sweet, and fluffy texture of a traditional roll. Their invention can be attributed to the growing trend of incorporating coffee into baked goods, a movement that has gained popularity in the past few decades. These rolls are an extension of classic cinnamon rolls, but with a coffee-centric twist that elevates the flavor profile for coffee lovers.
Regional Characteristics
While coffee-flavored pastries are loved worldwide, the Triple Coffee Sweet Rolls are a staple in many American kitchens, especially as a special treat for breakfast or brunch. The recipe includes espresso powder both in the dough and the filling, which gives it a unique depth of flavor that is not typically found in traditional rolls. The inclusion of coffee in multiple layersfrom the dough to the icingsets this recipe apart from other coffee-flavored pastries.
How It Differs From Similar Dishes
What makes the Triple Coffee Sweet Rolls stand out from other sweet roll varieties is their use of coffee in three distinct ways: the dough, the filling, and the icing. While other pastries, like cinnamon rolls or sticky buns, may feature a spiced filling or a caramelized sugar topping, these rolls bring coffee to the forefront in a way that enhances the sweetness without overwhelming the palate. The inclusion of cocoa powder in the filling and a light glaze instead of a heavier frosting adds a balance of flavors that appeals to coffee aficionados.
Where Are These Rolls Typically Served?
Triple Coffee Sweet Rolls are a popular choice for brunch gatherings, especially among coffee lovers. They can be found in bakeries that specialize in artisanal baked goods or in home kitchens during holidays and weekend mornings. The combination of rich coffee and soft, buttery dough makes these rolls perfect for pairing with a fresh cup of coffee or espresso. They're often enjoyed as a comforting breakfast or as an indulgent afternoon snack.
Interesting Facts About Coffee Rolls
Did you know that coffee-flavored pastries have been around since the 19th century? The tradition of baking coffee-infused goods began in Europe, where coffee became a staple in households during the Industrial Revolution. Today, coffee rolls like the Triple Coffee Sweet Rolls are a unique way to incorporate everyone's favorite beverage into baked treats. Another fun fact is that the use of espresso powder in baking can enhance the flavor of chocolate as well, making it a versatile ingredient in desserts beyond coffee-based recipes!
FAQ about Triple Coffee Sweet Rolls Recipe
Comments
GoofyIce1733
03/16/2024 07:11:15 AM
Another Chef John classic! I prefer things to be a little sweeter than he does so I added 2 tablespoons of sugar to the dough. I have no idea if the 2 cups of milk is a typo or not. I had to add a lot of additional flour but it still came out tender and fluffy. I will definitely make this again.
Benjamin Harris
01/20/2024 01:09:06 AM
Made it for lunch — gone too fast.
ArtsyRum8849
12/28/2023 04:23:29 AM
My husband, who has never baked anything before, followed Chef John's recipe from the YouTube video, and the results were PHENOMENAL. Not only that, it turns out the dough is amazingly versatile. We made a second batch without the coffee and used it as a base for mini cheesecakes. Worked a treat! Now we're thinking of trying other combinations.
SandyMelt7293
12/25/2023 06:29:12 PM
The amount of milk is DEFINITELY a typo. a 1:2 ratio of milk to flour will never give you a workable dough. I am almost 100% certain that it was meant to say 1 cup milk, not 2. A 1:4 ratio is pretty standard for this type of dough. I couldn't give this more than 3/5 due to this as it's a pretty major issue. On a separate note, this is not a very sweet roll, even with the icing. It uses way less sugar than most cinnamon/sweet rolls in the dough. That is fine if it's what you're expecting, but be aware that this differs from what most people are probably expecting. My family all said it was good, but it would have been better with a little more sugar, or with a thicker coffee/cream cheese frosting instead of the thinner icing. That being said, if you correct the milk amount, and you are expecting more of a "black coffee" flavor profile that isn't super sweet, you can get a really good outcome.
SweetThyme6135
12/24/2023 01:03:23 AM
Awesome flavor. Only issue is that the recipe calls for 2 cups of milk for the dough. Way too much. Should take @ 1 cup. Other than that great recipe. My new favorite sweet roll!!!