Ease of Preparation: Medium
Yield: 9 Buns
Gusto TV’s ‘Let’s Brunch’ is a fun show starring warm host Vanessa Gianfrancesco, and this recipe for Sticky Chocolate Skillet Buns was featured in an episode about Farmhouse-style favorites… Made from scratch, the yeast leavened dough is amped up with touches like dark cocoa powder and creamy, tangy sour cream. After a rise, the dough is rolled and filled with yummy cinnamon sugar, chocolate chips, and butter- then, after a bake, the sticky pastry is topped with even more butter, blended with cream cheese, icing sugar, and vanilla for the sweet finishing touch!
Ingredients:
Dough:
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) active dry yeast
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) sugar, divided
- ½ cup (120 ml) warm water, divided
- ¼ cup (60 ml) butter, softened
- 1 egg
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt
- 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream
- ½ cup (120 ml) cocoa powder
- 3 cups (710 ml) flour + more for counter
- Oil, for greasing bowl
Filling:
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) butter, softened and cooled + more for brushing
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons (10 ml) cinnamon
- ½ cup (120 ml) semisweet mini chocolate chips
- Butter, for brushing
Icing:
- ¾ cup (180 ml) cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) butter, softened
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) vanilla
- 2 cups (470 ml) icing sugar
Method:
Add the yeast and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) sugar to a bowl. Add ¼ cup (60 ml) water and stir. Let sit 10 minutes.
Add the remaining sugar, butter, egg, and salt and mix together. Add sour cream and remaining water and mix in. Add cocoa powder and flour and mix in.
Turn onto a lightly-floured counter and knead 5 minutes. Form into a ball and place in a lightly-greased bowl. Cover with a tea towel and let rise 3-4 hours, or until doubled in size.
Remove ball to a lightly-floured counter and roll out into an 18-inch x 9-inch (46 cm x 23 cm) rectangle with the long side facing you.
To make the filling, blend together the butter, sugar, and cinnamon. Use a pastry brush to brush butter all over the surface of the dough, then spread the butter-sugar mixture on top. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top. Tightly roll the long side of the dough away from you. Roll to make sure the seam is on the counter. Cut into 9 pieces. Lightly grease a 9-inch (23 cm) skillet. Arrange the pieces in the skillet. Cover with a tea towel and let rise 90 minutes, or until doubled in size.
Bake in the oven at 375 F (190 C) for 25-30 minutes. Let cool slightly.
Meanwhile, make the frosting by beating together the cream cheese and butter. Add the vanilla and mix in. Add the icing sugar and mix to combine.
Spread frosting on top of the warm sticky buns. Serve.