Soft, tender bread layered with creamy mascarpone and sweet Kahlua liquer served under a blanket of Kahlua infused cream cheese frosting. Tiramisu Cinnamon Rolls are the same classic rolls but with creamy coffee twist!
It's time for dessert fusion! Today we're mashing up two dessert classics into one fluffy, creamy, tender, sweet dessert that can also be served for a sweet breakfast treat if you're so inclined. (I am so inclined).
If sushi can become a burrito, then tiramisu can definitely become cinnamon rolls, right?
Why tiramisu cinnamon rolls are aaaaamazing
Don't ask me why, but if you served up slices of traditional tiramisu for breakfast for brunch you'd probably get some looks. I suppose it depends on the company. However, somehow, if you serve up sweet delicious dessert in bread form it some how becomes brunch acceptable.
So, first order of business, tiramisu rolls are your ticket to dessert for breakfast.
Second reason, the dough for these rolls is one of my absolute favorite yeast doughs. Simple to make, it requires a rise in the bowl and then a second rise after the rolls are cut and placed in the pan. The result is flaky, super soft, dangerously easy to eat rolls that will also be soaked in creamy mascarpone, Kahlua cordial and a smidge of sugar.
Like their traditional ladyfinger soaked counterpart, these rolls come with their own 'Pick Me Up' by infusing the dough with espresso.
Oh, and let's not forget. When these little beauts come out of the oven we're going to slather them in sweet, tangy, and coffee liquer infused frosting because OF COURSE WE ARE.
How to make them
Start with getting that dough all yeasty, foamy, and fluffy. Buttermilk is a delicious start for that, it's tangy and luscious. If you don't have buttermilk - or don't want to buy a whole container to use ½ cup - you can use whole milk. Side note: leftover buttermilk makes a wonderful marinade for chicken.
The dough comes together easily in a standing mixer - no kneading involved yay! - then a double rise. Once in the bowl and then again once the rolls are cut and placed in the pan.
Left to Right: dough just after mixing, dough after the first rise, dough after tipping out of the bowl onto a floured surface, dough after rolling into 18x12 rectangle
Once your dough is shaped into roughly an 18x12 rectangle, then the fun stuff happens. By fun I mean the butter, sugar, booze, and cheese. Brush with butter and Kahlua, sprinkle with sugar, top with dollops of mascarpone.
Tip: let the mascarpone come to room temperature to make breaking it into 'dollops' easier. You can do this with a spoon, but I find by hand to be the fastest, easiest way.
Roll the dough as tight as you can. I like to save a little butter to brush on the seam of the dough (the outside edge) to help seal it. Cut the dough with a serrated knife or use a piece of fine string/thread to form 1" rounds. You'll want to brush the tops with a little butter before letting them rise.
Keep your aluminum foil at the ready. Check the rolls a little over halfway through the baking. If the tops of the rolls are browning with a decent amount of time left, cover with foil until the baking is finished.
While your rolls are baking, whip up the frosting. A simple combination of Kahlua, mascarpone, and confectioners sugar. Pour the frosting over the hot rolls once baking is done. My best recommendation is to cut one out of the pan and enjoy before even thinking about sharing with anyone else....I mean, test it, make sure it's up to par.
When these hot, sweet, coffee laced rolls are dished up enjoy the quiet while your pals or family sink their teeth into this tiramisu inspired treat!
If you need more fluffy rolled sweets in your life, try these same rolls with a gingerbread twist! Another great way to serve up tender dough is savory stuffed with mozzarella. Check out other recommended recipes at the top of the page.
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment! Don't forget to tag @hungerthirstplay on social media or post a picture on Pinterest.
Tiramisu Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- ½ cup + 1 tablespoon buttermilk
- ¼ cup espresso (about 1 shot)
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar (divided)
- 1 tablespoon dry active yeast
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 ¼ cups all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder
- ½ cup butter (softened and cut in pieces)
For the filling:
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter (divided)
- 1 tablespoon kahlua or coffee liquer
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 8 ounces mascarpone (room temperature)
For the frosting:
- 8 ounces mascarpone (softened)
- 2 cups confectioners sugar
- ¼ cup kahlua or coffee liquer
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: Heat the buttermilk over medium-low heat to 105°F to no more than 110°F. In a medium bowl combine the buttermilk, espresso and 1 tablespoon of the granulated sugar. Sprinkle with the yeast and let sit for 5 minutes until foamy. Whisk the eggs and vanilla into the yeast mixture until smooth.
- In the bowl of a standing mixer, combine the flour, remaining sugar (⅓ cup minus 1 tablespoon), salt, and espresso powder using the paddle attachment. With the mixer on the lowest speed, slowly add the milk mixture until combined. Add the butter 1 piece at a time beating until incorporated before adding the next pieceIncrease the speed to medium-high for 5 minutes. The dough will be silky, smooth and have pulled away from the sides of the bowl.
- Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel. Let rise for 1 to 2 hours in a warm spot or until double in size. While the dough rises, grease a 9x13 baking dish with butter and set aside. (see notes for faster rise tips)
- Once the dough has doubled in size, tip the dough out onto a well floured surface. Roll out into an 18" x 12" large rectangle.
- For the filling: in a small bowl, combine the melted butter and coffee liquer and brush all over the dough. Sprinkle the granulated sugar over the dough, leaving a ½" to 1" border. Top with dollops of mascarpone cheese all over the dough.
- Tightly roll the dough from one long end to the other. Using a string or a sharp serrated knife, cut the dough log into 1" rounds. Brush with 2 tablespoons melted butter, cover with a kitchen towel and let rise for 30 to 45 minutes in a warm place.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the buns for 45 to 50 minutes - cover the buns with aluminum foil for the last 15 minutes of baking if they've started to brown by the 30 minute mark.
- Make the frosting: In a medium bowl, whisk together the softened mascarpone and powdered sugar. Add the Kahlua or coffee liquer and slowly increase the speed until the liquid is combined and a smooth frosting is formed.
- Pour the frosting over the freshly baked buns and serve immediately. If serving at a later time, reheat the buns in the baking dish then pour the frosting over just before serving.
Notes
- To speed up the rise process, preheat the oven to 200°F. Once preheated, turn the oven off. Place the covered bowl of dough inside and leave the oven cracked. The dough should be double in size in 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- To speed up the second rise of the rolls once cut in placed in the baking dish, store the baking dish on top of the stove while the oven preheats (if your oven is located under your stove top.) Rotate about 15 to 20 minutes in so one part of the pan isn't hotter than another.
- Leftover buttermilk is great in other baked goods, pancakes, or use as a marinade for chicken!
Nutrition
Darcy says
There is 1/2 c butter for the dough, but the instructions never mention adding it. What am I missing?
Lauren says
Hey there! Sorry about that and thanks for catching it! The butter should be incorporated on piece at a time after the milk mixture is added.
sara says
These look like my kind of treat. What a great spin on cinnamon rolls; I have never had anything like these!
Deseree says
I love how simple these are to make. I know this would be a hit with my family!
Jacquelyn Hastert says
These went down yesterday morning and they were amazing! They are definitely going on our list of make again breakfasts!
Lauren says
Oh I am so happy to hear they were a hit! Thanks for coming back to leave a review!
Eyeleaf says
So where's the cinnamon in this? Its a tiramisu rolls if there's no cinnamon in it.
Lauren says
Yes, you are right! Technically, these are tiramisu sweet rolls! Growing up we always referred to any sort of baked goods like this as cinnamon rolls so it just stuck. The method is the same, we're just making these taste like tiramisu. Thank you!
Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life says
Tiramisu cinnamon rolls sound absolutely divine! Love the boozy filling and frosting! We'll definitely have to make this some weekend.
Amanda Mason says
It's been a long time since I had homemade cinnamon rolls so I need to make these! I love tiramisu so I know I'll love these! Thanks for such an amazing recipe!
Chef and Steward says
You are going to get me in trouble with this recipe! Honestly, salivating thinking of how easily I would eat half this tray in one go! Perfect for a group breakfast!
Kallee says
Cinnamon rolls are so good, but with this added twist of flavor they have to be divine.
Jenni LeBaron says
Cinnamon rolls are my breakfast weakness! These look perfectly fluffy and sweet too. What a great way to spin the classic roll into something creative and delicious!
Aleta says
Uh... drooling over here! Cinnamon bun meets coffee? Yes please! My husband is going to lose his mind when I make these for him!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Fusion foods are the best and dessert fusions are at the top of the list for me! Your use of Kalua and mascarpone for a Tiramisu twist on cinnamon rolls is out of this world genius! Thanks for sharing this one!
Heather says
You're right serving tiramisu for breakfast might get some strange looks. But not these cinnamon rolls. Holy moly. I wish I could reach into the screen and grab one! Going to have to try for my next brunch!!
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
Oh my gosh, how delicious and decadent!! Tiramisu is so delicious - combining it with cinnamon rolls!? You're a genius! I've got to try this soon!
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
Oh I love the twist you did on classic cinnamon rolls! My husband will absolutely love these! Guess I found what I’m making this weekend!
Leslie Kiszka says
I'm sorry, WHAT NOW?! God dammit, I'm never going to be bikini-ready for the honeymoon if you keep making stuff like this.