Pistachio Chocolate Babka Rolls (Video)

If you love all things pistachio and chocolate, you have to try these soft and fluffy pistachio chocolate babka rolls with a simple sugar glaze! They’re made with soft and buttery dough, filled with rich and decadent cinnamon chocolate filling and tons of salted, roasted pistachios! A simple sugar glaze at the end gives these rolls a beautiful, glossy finish. These babka rolls are a delightful treat to enjoy with coffee or tea!

Watch My Chocolate Babka Rolls Video Tutorial

Watch my YouTube pistachio chocolate babka rolls video tutorial for step-by-step instructions and see just how easy these are to make! Want to stay up to date on my newest recipes? Make sure to subscribe to my website email list and my YouTube channel for notifications.

Ingredients for Pistachio Chocolate Rolls

Here are my tips for the main ingredients you’ll need to make these delicious chocolate babka rolls. Find the full list of ingredients in the printable recipe card below.

• Yeast – this recipe will work great with either regular or instant yeast. I prefer to use instant yeast as it’s a huge time saver. I’ll have instructions for using both below.
• All-Purpose Flour – use regular flour or bread flour for this recipe. This recipe is not adapted for gluten-free flour.
• Butter – unsalted butter works best when it comes to baking recipes. It gives you more control over the salt content.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips – you can also use bittersweet or dark baking chocolate.  
• Cocoa Powder – just about any type of cocoa powder will work great for the filling recipe. If you want an extra chocolate-y filling, try using dark cocoa powder.
• Pistachios – salted, roasted pistachios are a great option for this recipe. The saltiness balances deliciously with the sweet chocolate filling.
• Fine Sugar – for the filling. This type of sugar dissolves quickly, making it ideal for the filling. You can use regular sugar; just cook the filling for longer over a lower heat until it dissolves.

Preparing the Chocolate Filling

I recommend preparing the chocolate filling first before the dough, as it needs time to cool and thicken. If you’re using regular yeast and have time in between, you can flip flop the steps.

1. For the filling: place the butter into a small saucepan and melt over medium heat.
2. Add the chocolate chips, cocoa powder, fine sugar, and cinnamon. Whisk and continue to cook over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, until the sugar is dissolved and you have a smooth mixture.
3. If you are using regular sugar instead of fine sugar, cook the filling over low heat for 5 to 6 minutes, until the sugar is dissolved.
4. Remove the filling from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Transfer the filling into a bowl and let it cool at room temperature. As it cools, it will thicken. You want the filling to the consistency of creamy peanut butter or Nutella for spreading.

Making Yeast Dough for Babka Rolls

Once you have completed the filling ready and it’s chilling, it’s time to make the yeast dough. Follow these instructions for using instant yeast.

1. Heat the milk in the microwave or on the stovetop to about 110 to 120°F. Pour the milk into a large mixing bowl.
2. Add the yeast, eggs, sugar, melted butter (cooled), salt, and vanilla extract. Whisk everything together for a minute, until the eggs are well beaten.
3. Gradually begin adding in the flour, whisking it in at first, then switching to a spatula once the batter thickens.
4. Once the batter pulls into a dough ball, transfer it onto a well-floured work surface. Knead the dough, adding the remaining flour, until it’s smooth and elastic, for about 5 to 7 minutes.
5. If the dough is still too sticky, you can add additional flour.
6. Cover the dough with a towel and let it rest for 15 minutes before rolling it out.

Instructions for Using Regular Yeast

Here are the instructions for the dough recipe if you prefer to use regular yeast instead of instant yeast.

1. For the dough: first heat the milk in the microwave or on the stovetop to approximately 110°F to 120°F.
2. Pour the warm milk into a large mixing bowl and sprinkle the yeast over the top. Let the mixture stand for about 5 to 8 minutes, until the yeast starts to foam and becomes fluffy.
3. Next, add the melted butter (cooled), eggs, sugar, salt, and vanilla and whisk everything together until the eggs are well-beaten.
4. Gradually begin adding the flour, about 1 cup at a time, whisking well after each addition. Once the batter thickens, switch to a spatula and stir in more flour.
5. Once the dough pulls together into a ball, transfer it onto a well-floured work surface. Continue to add the remaining flour, kneading the dough.
6. The dough should be very soft and barely sticky. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes, until it’s smooth and elastic.
7. Place the dough back into the mixing bowl, cover with a towel, and let the dough proof for 1 to 1 ½ hours, until doubled in size. Keep the dough in a warm corner away from cold drafts.
8. Once the dough has proofed, punch it down gently and proceed to with the recipe.

How to Make Pistachio Chocolate Babka Rolls

After resting (or proofing) the dough, it’s time to make some pistachio chocolate babka rolls!

1. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Gently shape the dough into a rectangle, then roll out into an 18×20-inch rectangle.
3. Drop dollops of the chocolate filling evenly all over, then use an off-set spatula to spread the filling evenly to the edges.
4. Sprinkle finely diced pistachios over the chocolate, gently pressing them into the chocolate so they don’t fall off.
5. Use a sharp knife and divide the sheet of dough into 12 even strips, about 1 ½-inches wide. Watch my video tutorial to see how it’s done.
6. To shape each bun – begin twisting the strip of dough from both ends, creating a twisted rope. Gently and loosely shape the rope into a bun shape; you don’t want the dough to be too tightly pressed. Tuck the tail under of the strip underneath the bun.
7. Place the buns onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them at least 3 inches apart. I usually do 6 buns per baking sheet.
8. Next, apply the egg wash. Beat an egg in a small ramekin with a tablespoon of water, then use a pastry brush to apply the wash generously over each bun.

Proofing & Baking Instructions for Rolls

Once you have the buns shaped, it’s time to let them proof!

1. Cover the buns on the baking sheets with tea towels and place them into a warm corner of the kitchen to proof for about 1 hour.
2. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F. Position the oven rack slightly higher than the middle.
3. Once the rolls are proofed, bake them at 350°F for 35 minutes. At the 20-minute baking mark, lay a sheet of foil over the top of the rolls. This will keep them from browning too much as they finish baking on the inside.

Making Easy Sugar Glaze

While the buns are baking, it’s time to prepare the simple sugar glaze. This glaze will give the babka rolls a beautiful, glossy finish!

1. For the sugar glaze: combine the water, sugar, and lemon juice in a small saucepan.
2. Cook the mixture over medium heat, bringing it to a simmer. Boil for 1 minute, then remove from the heat.
3. As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, use a pastry brush and apply a generous amount of sugar syrup over each roll, allowing the syrup to sink into the bread.
4. Repeat this process a few times for each roll, then allow them to cool.

Serving & Storing Suggestions

After coating the rolls in glaze, allow them to cool at room temperature for about 20 to 30 minutes before enjoying. These rolls are best enjoyed warm with coffee, tea, or milk.

Have some leftover rolls? Allow them to cool completely to room temperature, then wrap each roll individually in plastic food wrap and place into a ziplock bag or airtight container. Store the rolls at room temperature for up to 3 days; refrigerate or freeze for longer periods.

More Recipes to Try!

Enjoyed these delicious pistachio chocolate babka rolls? Check out some of my other recipes you’re sure to enjoy!

• Pistachio Honey Babka Bread – a beautiful, wreath shaped bread filled with pistachio paste, glazed with a honey syrup!
• Chocolate Pumpkin Babka Bread – this one is perfect for fall! With soft pumpkin dough filled with chocolate cinnamon filling.
• Pistachio Honey Cinnamon Rolls – soft and fluffy cinnamon rolls filled with pistachios and a drizzle of sweet honey!

Share it on Pinterest!